It still amazes me that so many people still consider a sunflower seed diet as proper nutrition for parrots. These diets are too high in fat and too low in Vitamin A and protein. ALL birds, from the finches to macaws*, should, in my opinion, eat a pellet-based diet, together with LOADS of fresh fruits and veggies.

*Finches, canaries and cockatiels MUST have seed in their diet in addition to pellets and fresh foods. Parrotlets are somewhat up in the air. Some folks choose pellets and fresh foods; others also offer seed.

Proper nutrition in parrots is my passion and I want to share with you the diet that I give my own birds. I make the following concoction. Please note: if you do not have all the ingredients I have listed, try to use as many as possible. Giving your bird a piece of apple or carrot is not considered a diet of fresh fruits and veggies. It takes me about a half hour once a week to make this mixture. The love my birds give in return, is well worth the time and effort

Cook for 5-10 min. (low heat) in a saute pan (NO TEFLON!!!)
Fresh Garlic
Red Sweet Pepper (with seeds)
Radicchio
Carrot (peeled)
Zucchini
Broccoli Rabe
Collard Greens, Mustard Greens or Kale
String Beans
Sugar Snap Peas
Red Cabbage
Pears (seeded)
Summer Squash
Granny Smith Apple (seeded)

Cook Separately
Tablespoon of Flax Seed
2 Tablespoons of tiny pasta

Cold Ingredients (do not cook)
Papaya (peeled) (with seeds)
Cherry Tomatoes
Fresh Lemon juice
Orange (peeled) (seeded)
Pears
Fresh Basil
Pineapple (peeled)
Cantaloupe (peeled)
Dandelion Greens, Mustard Greens, Kale, Swiss Chard, or Beet Greens
Banana (peeled)
Organic Strawberries
Endive
Blueberries
Granny Smith Apple (seeded)
Mango (peeled)
Nectarines
Organic grapes

Mix all together. Put unused portion in refrigerator for up to a week. Remainder can be frozen.

Birds love variety! So, use natural flavoring to change the taste - fresh orange juice, diced garlic, peeled & diced ginger, chopped parsley, ground nuts, chopped cilantro & dried chili peppers to name a few. Use your imagination!

I will definately give that a try, it has a good variety of foods in it I am sure Jack would love and so would his body. All those foods are readily available around me also.

What is a granny smith apple?

It is a type of apple that should be available at any grocery store or market. I buy mine at either Dillons or Walmart. They are green.

They're green, crisp and not overly sweet. You'll see them in the market labeled as Granny Smith's. They're my birds favorite kind.

I will have to give this a try also!

sounds good... i'll give it a try too.... sounds like a nice addition to valo's already pretty various menu (spoiled little brat)

You bet! Go for it!

oh great!! Now I get yet another mash recipe!! LOL and again I don't have any idea what half the stuff is!!! But hey, I'm learnin'.

I will give this a try too - thanks!