My parrots diet is almost more important to me than my own. I’m always looking for nutrient dense foods that I can give him so he’s not missing out on any. If you’re anything like me then I’m sure your the same and always question something before you put it in your parrots mouth, after all they are like little children.
Fruit and vegetables are a staple in my parrots diet as they are packed with goodness for such little calories, plus he loves making a mess with a majority of them! But is every fruit safe for my parrot to eat? A couple of days ago I was snacking on some watermelon and wanted to give my bird share but I was unsure if he was allowed so I researched and have put all the information you need to know in this article.
The million dollar question… can parrots eat watermelon? Yes parrots can eat watermelon, it’s a delicious snack for your parrot and completely safe for them to eat. It’s also great because of the benefits it provides your parrot like vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium and magnesium. All of these things working together make watermelon a fantastic addition to your parrots diet.
Watermelon is also a great summer snack to cool your parrot down, speaking of, the water content is 92% so your parrot can be fed and hydrated all at once!
In this article I’m going to cover the benefits, if they can eat the seeds and other important things so read on!
Watermelon Benefits For Parrots
We know watermelon is good for our Parrots, but just how good is it? Let’s take a closer look at the nutritional content.
Here are the nutrients in 1 cup (152 grams) of raw, diced watermelon :
| Calories | 46 |
| Protein | 0.9g |
| Carbs | 11.5g |
| Fat | 0.2g |
| Sugar | 9.4g |
| Fiber | 0.6g |
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? Parrots utilize a lot of vitamin C just from being alive so it’s important to feed them foods rich in vitamin C like watermelon to counter this.
Other foods that provide an excellent source of vitamin C for your Parrot are :
- Peppers
- Kale, broccoli, cauliflower, and brussel sprouts
- Strawberries, mango, pineapple and kiwis
Vitamin A
Vitamin A produces something called keratin. In parrots this enables them to have those vibrant yellow, red and green feathers that we love so much about them, without enough vitamin A they wouldn’t have them.
Along with playing a crucial role in your parrots feathers vitamin A is also important for the health of multiple organs like the heart, kidneys and reproductive system. Vitamin A is also crucial for a healthy immune system in birds.
The symptoms of vitamin A deficiency in parrots are :
- Sneezing and nasal discharge
- Periorbital swelling
- Conjunctivitis
- Poor feather quality and feather picking
- Anorexia
Parrots on an all seed diet are much more likely to be deficient in vitamin A.
Potassium
Potassium is a mineral useful for processing glucose and metabolizing proteins. It also controls and regulates your parrots heart health therefore in turn watermelon can actually make your parrot live longer! Potassium can also improve bone health along with helping with muscles and nerves.
If your parrot is deficient in potassium it may show symptoms as : convulsions, poor egg quality, weakness in the muscles and possibly may even be life threatening.
Can Parrots Eat Watermelon Seeds?
Yes parrots can eat watermelon seeds, infact the seeds are where a lot of nutrients in watermelons are found. They are a rich source of proteins, vitamins, omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, magnesium, zinc, copper, potassium and more. However a lot of the calories are in the seeds so be careful about how much they eat, we don’t want our parrots getting fat!
How You Should Feed Watermelon To Your Parrot
Parrots enjoy larger bits of food as it’s more enjoyable for them so try not to cut your watermelon too small for them.
Are There Any Risks To Feeding Your Parrot Watermelon?
The good news is there’s no immediate toxins found in watermelon that are going to put your parrot in any life threatening danger.
What Other Foods Can Your Parrot Eat?
You know watermelon is 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 Quaker Parrots Eat Watermelon?
Yes Quaker parrots can eat watermelon. It contains plenty of vitamins, nutrients and antioxidants that your Quaker parrot will thank you for.
Can Parrots Eat Honeydew Melon?
Yes parrots can eat honeydew melon it’s completely safe for them and contains no toxins.
Watermelon For Parrots – Final Thoughts
Watermelon is a great snack for parrots – it contains plenty of goodness for them to enjoy and benefit from. However it shouldn’t be too much of a staple in your parrots diet and only be given as a snack the odd time.
Your parrots diet is crucial to them and it’s up to you as the owner to make sure they are getting everything they need to maintain a healthy and happy life. The better quality diet your bird has, the longer they’ll be here with you so remember that!