Hello, dear bird lovers. If you consider yourself a budgie or a parakeet parent, you must know the food habit and what home food a can parakeet eats.
But if you are new, how or what to feed these little creatures will be a bit puzzling. Don’t worry, have fun. This entire write-up is for you. You may find all your query answers in this article.
Like human beings, parakeet needs a variety of foods to fulfill their daily needs. They also need vitamins and minerals just like us. But they are vulnerable to some things, especially some foods.
What Home Food Can Parakeets Eat?
Generally, parakeets can eat a large variety of foods, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains, legumes, and seeds. These types of various foods play different roles in some way.
Some provide energy, and some provide their essential vitamins and minerals. So, you must keep all types of food on your little love’s diet to ensure proper nutrition.
Some think parakeets depend only on seeds, but you’re mistaken. They can eat foods that we eat, like chicken and eggs. And the most surprising thing is that parakeets have some foods to avoid for their health like us.
1. Vegetables
Vegetables are rich in vitamins and minerals and are the safest food you can feed your little love. It is the safest because veggies do not contain sugar like fruits, and the good thing is you need not be cautious much.
But one thing to remember is that you do simple research before adding a new type of vegetable to your bird’s diet.
And another important thing is to mention that vegetables like spinach contain many pesticides, so be careful before giving it to your little love.
One fruitful way to give veggies to your budgies is to steam or boil them. Then cut it into small pieces and offer it to your little love.
Here is the list of some safe veggies you can feed your budgies.
| Food Name | Vitamin/Nutrition |
|---|---|
| Asparagus | Vitamin C, Iron, Fiber |
| Carrots | Vitamin A, Vitamin K1, Beta Carotene |
| Zucchini | Carbohydrates, Protein, Fiber, Sugar |
| Pumpkin | Vitamins A, B1, B6, And C, Copper, Fiber, Folate, And Manganese |
| Broccoli | High Potassium, Protein, and Water |
| Beets | Vitamin C, Iron, Vitamin B6, Potassium, Magnesium, Folate |
| Cabbage | Vitamin C, Dietary fiber, Potassium |
| Bok Choy | Protein, Carbohydrates, Fiber, Sugar, And Fat |
| Brussels Sprout | Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Fiber, Carbohydrates, Potassium, Magnesium, and Iron |
| Butternut Squash | Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Fiber, Carbohydrates, Potassium, Magnesium, and Iron |
| Celery and its leaves | Protein, Fat, Carbohydrates, Fiber, Sugar |
| Cucumber | Vitamin K, Fiber, Carb, Protein, Magnesium |
| Dandelion | Protein, Fat, Carbohydrates, Fiber, And Sugar |
| Beans | High Protein, Fiber, Folate, Iron, Potassium, Magnesium |
| Endive | Protein, Fat, Carbohydrates, Fiber, And Sugar |
| Green lettuce | Vitamin C, Fiber, Potassium, Magnesium, and Iron |
| Green peas | High Potassium, Protein, and Carbohydrates |
| Kale | Vitamins A, K, B6, And C, Calcium, Potassium, Copper, And Manganese |
| Mustard Greens | Fat, Protein, And Carbohydrates |
| Parsley – give in moderation | Vitamin C, Carbohydrates |
| Peppers | Protein, Fat, Carbohydrates, Fiber, And Sugar |
| Radishes | Vitamin C |
| Raw green beans | Protein, Fat, Carbohydrates, Fiber, And Sugar |
| Spinach | High Antioxidants, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Iron, Folate, and Potassium |
| Sweetcorn | Vitamin C, Protein, Fat, Carbohydrate, and Potassium |
| Sweet potato (yam) | Vitamin C, Iron, Vitamin B6, Potassium, Magnesium, Sodium |
| Turnips | Vitamin C, Iron, Vitamin B6, Magnesium, Sodium, and Potassium |
| Tomato | Vitamin C, Potassium, Folate, And Vitamin K |
| Watercress | Vitamin C, Magnesium, Potassium |
These are just some of the vegetables that you can feed your budgies. These vegetables are common in our homes.
Always try to give fresh vegetables to your budgies. Never provide any canned veggies because they may contain preservatives that can harm these tiny creatures.
2. Fruits
Fruits are a great source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. And it’s a matter of comfort that your parakeet can eat almost every type of fruit. But do not give your little pet bird avocado because it contains persin, which is harmful to your budgie’s health.
And one more thing, before giving a new fruit to your little love, make sure that you’re feeding them the right fruit, which does not create any harm. Now check out the detailed list of fruits acceptable to your precious budgie.
| Food Name | Vitamin/ Nutrition |
|---|---|
| Apple | Fat, Protein, Carbohydrate, Sugar, And Fiber. |
| Cherries | Vitamins C, A, And K, Potassium, Magnesium, Calcium, And Beta-Carotene |
| Banana | Fat, Protein, Carbohydrate, Sugar, Fiber, And Potassium. |
| Apricot | High Beta Carotene, Protein, Fat, Carbohydrate, Fiber, Carbs |
| Figs | Magnesium, Potassium, Calcium, Iron, And Vitamin K |
| Kiwi | Calcium, Fiber, and Carbohydrate |
| Grapefruit | High Vitamin A, Carbs, Protein |
| Nectarines | Fat, Carbs, Protein, Fiber, Sugar, Potassium, Niacin (vitamin B3) |
| Lemons | Vitamin C, Iron, Magnesium |
| Oranges | High Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Calcium, and Potassium |
| Pear | Fat, Carbohydrate, Sugar, And Fiber |
| Cantaloupe | High Calcium, Carbohydrate, Fiber |
| Raisins | Carbohydrates, Protein, Lipid |
| Mango | High Vitamin A, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C |
| Melon | Carbohydrates, Fiber, Sodium, Protein. Sugar |
| Passion fruit | Vitamin C, Iron, Magnesium, Fiber, Carbohydrates, and Potassium |
| Strawberries | High Anti-Oxidants, vitamin C, iron, and vitamin B |
| Tangerines | Potassium, Thiamin, Folate, Carbs, Fiber, Protein |
| Watermelons | Vitamin C, Iron, Vitamin B6, Magnesium, Carbohydrates, and Potassium |
| Plums | Protein, Fat, Carbohydrates, Fiber, Sugar |
| Papaya | Vitamin C, A, B, E, and K, Protein, Fat, Fiber |
| Persimmons | Carbs, Protein, Fat, Fiber, Vitamin A, C, and E |
| Raspberries | High Anti-Oxidants, vitamin C, iron, and vitamin B |
| Pineapples | Vitamin C, Iron, Vitamin B6, Magnesium, Carbohydrates, and Potassium, and Fiber |
| Pomegranate | Vitamin C, Carbs, Fiber, Fat, And Protein |
| Coconut | Protein, Minerals, Carbs, Fiber, Fat |
| Blue Berries | High Anti-Oxidants, vitamin C, iron, and vitamin B |
| Peaches | Fat, Sodium, Carbohydrate, Sugar, Protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin C |
| Black Berries | High Anti-Oxidants, vitamin C, iron, and vitamin B |
This is a partial list of fruit that parakeets can eat, but this is the list of the common fruit you can find in your home. But remember that when you offer fruit with seeds to your parakeet, remove the seed before offering.
Another important thing is if your little love refuses a fruit at one time, that does not mean they would reject the fruit every time.
Offering the same fruit in a different style or mixing it with seeds can be the solution. You can provide a little bit to your parakeet while eating the same fruit.
3. Seeds
You can give seeds to your budgie. But not just seeds; other foods are also needed to fulfill the proper nutrition. So, you have to provide a portion of extra food to maintain your pet bird’s health. So what seeds can parakeets eat?
| Food Name | Vitamin/ Nutrition |
|---|---|
| Pumpkin Seeds | Antioxidants, Iron, Zinc, Magnesium, Fiber, Carbs, Protein, Fat |
| White sunflower seeds | vitamin E, Selenium, Protein, Carbs, Fiber |
| Striped sunflower seeds | Protein, Fiber, Healthy fats, Calcium, Iron, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Potassium |
| Millet seeds | Protein, Fat, Carbohydrates, Fiber, Sugar |
| Groats | Dry matter, Protein, Fiber, Fat |
| Canary seeds | Starch, Protein, Crude Fat, And Dietary Fiber |
| Safflower seeds | Calcium, Iron, Protein, Carbohydrates |
A budgie can eat more or less 1.5 to 2 teaspoons of seeds daily. But as seeds are not correctly nutritious, you must feed extra fruits and vegetables to ensure proper nutrition.
4. Grains
There you find mixed opinions about giving grains to your pet birds. That is, grains are less rich in vitamins and minerals than fruits and vegetables or contain fewer proteins than legumes.
But if your pet bird loves to eat grains, you may give them a small amount. Grains that are safe for the budgies are
| Food Name | Vitamin/ Nutrition |
|---|---|
| Quinoa | Water, Protein, Carbs, Sugar, Fiber, Fat |
| Barley | Vitamin B6, Magnesium, Iron, Protein, Carbohydrate, Potassium |
| Amaranth | Protein, Fat, Carbohydrates, Fiber, Manganese, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Iron, Zinc, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B5, And Folate |
| Rye | Carbohydrates, Fat, Protein, Fiber, and Sugar |
| Buckwheat | Protein, Fat, Carbohydrates, Fiber, Potassium, Phosphorous, Magnesium, And Calcium. |
| Oats | Carbs, Protein, Fat, And Fiber |
Many people feed their parakeet’s bread, and they love to have it too. If you want to provide bread to your parakeets, choose whole-grain bread and piece it as small as possible. Cooked Oats are a better option if you want to add grains to your parakeet’s regular diet chart.
5. Nuts
Nuts are full of nutrition and are loaded with antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids. And if your parakeet likes it, you may repeat it.
But only some of the nuts are suitable for your parakeet. Peanut is one of them. Peanut has the highest chance of being contaminated with mold that cannot produce toxins.
Let’s check out the safest nuts for your parakeets.
| Food Name | Vitamin/ Nutrition |
|---|---|
| Walnuts | Minerals, Copper, Folic Acid, Phosphorus, Vitamin B6, and Manganese |
| Brazil nuts | Saturated fat, Potassium, Carbohydrate, Protein, Magnesium, Vitamin B6, and Iron |
| Almonds | Protein, Fat, Carbohydrate, And Fiber |
| Horse chestnuts | Protein, Fat, Carbohydrates, Fiber, Sugar, and Sodium |
| Pecans | Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Calcium, Potassium, Zinc, Sodium, Minerals |
| Macadamia | Saturated fat, Dietary fiber, Protein, Vitamin C, Iron, Vitamin B6, Magnesium |
| Cashew | Iron, Vitamin B6, Magnesium, Protein, Fat |
| Hazelnuts | Fat, Protein, Carbs, Fiber, Vitamin E, Magnesium, Manganese |
| Acorns | Protein, Carbohydrates, Fat, Minerals Calcium, Phosphorus, And Potassium |
| Pistachios | Vitamin C, Iron, Vitamin B6, Magnesium, Carbohydrates, Fat, and Potassium |
| Monkey chestnuts | Protein, Fat, Carbohydrates, Fiber, Sugar |
One important thing is that you should finely chop the nuts before giving them to your budgie. Because all the nuts mentioned here are larger than the bird’s throat, ensure that the nuts contain no shall while giving them to your little love.
6. Snacks and Treats
Like all of us, your little budgie also deserves a special treat on a special day or a special achievement. There are a thousand ways to give your little love a surprise treat or snack. Here I would love to suggest special foods to your budgie to provide them with a treat.
- Pasta
- Peanut butter
- Millet
- Honey
- Boiled egg
- Meat
- Scrambled egg
- Cake
- Bread
- Toast
- White rice
- Oat grass
- Seed sticks with flavor
- Cuttlebone
- Grass seeds
- Mineral block
You can occasionally give this food, but only sometimes. And one surprising thing you may notice is that your parakeets eat that food happily and even much than its routine food.
A small portion of this food can’t create any harm; instead, it will bring a positive change in their food habit but giving these foods regularly can cause liver, kidney, and other organ damage.
7. Pellets
Pellets are one of the main foods of a parakeet. You can buy super-quality pellets from your nearest pet store. But don’t buy pellets from the grocery store because grocery stores have pellets with artificial colors and preservatives, which are unhealthy for your pet birds.
Cocktail mix, budgie, canary, and finch mix pellets you can feed your parakeets. But remember the amount must be from ½ to 1 teaspoon.
Toxic Foods for Parakeets
Foods, like fruits and veggies, are healthy, but sometimes it is harmful too. You should avoid some food, including fruits and vegetables, for the sake of your pet bird’s life.
Here is the list of foods that must be avoided at any cost.
- Chocolate
- Avocado
- Dairy products
- Onion and garlic
- Sugar-free candy
- Coffee
- Tea
- Comfrey
- Caffeinated tea
- Peanuts
- High-sodium, sugary and high-fat foods
- Apple seeds
- Alcohol
- Salty food
- Fried food
These types of food cause severe intoxication and sometimes lead to death.
Non-toxic But Parakeets Should Avoid
These foods are not toxic or harmful to the birds, but they can be. So, provide a tiny portion if you want to give these foods to your parakeets. Or you can avoid the foods for your little love’s health.
Foods that are non-toxic but it’s not recommended at all. Here is the list.
- Mushrooms
- Grit
- Crackers
- Tomatoes
- Peanuts
Conclusion
So, that’s all for today. You’ve got all your queries and answers about what to feed and not to feed your little parakeets. And you know earlier that what home food can parakeet eat. Follow our List and keep your little love healthy. Be a good parent of a feathery child.