While seeds and pellets are the obvious choice, did you know that there are so many other things birds can eat other than bird food?
It's true that you want the bulk of your feathered friend's diet to be made up of the best bird food, but just like us humans, birds love variety, and adding in some healthy fruits, vegetables, nuts, and grains can be a great way to give your beaked buddy a little treat.
When it comes to taking care of pet birds, dishing up some healthy, delicious, and nutritious foods that they've not tried before can provide them with some much-needed enrichment – especially if you hide the snacks and let your bird forage for them.
Below, we've rounded up our favorite safe treats for birds from sweet and juicy mango to protein-packed chickpeas. Let's take a look...
32 things birds can eat other than bird food
1. Apples
Nutritious and delicious, apples can make a wonderful addition to your bird's diet. Apples are a great source of fiber and vitamin C and they also contain a range of antioxidants. A note of caution though – apples are only safe for birds when they've been prepared correctly. That means washed, peeled, and sliced with the seeds removed as these contain a toxin that's highly poisonous to our feathered friends.
2. Bananas
Bananas are an excellent source of nutrients for pet birds. High in vitamins A, B, and C, they also contain potassium, magnesium, and iron. Birds tend to find their soft, sweet flesh irresistible – however because they're high in sugar, they're best given in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
3. Spinach
It turns out that spinach didn't just work wonders for Popeye, it's also brilliant for birds, too! Packed with nutrients, spinach is packed with antioxidants that can strengthen your feathered friend's immune system. It's also a good choice if your bird is overweight as it provides some much-needed variety without the calories. While spinach can make for a healthy addition to your bird's diet, you should only feed small amounts as it's high in oxalic acid which blocks the absorption of calcium.
4. Hardboiled eggs
Eggs are incredibly nutritious, which is why animals of all kinds will steal them in the wild and devour them. A fantastic natural food that's rich in nutrients and carbohydrates and sugar-free, the choline found in eggs feeds the brain and aids liver function. Hardboiled eggs are an inexpensive treat and your bird can eat the entire egg – shell and all!
5. Almonds
Almonds are a great treat to give your bird in moderation. High in fat, they're an excellent source of energy and they also contain protein, vitamins, and minerals. Plain, raw almonds are best for birds so avoid salted, candied or roasted varieties. Chop or crush the nuts to make it easier for your bird to eat them.
6. Oranges
Packed with vitamin C to strengthen your bird's immune system, oranges are a delicious and highly nutritious sweet treat. The skin is completely safe to consume, although some birds will peel it off – we recommend leaving it on and seeing what your bird prefers, just be sure to wash it first to remove any pesticides.
7. Cooked pasta
Plain, cooked pasta is a great source of carbohydrates and is safe for birds to consume as long as it's not covered in cheese or sauce. Pasta should be considered a treat and not a daily snack as it doesn't have the same density of nutrients as seeds, nuts, fruit, and vegetables. Chop the pasta into small pieces to make it easier for your bird to eat.
8. Coconut
Fancy offering your bird a taste of the tropics? Coconut will certainly leave them feeling like they're in paradise. Fresh coconut meat is high in fat, so it's best given in small amounts and as an occasional treat only. Steer clear of desiccated and shredded coconut or coconut chips as these are not safe for birds.
9. Macadamia nuts
As long as they're unsalted and uncoated, macadamia nuts can safely be eaten by birds. Perfect as a reward during training or as a healthy snack, macadamia nuts are rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. If you're looking for some fun foraging ideas for birds, try hiding these nuts in a toy and letting your bird retrieve them.
10. Papaya
Most birds adore papaya (especially parrots) so serving up this soft and juicy fruit is sure to win you some serious brownie points! High in vitamins A and C plus rich in potassium, calcium, and magnesium, papaya provides birds with a range of important nutrients.
11. Peas
There's nothing more satisfying than the crunch of a crisp snap pea – and it turns out our feathered friends love it too! Peas are considered a safe vegetable for birds and the pods are edible as well, so you can pop the whole thing in your bird's cage. Snap peas are highly nutritious, containing a range of vitamins and minerals that can help with everything from vision and bone health to immune function and wound healing.
12. Sunflower seeds
High in protein and healthy fats, sunflower seeds are nutrient-dense and make for a wonderfully satisfying snack. Just be mindful that they contain a lot of energy, which isn't a problem for wild birds who need the calories but can be problematic for companion birds. To prevent obesity, feed these in moderation as a treat and always opt for raw sunflower seeds over roasted ones.
13. Raspberries
Raspberries are a favorite fruit for many birds, and it's not hard to see why. With a sweet taste and irresistible texture, raspberries are small and easy for birds to peck at. Make sure to wash the fruit under water before serving it to your bird and leave it whole as raspberries are the perfect size for birds to hold in their claws.
14. Carrots
A safe and healthy vegetable with a satisfying crunch, carrots are flavorful and fun to eat. Because they contain such high levels of beta-carotene, carrots are great for eye health and this nutritional powerhouse has plenty of other vitamins and minerals too. Raw, washed, uncooked carrots are best for birds and you may want to consider baby carrots if you have a smaller feathered friend.
15. Brazil nuts
Birds love nuts, so it makes sense that Brazil nuts would make for a tasty treat. A good source of energy and nutrients, Brazil nuts are high in protein and unsaturated fat. Just be sure to chop them up first before feeding them to your bird as this will make them easier to eat.
16. Pumpkin seeds
Pumpkin seeds, also known as pepitas, are a fantastic snack for birds. High in protein and healthy fats, they're also a great source of vitamins and minerals which can contribute to your bird's overall health. Choose fresh, raw and unsalted pumpkin seeds, and consider crushing them if you have a smaller bird species.
17. Oats
While cooked oats aren't safe for birds (the sticky oats can clump together and harden around their beaks), raw oats have good nutritional value and make a great addition to your pet's diet. Try mixing some raw oats into your bird's seed or pellet mix a few times a week to give them an extra dose of protein and fiber.
18. Cooked brown rice
Unsalted, cooked brown rice can be eaten by birds in moderation as part of a healthy, balanced diet. Compared to white rice, brown rice contains higher levels of fiber, magnesium, B vitamins, potassium, and iron, and it's a great source of readily available energy. Never feed raw rice to birds as the grains can expand in their stomachs and cause digestive issues and blockages.
19. Blueberries
Power-packed with vitamins, dietary fiber, and antioxidants, blueberries are a super fruit that makes for a wonderfully juicy snack for birds. Blueberries are rich in vitamin K, which is important for bone health,and vitamin A, which enhances vision and improves immune function. Because blueberries are often sprayed with pesticides that can be tricky to remove, it's recommended you buy organic if you'd like to give your bird this fruit as a treat.
20. Broccoli
While it may not have been your favorite food as a kid, broccoli is a healthy treat for your companion bird. Broccoli contains vitamin D, which is something many birds in captivity are deficient in because they don't get enough sunlight. Feeding your feathered friend broccoli can give them a vital top-up of this important bone-building vitamin.
21. Pecans
Packed full of protein and minerals such as zinc and magnesium, pecan nuts are a satisfying snack for birds. Just be sure to feed them in moderation, as like all nuts, pecans are very calorie-dense. If you have a larger bird, you can offer pecans in their shell to give their beaks a good workout, but for smaller birds, it's recommended you take them out of their shell and chop them up to make them easier to eat.
22. Lentils
Lentils are a great addition to your pet bird's diet, as long as they're cooked and mashed to a soft consistency to make them easy to eat. Lentils are an excellent source of B vitamins, iron and zinc, not to mention protein and fiber.
23. Bell peppers
Rich in beta-carotene and vitamin C, crunchy and sweet bell peppers are loved by most pet birds. The seeds are not toxic, so while you can remove them before you feed bell peppers to your bird, it's not necessary – in fact, some birds really enjoy the seeds. Offer a range of different colors as not only is this visually appealing for birds, but red, green, orange, and yellow bell peppers all offer different nutrients.
24. Popcorn
While popcorn with butter and salt is definitely off the menu, your companion bird can enjoy plain, unsalted popcorn as an occasional treat. Many birds love snacking on popcorn and you can offer the kernels popped or unpopped. If you choose to opt for the latter, soak the kernels first to soften them slightly as this will make it easier for your bird's beak to break through the tough hulls.
25. Cooked quinoa
With its light, fluffy texture and nutty taste, many pet birds find quinoa hugely appealing. Pronounced 'keen-wah', this ancient grain is highly nutritious, gluten-free, and has twice the calcium of other grains. With an almost perfect balance of all eight essential amino acids, quinoa needs to be rinsed before being cooked to remove the bitter taste of its outer coating.
26. Peeled kiwi fruit
The sweet and juicy kiwi fruit is a great safe treat for your pet bird – as long as you remove the fuzzy skin first. It's not that the skin itself is toxic, but if the fruit has been sprayed with pesticides, it can be very difficult to remove the residue. Fruits like kiwi help to maintain your bird's glossy plumage and because they contain lots of water, they offer added hydration.
27. Green beans
Full of fiber and vitamin K, green beans make a healthy and satisfying addition to your feathered friend's diet. Like snap peas, they have a fun crunch that birds love – just be sure to wash them and chop them up into smaller pieces to make them easier to eat.
28. Mango
Most birds find soft, sweet, and succulent mango flesh absolutely irresistible, so giving your bird this fruit as a snack is sure to go down a treat. Freshly washed, peeled, and pitted mangoes can be offered to your feathered friend in small quantities as part of their daily fruit quota, giving them a healthy dose of vitamin C, folate, magnesium, and potassium.
29. Sprouts
Sprouting seeds for your bird can offer a valuable source of nutrition – and there are plenty of options to choose from. Mung beans, broccoli sprouts, lentils, and alfalfa are all great choices and come packed with amazing health benefits thanks to all the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants they contain.
30. Kale
A leafy green vegetable that's packed full of goodness, kale isn't just safe, it's incredibly nutritious. Sharp-tasting and crunchy, kale is calcium-rich and also contains phosphorous, potassium, and vitamin C. Low in carbohydrates, it can be fed to birds regularly as part of a balanced diet.
31. Pomegranate seeds
The sparkling jewels of the fruit world, pomegranate seeds are a delicious treat for frugivores (fruit-eating birds) such as macaws and other parrots. Due to their high sugar content, pomegranate seeds need to be fed in moderation and it's important you only feed your bird the seeds, making sure to carefully remove the white pith.
32. Chickpeas
Packed with protein for healthy muscle development and maintenance, chickpeas are nutritional powerhouses and are completely safe for pet birds to eat. They need to be well rinsed and cooked as raw chickpeas are very hard and can be difficult for birds to eat and digest. Mix them in with nuts and seeds or offer them on their own.
Want to feed wild birds too? Here’s how to attract more birds to your garden
