As a Parrot parrot I’m always looking for new foods to introduce into my birds diet. I like to think of it the same way I think about my diet, I don’t want to eat the same foods everyday and I’m sure my parrot is the same. This leads to me researching a variety of different foods that I can possibly introduce to my Parrot.
At the same time I take extra caution around what I feed my Parrot as they’re like little kids, whatever you give them they are likely to eat it. Therefore I make sure that my Parrots diet consists of quality nutrients, vitamins and minerals (with a few snacks occasionally). Fruit is one of the things that ticks all of the boxes and one in particular is strawberries.
Which leads us on to the question… can Parrots eat strawberries? Yes Parrots can eat strawberries and as a Parrot owner you should be including them in your birds diet. Strawberries contain vital vitamins, nutrients and antioxidants that are only going to improve your Parrots quality of life.
In this article I’m going to cover everything you need to know about feeding your Parrot strawberries like the benefits, any risks you should be aware of and more so read on!
Strawberries Benefits For Parrots
We know strawberries are good for our Parrots, but just how good are they? Let’s take a closer look at the nutritional content.
An 80g serving of strawberries provides:
| Calories | 26 |
| Protein | 0.6g |
| Fat | 0.2g |
| Carbs | 6g |
| Fiber | 1.6g |
Strawberries are an excellent source of fiber for Parrots, this helps their digestive system and makes them process food more efficiently along with improved bowel movements.
Along with these nutrients there’s also some vitamins and minerals that play a vital role in making strawberries such an appealing food.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C plays a large role within Parrots it has many benefits like boosting immune system, lowering blood pressure, keeps the cardiovascular system in check by cleaning plaque from your birds blood vessels and keeping cholesterol from oxidizing and many other things.
However the problem? Parrot utilize a lot of vitamin C just from being alive so it’s important to feed them foods rich in vitamin C like strawberries to counter this.
Other foods that provide an excellent source of vitamin C for your Parrot are :
- Peppers
- Kale, broccoli, cauliflower, and brussel sprouts
- Blackberries, mango, pineapple and kiwis
Antioxidants
Strawberries also contain a range of powerful antioxidants, including anthocyanins, ellagic acid, quercetin, and kaempferol. These wonderful things work together to maintain heart health and help regulate blood sugar levels.
How You Should Feed Strawberries To Your Parrot
Before preparing many fruits and vegetables it’s important to wash them first and they’re likely to contain pesticides and dirt – we don’t want our feathered friends getting sick. This needs to be priorised more with strawberries as they are one of the highest offender in pesticide residue!
To properly wash and clean strawberries, place the strawberries you intend to eat in a colander and run it under cold, running water. You can do this for anywhere from 10-20 seconds, but make sure that every single strawberry has been thoroughly rinsed. Pat the strawberries dry with a towel, then eat.
With strawberries there are no choking hazards because they are small enough already but you can chop them up and mix them along with other fruits if that’s what your Parrot prefers.
Are There Any Risks To Feeding Your Parrot Strawberries?
There are no immediately dangerous toxins found in strawberries that are going to be life threatening to your Parrot which is always relieving to hear as an owner however there are a few things you want to be careful of.
The main risk to your Parrot would be pesticides but if you read the paragraph above you now know how to correctly clean them. Secondly like most things in life too much of it will start to have negative effects and strawberries are no different – moderation is key!
What Other Foods Can Your Parrot Eat?
You know strawberries are safe for your Parrot to eat but if you’re like me then your always looking for new foods to improve your Parrots diet to create some variety and and include vital things that aren’t already in your birds diet.
So what other foods can your Parrot eat?
- Fruit & Vegetables
Foods like asparagus, broccoli, carrots, peppers, bananas, blueberries and pineapples are all fine and encouraged for your Parrot to eat.
- Nuts
Things like almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, pistachios and walnuts can be fed to your parrot. Just be wary of the fat content in some of them so they may need to be treated as a snack for your Parrot. We don’t want them getting fat!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Parrots Eat Strawberry Leaves?
Parrots can eat strawberry leaves and it won’t harm them as long as the strawberry has been thoroughly cleaned of any pesticides during preparation. You might find that your Parrot prefers the leaves over the berry itself!
Strawberries For Parrots – Final Thoughts
It’s important your Parrots diet is full of quality nutrients so you give them the best possible chance at a long, happy life – and strawberries are something that’s definitely recommended as it’s full of quality vitamins, nutrients and minerals. The only downside is the mess your Parrot is going to make while eating this delicious fruit however it’s worth it for the reward they get.