Alexandrine Parakeet - Diet in Captivity

Diet in Captivity

A fresh mix (with or without dehydrated fruits and/or vegetables) of various seeds, grains and nuts generally represent the typical basic diet. Many high-quality pelleted parrot foods are available and most Alexandrines will take to them readily. Pellets are generally nutritionally supeior to packaged seed mixes found in pet stores, and contain less fat. Alexandrines are not particularly prone to obesity, but high-fat diets may lead to fatty-liver disease, which can be fatal, and at the very least will lead to shortened life-span and reduced quality of life. Even when feeding a pelleted base diet, about 10% seed is appropriate. Variety is important both nutritionally and for your bird's enjoyment. Alexandrines are generally not picky eaters and will try almost anything once. Among the food items you can supplement the base diet with are: Cooked and fresh foods, whole grains and cereals, oatmeal, cooked pasta (in moderation), they enjoy edible blossoms and flowers, such as carnations, chamomile, chives, dandelion, daylily, eucalyptus, fruit tree's blossoms, herbs' blossoms, hibiscus, honeysuckle, impatiens, lilac, nasturtiums, pansies, passion flower (passifloræ), roses, sunflowers, tulips, and violets, fruits with all pits discarded, larger seeds such as apple varieties should also be removed. banana, all berries varieties, all citrus varieties, grapes, kiwi, mango, melons, nectarine, papaya, peach, all pear varieties, plum. Vegetables, such as carrot, squash, cooked yams, broccoli, cucumber, beetroot, turnip, etc. legumes/pulses and commercial greens and weeds such as bok-choi, broccoli, cauliflower leaves, cabbage leaves, chicory, collard greens, dandelion leaves, endives, espadrille, kelp, mustard plant leaves, seaweeds, spirulina and water cress. Wild harvested greens and weeds such as Bromus, chickweeds, cocksfoot or orchard grasses, dandelions, dogstooth, elymus, fescues, marram grasses, milk thistles, oats and wild oats, plantain (the weed), poa genus (i.e. Blue, Meadow's, Spear, Tussock grasses) may also be given. Well cooked poultry, pork and beef may be given in small quantities, as well as hard-cooked egg (with the shell mixed in), and active culture yogurts. High-protein foods should be fed more often during moulting and breeding. Generally if it is safe for humans to eat, then it is safe for parrots, with a few exceptions. Avocado and rhubarb are reportedly highly toxic for all Parrot species and should be avoided. Onions and large quantities of garlic may lead to anemia in parrots and intake of these should be limited, even though they are not immediately toxic. Parrots do not possess the needed enzymes to properly digest raw dairy products, and although many parrots love cheese and milk, intake should be limited. Avoid any foods that contain caffeine (including chocolate) and foods with high processed sugar content, and that are high in salt or contain sulfites. Birds should never be given alcohol. Alexandrines are social eaters and will appreciate any tidbits of bird-safe human food shared with them at meal times.