The Exotic Bird Diet

Exotic birds need a good and complete diet in order to live long healthy lives. This can be achieved with a well balance pelleted diet in addition to fresh fruits and vegetables. The diet of an exotic bird can be confusing but with these helpful tips, you'll be well on your way.

Feeding your bird a name brand pelleted diet is the best course of action. Yes, there are many seed diets on the market that can be fed, but many are lacking in balanced nutrition. In the wild, a bird knows what to eat in order to remain healthy, but in our homes they don't have those choices. So, it's up to us to give them the best. Research the dietary needs of your bird's species and then find a pellet that best matches its needs.

Any diet should be supplemented with a generous amount of fresh vegetables. I personally feed a frozen vegetable mix to which I add fresh broccoli, carrots, squash and a few green leafy vegetables that are in season (mustard, kale, etc.). I also use different fresh vegetables to keep things interesting for my birds. Make sure all vegetables are well cleaned and not too warm when feeding.

Fruits should be offered in moderation and with a great deal of caution. Sometimes fruits from other countries can have toxic pesticides on them. The pesticides hardly effect humans, but can be deadly to birds. So when feeding fruits, make sure to wash thoroughly or use a commercial cleanser for fruit.

Any uneaten fresh food should be removed from the cage within 4 hours, before the food spoils. Birds can be extremely sensitive to molds from spoiling food, so don't take any chances.

Water is probably one of the most overlooked parts of a bird's diet. Tap water is safe for humans, but may contain additives and impurities that are unsafe for avian consumption. A good faucet filter will remove any impurities and make it safer.

With a little attention, your bird's diet can be as healthy as possible. Just research the dietary needs of the species and pick a polluted brand that is right for your bird. Supplement with fresh fruits and vegetables. Keep the drinking water safe and clean. Follow these tips and your avian companion will be around for many years to come.