A Nutritious Chemistry of Fruits & Parrots!

A Nutritious Chemistry of Fruits & Parrots!

In the wild, has a parrot ever snatched your fruit? Many of us might have experienced this while visiting a park or a bird sanctuary. Parrots enjoy having fresh fruits. It provides them with all the valuable nutrients that their body requires. Your pet parrot can do the same if you do not share fruits with him or her.

Fruits are a good source of carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals for parrots. Parrots in the wild eat fruits for a quick boost of energy. They need the vitamins and minerals to meet the nutritional need of their body. You must include around 5 to 10% of fruits in your parrot’s diet.

Almost every fruit is safe for your parrot to consume. They can eat apples, bananas, watermelon, papaya, guava, grapes, pineapple, cantaloupes, pomegranates, cherries, and every fruit available in the market. However, fruits such as apples, pears, cherries, apricots, peaches, nectarines, and plums should be fed to parrots without their seeds.

#TimeForFacts: The seeds in fruits such as apples, pears, cherries, watermelons, apricots, peaches, nectarines, and plums have a tiny amount of cardiac-toxic cyanide compound. The presence of this compound is toxic to birds and has proven to be lethal.

Seeds from other fruits and vegetables such as grapes, citrus fruits, squash, pumpkins, tomatoes, melons, mango, pomegranate, and berries are safe for their consumption.

Let’s take a “sneak-beak” into the benefits that these fruits can provide to your feathered one –

Bananas:

Bananas are full of potassium and manganese. It can improve your parrot’s heart health, muscles, and joints. Since it has lots of fiber, it can prevent constipation. Bananas are ricj in vitamin B and vitamin C. They do not only boost the energy levels but will also strengthen their immunity.

Apples:

The apple's skin contains a compound called ‘polyphenols’. This helps in controlling and maintaining blood sugar levels. Eating apples is an interesting task for parrots. They love tearing the outer skin of the apple to enjoy the inner fruit. Ensure to de-seed it before giving it to your parrot.

Watermelons:

The fruit contains 92% of water along with other essential nutrients such as Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and other minerals. The fruit provides anti-oxidant properties for parrots and is rich in Fibre.

Guava:

Guavas are known to be parrot’s best friends. If your feathered one is suffering from a digestive issue, Guava can help solve it. The fruit is a good source of Fibre, Vitamin C, and Vitamin B.

Mango:

King of the fruits is packed with Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Vitamin B5, Vitamin K, Niacin, Copper, and Manganese. The fruit had anti-oxidant properties. It can improve your parrot’s eyesight and can also reduce the harmful effects of aging.

Papaya:

After Guava, Papaya is the parrot's second favorite fruit. The nutrients present in it can improve your parrot's skin and feathers. It also improves the functioning of their brain.

Grapes:

Grapes have anti-oxidant properties that reduce stress in parrots. It also reduces the signs of aging. Black grapes are much healthier for parrots compared to green ones. They have properties that can protect the cells from damage.

Plums:

The fruits contain a total number of 15 essential vitamins and minerals. The number of antioxidants present in it is double compared to any other fruit. However, the seed of the fruit can be dangerous to your feathered one.

Pineapple:

The fruit includes Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Thiamin, Niacin, Pantothenic acid, Folate, Potassium, Magnesium, Iron, and Copper. They will enjoy its spiky juicy fruit. The fruit will boost their immunity and improve their digestive system.

Jackfruits:

The fruit is rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Riboflavin, Magnesium, Potassium, Copper, Manganese, Fiber, and Carotenoids. It can improve your parrot’s eyesight, heart health, and even immune system.

Kiwis:

Kiwis are full of flavour and nutrients. It is rich in Vitamin C and has higher levels of antioxidants, namely zeaxanthin and lutein. The properties help in improving their vision, boost their immunity and keep chronic infections away.

Fruits might have several properties that can benefit your parrot. However, it also has high levels of sugar. Therefore, you must feed him or her fruits in moderation. Too many fruits can lead to weight gain. Their main diet must include fresh vegetables, pellets, seeds, and a small portion of fruits. A small portion of fruits into their diet daily can benefit their overall health. Your parrot will later thank you for taking such great care of his or her dietary needs!