I was one of those that fed the wrong diet, too. But I admit to my doing it out of lazyness. Let's face it, the information was always available. It is true that there was no internet but there were libraries and there were movies and stories of people from the places where the birds originated and there was common sense. The library materials were dry, almost incomprehensible, very scientific pieces but the info was there if one took the time to 'dig' it out. And I think it was more a lack of common sense than anything else... I know in my case it was because I fed my canaries seeds and fresh produce every day (what they would eat in the wild) but I fed my parrot pizza or french fries or whatever I was having for dinner. And I certainly knew better than to believe that they eat pizza in the wild! But I still did it. So, at least in my case, I offer no excuses. I should have known better and care more than I did.

Yes, when I brought home Sergeant Pepper, our military macaw, a few years ago, his breeder gave me monkey biscuits, along with formula, fruity pellets, and a little baggie of Madagascar Delight and Beak Appetit. I faithfully followed his instructions and was much chagrined to find out later that they are really formulated for monkeys! (I know, duh, but I thought 'Monkey Biscuits' was just some cute name). The fruity pellets I tossed after a little bit of thought, and then I started learning more about their dietary needs. One thing I've learned is, we cannot take any one person's word for anything, not even our vet; we have to go out and research on our own from several sources at least. It's what Bea always says - 'Don't take my word for it, go and read for yourself'. I have learned so much in the last 2 years regarding avian care, and the one thing I have really learned is how much I don't know. I remember talking to a vet at UPenn which has one of the top veterinary schools in the world. She said "The more we learn about avian health and disease, the more we realize just how much we don't know. We know nothing". She went on to say that in her opinion, the field of avian medicine was in its infancy. I walked away from the telephone much impressed by her honesty and humbleness.

Infancy is right, Randi. We have so much to learn through research and experience which is challenging and interesting.

it's funny I remember the rule was parrots can eat anything except
avocados, seeds from fruit, chocolate, junk food, food high in salt,sugar or fat. And that anything else was fine, and that any fruit or veggies that was orange was better.

That was the rule way back than, but the only other difference was that there was no pellets, just seed and things like monkey biscuit and dog food.

So I always fed any size bird a 50/50 diet of seed and fresh back than. That's what the owner the shop I worked at, when I was 14 did. It was her vet in NYC at AMC that suggested the dog food, and the breeders that used the monkey biscuits for formula, which came from (If I remember correctly) what the zoo's feed their birds at the bronx zoo, and other zoo's. The owner of the shop made all these calls to find out the info back than. So the birds in our shop ate ABBA, fruit and veggies, monkey biscuits, and some pieces of dog food. I find it interesting that not that much has changed with the exception of dog food, and monkey biscuits, and the addition of pellets. Later the owner after she closed up shop many years later,now feeds her bird an all fresh diet with no pellets. Buddy her YNA is now 25. I had keets back than and one lived to 18 the other to 16, I read everything I could get my hands on about them back then, they ate a 50/50 diet as well, but no monkey biscuits (too big) and no dog food (also too big) I know I definitely wasn't lazy, and the owner of the shop back than is the person in my life that gave me my passion for birds. I did the best I could given what was available at the time. And I also think that since, at least in my area there were no big pet store chains, little mom and pop shops made their living off of their reputation, so their was no reason not to trust what a shop told you in respects to the care of your bird or animal.

Yes, I remember those days, too. Unfortunately for the birds, the old 'rule' is still being applied and people are still feeding their birds whatever they eat except for chocolate, avocado, etc thinking they are doing them a favor.

Mind you, I too fed seeds and produce but nothing was organic, the seeds were free-fed, there were pitifully little veggies and a very narrow range of greens at that (if I remember correctly, it was just romaine or boston lettuce and celery) but I also fed human crap. I thought it was OK, I just did not think, I guess.

So true about the old rules still being used! I hear it all the time and that does annoy me, especially when info is much easier to attain these days. And yes seeds were free fed, it is sad to me that some of the old standards are still being applied, but encouraging in that it seems to me most young people getting parrots today do much more in the ways of research. I come across people in their early twenties knowing as much as I did 10 years ago and that to me is amazing! But I also come across others who are completely ignorant and prefer to stay that way. At least it seems there are more educated owners than not these days. There's still a long way to go of course, but at least things are moving in the right direction.

It is very encouraging to see the increased level of awareness and interest among many new (and long time) parrot owners. And although there is a need for vigilance in screening the available information, it is also encouraging that there is so much more information available. The internet has played a large role in making this information accessible, and the opportunities for education are boundless. We are making progress, and will continue to do so. We also should keep in mind that at least some of what we consider to be "conventional wisdom" today, will be superseded in years to come and people will be saying of us - "I can't believe they did that"! We're learning though.

Yes, and message boards are a great way to disseminate ideas and information.

More people are even increasingly aware of birds' intelligence. One of my sons came home much amused - someone had called his friend a bird brain and she said, 'Thank you!'

Cute!!!!


I've heard about monkey biscuits being fed.. I feel sorry for birds that have to eat them They just look nasty!!!!!!!!

Most birds relished them actually!