Human Foods You Can Safely Share with Your Parrots

Parrots are colourful, intelligent, and sociable pets that often want to join in mealtimes. 

Many bird owners wonder: Which human foods can I safely share with my parrot? 

It’s great to offer your feathered friend some variety beyond their usual pellets and seeds, but it’s essential to know which foods are safe and healthy for them.

Here’s a guide to some common human foods you can safely share with your parrot, helping you bond and keep their diet interesting.

Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

Parrots benefit enormously from fresh produce — they’re rich in vitamins, minerals, and fibre.

Apples (without seeds) — full of vitamin C and antioxidants.

Carrots — crunchy and packed with beta-carotene.

Broccoli — a great source of calcium and vitamin A.

Spinach and kale — leafy greens rich in iron and vitamins.

Peas — provide protein and fibre.

Bananas — rich in potassium but should be given in moderation due to sugar.

Blueberries and strawberries — antioxidant-rich berries make tasty treats.

Always wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly and cut them into manageable sizes.

Whole Grains and Legumes

Parrots can enjoy some cooked whole grains and legumes as an occasional treat:

Brown rice — a healthy carbohydrate source.

Quinoa — high in protein and easy to digest.

Cooked lentils or beans (unsalted, unseasoned) — excellent protein and fibre.

Oats — plain, cooked oats can be a warm treat.

Avoid grains with salt, sugar, or seasoning.

Nuts and Seeds

Nuts are a favourite treat but should be given sparingly due to high fat content:

Almonds, walnuts, and pistachios (unsalted and raw) — rich in healthy fats and protein.

Sunflower seeds — parrots love them but in moderation to avoid weight gain.

Safe Treats to Avoid Parrot Boredom

Cooked sweet potato — soft, nutritious, and sweet.

Corn on the cob — cooked and unsalted.

Small amounts of plain, unsweetened yoghurt — some parrots enjoy this, and it can aid digestion.

Foods to Avoid Giving Your Parrot

It’s crucial to keep these common human foods away from your parrot, as they can be toxic or harmful:

Avocado — highly toxic to birds.

Chocolate — poisonous.

Caffeine and alcohol — never share.

Onions and garlic — can cause digestive problems.

Salt and sugary foods — bad for bird health.

Fruit seeds and pits — often contain cyanide compounds.

Tips for Sharing Food Safely

Introduce new foods slowly and observe your parrot’s reaction.

Avoid adding salt, sugar, spices, or seasonings.

Offer food in small, manageable pieces.

Maintain a balanced diet with commercial parrot pellets as the main staple.

Always ensure fresh water is available.

Sharing safe human foods can be a delightful way to bond with your parrot and enrich their diet. Just remember to keep their health as the priority, offering treats in moderation alongside their complete diet.

Do you share human food with your parrot? What are their favourites? Let me know in the comments!

Sharing Food and Drinks with Your Pet Bird: Dos and Don'ts

Having a pet bird is a delightful experience. These feathered friends bring joy and companionship into our lives.

As pet owners, we often want to share our food and drinks with them, but it’s crucial to know what is safe and what is not. 

This blog post will guide you on the food and drinks you can share with your pet bird and those you should avoid.

Safe Foods and Drinks for Your Pet Bird

1. Fresh Fruits and Vegetables:

Birds thrive on a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. Some safe options include:

Apples: Remove the seeds, as they contain cyanide.

Bananas: A great source of potassium.

Carrots: Rich in beta-carotene and good for their vision.

Broccoli: Full of vitamins and minerals.

Blueberries: Packed with antioxidants.

2. Whole Grains:

Birds can enjoy a range of whole grains, such as:

Brown Rice: A good source of fibre and nutrients.

Oats: Great for digestion and energy.

Quinoa: A complete protein source.

3. Nuts and Seeds:

Many birds love nuts and seeds, but they should be given in moderation due to high fat content.

Almonds: Offer unsalted and in small pieces.

Pumpkin Seeds: Full of nutrients and birds enjoy cracking them open.

4. Legumes:

Cooked legumes can be a nutritious treat.

Lentils: Rich in protein and fibre.

Chickpeas: Packed with protein and minerals.

5. Water:

Always ensure your bird has access to fresh, clean water. It’s the best drink for them.

Foods and Drinks to Avoid

1. Avocado:

Avocado contains persin, which is toxic to birds and can cause serious health issues or even death.

2. Chocolate:

Chocolate contains theobromine, which is highly toxic to birds. Even small amounts can be harmful.

3. Caffeine:

Caffeinated beverages like coffee, tea, and soft drinks can cause cardiac distress in birds.

4. Alcohol:

Alcohol is toxic to birds and should never be given to them under any circumstances.

5. Salty Foods:

Excessive salt can lead to dehydration and kidney failure in birds. Avoid giving them crisps, pretzels, and other salty snacks.

6. Onions and Garlic:

These can cause digestive problems and even lead to haemolytic anaemia in birds.

7. Fruit Seeds and Pits:

While many fruits are safe, their seeds and pits can be toxic. Always remove seeds from apples, cherries, and peaches before offering the fruit to your bird.

8. Junk Food:

Processed foods, sugary treats, and fried foods are unhealthy for birds. Stick to natural, whole foods to keep your feathered friend healthy.

Conclusion

Sharing your meals with your pet bird can be a wonderful bonding experience, but it’s essential to know what’s safe and what’s not. Fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds can be great additions to your bird’s diet. However, always avoid foods and drinks that are toxic to birds, such as avocado, chocolate, caffeine, and alcohol.

By providing a balanced and nutritious diet, you’ll ensure that your feathered friend stays happy and healthy. Always consult with an avian vet if you have any doubts about what to feed your bird. Remember, a well-informed pet owner makes for a happy, healthy bird!

DukesHill Launches Exciting New Wild British Game Collection

With the shooting season for grouse now underway, Royal Warrant holder, artisan food producer and fine food supplier DukesHill has launched a wonderful and delicious new Wild British Game Collection. 

A rich and robust tasting Venison Wellington and a Three Bird Roast of pheasant, partridge and pigeon are just some of the highlights of the new range. 

Established in 1985 in the West of England rural county of Shropshire curing ham using time-honoured traditional techniques, DukesHill's reputation and range continues to grow with the introduction of the new Wild British Game Collection.  

Naturally lean, packed full of flavour and guaranteed to be 100% British, the new wild game is responsibly sourced from approved British estates who ensure all game is handled and cared for properly.

Following popular demand, DukesHill's new collection of British game has been introduced after becoming the most requested product category from its customers.

DukesHill is renowned for championing artisan producers whose skilled use of unique and traditional methods create outstanding food and flavours. With an true uncompromising commitment to sourcing and creating delicious British produce with the highest regard for animal welfare, DukesHill's new Wild British Game Collection carries the British Game Assurance (BGA) stamp, and offers the very best in quality, provenance and taste.

Louisa Clutterbuck, CEO of British Game Assurance and Eat Wild said: “Compared with traditional farmed meats, wild game is astonishingly versatile; the flavour profiles of one type of bird are completely different to another, giving you plenty of room to experiment in your kitchen. It's also lean, high in protein, and low in fat, thus making it a healthy alternative. 

"What's more it's supremely free range and has a lower carbon footprint than many other meats. DukesHill's new Wild British Game Collection celebrates all of this, and better still, all the meat within the collection is BGA-assured, meaning it's guaranteed to be high quality and sustainably sourced. 

"At BGA, we ensure that shoots across the country follow high welfare standards with our independently-audited Assurance Scheme, allowing a reliable and reassuring route for game meat to make its way into the market and onto our plates. We seal it with a BGA stamp of approval; the game equivalent of the Red Tractor stamp.”

Wild British Game Collection

Venison Loin Fillet - £28 (min 450g)

Sourced from approved British estates supporting the British Game Assurance scheme, DukesHill's wild Venison Loin Fillet is of the highest welfare standards. A tender and succulent fillet, it's versatile with a delicate flavour and is perfect for frying or roasting.

Venison Wellington - £38 (min 700g)  

A luxury twist on a classic British dish, this Venison Wellington makes for a delicious dinner centrepiece with a rich and robust game flavour. Tender British venison fillet is wrapped in mushroom duxelles and buttery crisp puff pastry. 

Venison Rolled Haunch Joint - £15 (min 500g) 

Cut from the top of the hind leg, DukesHill's tender and flavoursome Venison Rolled Haunch Joint is simple to cook and easy to carve and makes a great Sunday roast. 

Three Bird Game Roast - £65 (min 1.3kg) 

DukesHill's magnificent Three Bird Game Roast of pheasant breast is stuffed with both partridge and pigeon breast along with a pork, sage, and onion stuffing. It's topped with smoked streaky bacon and a rosemary sprig and carries the British Game Assurance stamp to ensure the provenance of this meat is of the highest regard for animal welfare.

Stuffed Pheasant - £22 (min 600g) 

A British seasonal speciality, this delicious Stuffed Pheasant is lean and rich in flavour. 

It is pointed out that all game from the collection may contain small fragments of shot although every effort is made to ensure that it is removed.

https://www.dukeshill.co.uk

Copas Coronation Cockerel – a feast fit for a King

Are you seeking out a feast fit for a King to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III? 

Hailing from Royal Berkshire, Premium poultry producer, Copas has reared a limited number of cockerels for this very special occasion, delicious paired with their Artisan Coronation Sauce, a fitting tribute to King Charles III. 

Slow-reared for the best possible flavour, the cockerels are fed a natural diet of maize and omega-rich corn and roam meadows for a truly free-range life.  

Bigger than usual chickens, these birds are allowed more time to grow, resulting in succulent meat with a rich, more gamey flavour. The birds weigh around 3kg each which means they'll feed at least 6 hungry adults. 

For an authentic Coronation Chicken dish, mix one jar of Copas Artisan Coronation Sauce with an equal part of mayonnaise and stir through the cooked chicken. 

Cockerel prices start from £40 available from https://www.copasturkeys.co.uk

Unsure how to cook a cockerel? You should just treat it like the big chicken it is and you can’t go far wrong!  

Here's how the Copas family do it… 

Remove your cockerel from the fridge at least an hour before cooking to bring it to room temperature 

Preheat your oven to 210°C Fan / 230°C / Gas 8 

Season the bird all over with salt and pepper 

Roast for 20 minutes, then lower the over temperature to 160°C Fan / 180°C / Gas 4 and continue to roast for 40 minutes per kilo until the meat reaches an internal temperature of at least 68°C. We recommend using a thermometer for failsafe results every time 

Remove from the oven and leave to rest in a warm place for at least 30 minutes 

You can learn more here https://www.copasturkeys.co.uk.