WINOTIPS..... the foods that many aviculturists offer daily. However, they are one of the most pesticide-contaminated fruits, so eeding choose organically grown apples whenever possible. Nearly all apples, even those grown organically, are rou t e ock tinely sprayed with wax, so it is a good by Carolyn Swicegood idea to peel apples even though it Hollywood Beach, FL would be preferable to leave the peel ,, hat do you feed?" intact if the apples were untreated. It is Among aviculturists, thought that Granny Smith apples con the proper diet for tain the least pesticide residue of all parrots is a topic as controversial as conventionally-grown apples. politics! There are as many opinions on diet and nutrition as there are par Aloe - In Florida, there is an aviary Beans - High in fiber, beans are rot owners, and with good reason. of 200 rescued parrots where slices of beneficial to the health of parrots. Nutrition is the single most important fresh aloe are served on a regular Beans combined with brown rice cre factor in determining the health, vitali basis. Although these birds have come ate a complete protein because the ty and longevity of parrots. from a variety of circumstances with a amino acids, building blocks of pro Since no one really knows what large assortment of ailments, the tein, that are missing in beans are .sup foods are consumed by parrots "in the owner attributes their current lack of plied by the amino acids in brown rice. wild," our feeding regimens are based health problems in large part to the It is thought that this type of protein is on a combination of what we have healing effects of aloe. Parrots some more readily assimilated by parrots read, heard, and observed in our birds' times suffer digestive and intestinal dis than is the protein of dairy products daily food preferences. There are some orders, and aloe is the most healing of and meat. Parrots are unable to digest foods that are almost universally all herbs for these problems. Add to the lactose in dairy products because accepted as parrot food and others that that its beneficial effects on the they do not produce the lactase are relatively new but beneficial in our immune systerri, and you may want to enzyme. quest to provide complete parrot nutri add pure aloe juice to their water every Beans should be soaked overnight tion. I would like to explore the nutri two or three days as a preventive and thoroughly cooked before offering tio.nal and sometimes medicinal value medicine if you do not grow your own to parrots. Many species ofparrots pre of some of these foods. plants. fer garbanzo beans (also known as One very good reason to feed a I feed thin slices of the largest stalks chick peas) over other kinds of beans. variety of foods is that they can be from my aloe plants several times a used as a natural preventive to health week. When a bird appears to be feel problems. ing unwell, a slice or two of fresh aloe or one part pure aloe juice to three parts drinking water can swiftly make Jttre 's ,'i&l..ies a positive difference in the demeanor Amazon Parrots and Gamebirds specialist and activity level of the bird. looking for Aloe vera has been determined to experienced gamebird farmer to raise contain substantial amounts of over and protect in commercial quantities, baby 39 Amazon parrots on commercial bird essential minerals and vitamins, and all farm. Gather eggs for artificial incubation, of the amino acids. monitor the development during Out of over 150,000 botanicals, Aloe Berries - Berries are thought to the incubation process and hand raise dependent nestlings after hatching. vera is the only one that contains so be a natural component of the diet of Fax resume (561) 790-7409 or mail to many nutrients essential to man's exis most parrots. It is doubtful that we can Voren's Aviaries, Inc. tence. Aloe vera is a nutritionally com offer them the same berries that would P.O. Box 152, Loxahatchee, FL 33470. plete food and has been approved by be available in their natural environ the FDA as a food substance. ments, but they seem to enjoy many of those that are available to us. For the Record Apples - Apples contain generous Blueberries are a favorite of many Sebastian Lousada wishes to amounts of pectin, a soluble fiber birds and they contain lutein, a sub acknowledge the fine work done by important in the diet of parrots. stance highly beneficial to their eyes. Sophie Webb in her plate illustrating Additionally, the anti-bacterial, anti Only organically grown strawberries the distribution of the various races of Viral, and anti-inflammatory properties should be fed to parrots. Nearly all Yellow-headed Parrots. The plate is of apples make them more than just a growers of strawberries use large found on page 15 of Lousada's article delicious crunchy food that parrots will amounts of pesticides, particularly in the July/August 1998 Watchbird. happily consume. Apples are one of fungicides. The FDA detected 30 dif-
52 September/October 1998 ferent pesticides on strawberries. If Visceral gout affects the internal drink fresh pressed carrot juice which organically-grown berries cannot be organs and is very difficult to diagnose. is a power house of beta carotene, the obtained, it is best to substitute other The first course of action is to correct precursor to vitamin A needed by all berries or fruits. the diet, thereby eliminating the cause. parrots. Meanwhile, try this simple but effective Brown Rice - Of all the grains remedy which most parrots find enjoy Corn - Com has a high fiber con and cereals, brown rice is the most able. Cherries, fresh, frozen, or even tent and appreciable amounts of vita digestible. Add to that the fact that par canned, may eliminate the gout prob min A as well as phosphorus, potassi rots will eat it in any form - raw, lem without further treatment. Most um, and magnesium. "Plumped" com cooked, or even sprouted - and it is health food stores sell small bottles of is the absolute favorite food of nearly understandable that many aviculturists black cherry juice concentrate which every parrot that I know. It is the most make it a part of the daily diet. can be added to the drinking water. sought-after food of my Eclectus Par Combined in a cooked soft food mix Otherwise, if the parrot has a favorite ents when they are feeding babies in with rolled or whole com and beans, it dry food, simply soak it in the concen the nest. I offer it as part of a soft-food is a food that can nourish parrots on a trate before feeding. mix which also contains beans, brown daily basis. Parent birds relish this food Although fresh cherries are ideal rice, and chopped sweet potato. It is for their nestlings. when they are in season, it seems that inexpensive and is similar to the pop any form of cherries will help to clear ular but more expensive pre-cooked Cayenne Pepper - Parrots love up the painful problem of gout. mixes available in pet supply stores. the fiery taste of cayenne pepper in Rolled com is very similar to plumped powder or flakes, and will try new and Cruciferous Vegetables - These com but rolled com 'is not available unfamiliar foods, such as sprouts, vegetables make up a group that everywhere. I usually buy clean when you sprinkle on this healthful according to research provides protec shelled whole com from fee.d or pet herb. It is an overall digestive aid con tion against certain cancers in humans. stores, but shelled popcorn which taining liberal amounts of vitamins A, Cruciferous vegetables contain antioxi requires no washing works just as C, B-complex, calcium, phosphorous, dants, Cbeta carotene and the com well. After the first time you prepare it, and iron. pound sulforaphane). These vegeta I believe you will agree that it is an It also is anti-inflammatory and bles, which are high in fiber, vitamins, easy food to prepare, and it can be helps arthritic conditions which are not and minerals, are broccoli, brussels uncommon in our senior psittacines. sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, chard, Look for the darkest red-orange color kale, mustard greens, rutabagas, and "Take Control Of Your Aviary Records· when choosing cayenne. turnips. If introduced to a variety of foods early in life, most parrots will Cherries - Gout in birds is asso enjoy these health-giving vegetables ciated with the kidneys' inability to which may offer protection against the remove nitrogen waste products from various forms of cancer that can afflict the bloodstream. As a result, uric acid parrots. _ 'C'JI c..~.r accumulates and begins to abnormally ~;. JA'ic. (...- ~ -;
Nuts - uts are a natural source of fats for parrots. Fats are the most con centrated energy source, providing more than twice as much energy per unit as either proteins or carbohy ® products drates. They help to insulate and store ~~!~!ON for Birds food for the body and are necessary for the normal utilization of the fat-sol uble vitamins (A, D, E, and K). The When Only The Best Will 001 Top Quality Vitamin Supplements and Special Diets more sedentary a life your parrots live, the less fats are needed, so one must feed nuts sparingly to avoid obesity if there is limited opportunity for ade v, quate exercise. Guenter Enderle Enterprises, Inc. uts are an excellent food for birds l' 27 West Tarpon Ave, Tarpon Springs FL 34689 that live outside when extra energy is Phone (813)938 1544 Fax (813)938 1545 email nekplus@attnet needed to maintain their body temper ature on cold days. As an anti-cancer and heart protective food, nuts are a valuable part of a parrot's diet. the afa WATCHBIRD 55 that a few nutrient-dense fresh foods, ments such as selenium, calcium, Sweet Potato - Low in calories especially sprouts, should be added. boron, potassium, manganese, chromi and high in fiber and complex carbo um, iron, and zinc. They also contain hydrates, sweet potatoes are one of sprouts - The diet of parrots in organic protein, chlorophyll, vitamins nature's most perfect foods. One half the wild consists mainly of whole liv B-12, K, and E. In terms of amino acid cup contains 23,000 IUs of the antioxi ing foods. They eat foods in varying composition, sea vegetation protein is dant beta carotene, linked to the pre stages of growth, and we can easily similar to that of egg whites and vention of heart disease, numerous simulate that aspect of their diet by legumes. Nori contains 25 percent types of cancer, and cataracts, a condi offering sprouted grains, seeds and more protein than milk, and wakame tion to which parrots' eyes are vulnera legumes. According to Fred Bauer, and hijiki are both exceptionally high ble. They are rich in vitamins B-6, C, CEO of China Prairie and author, in calcium in a form that is easily and potassium. Parrots of all ages love "Nutrient potential is activated into assimilated. Kelp is one of the most the taste, color, and fibrous texture of food forms that the bird can fully uti popular seaweed supplements for par this versatile vegetable that can be pre lize - proteins into amino acids, fats rots. Seaweed meal is available from pared in numerous ways. This is anoth into essential fatty acids, starches to several bird supply companies and is a er food that can be offered daily to sugars, compounds that are toxic or most nutritious plant supplement. boost the nutrition in our birds' diets. undesirable are converted into useful compounds, minerals are combined Tofu - Tofu is a compressed soy into forms that relate to metabolic bean curd food. It is an excellent veg processes, and many types ofenzymes etarian source of protein, B vitamins, are abundant. Vitamin content multi and it contains anti-cancer phytochem plies many fold." icals called isoflavones. Most parrots When we grow our own sprouts, enjoy the texture oftofu. It has very lit we can be sure that they are not cont tle taste and will take on the flavor of aminated with pesticides. Getting start whatever food you choose to soak it ed at sprouting can be as easy as buy in, such as fruit juice. If soaked in hot ing a package of mung beans from water with melted organic nut butter, it your health food store, soaking a cup takes on an entirely different flavor ful overnight, spreading them in a Some other sea vegetables are with additional calcium and other colander, covering them with a paper kombu, dulse, nori, wakame, arame, nutrients. It can be crumbled into a towel, and rinsing several times a day and hiziki. Stored in airtight containers, soak and cook dish or a mash of fruits, for a couple days. As a result, you have they will keep for up to two years. vegetables, and other foods. In our a food that is as fresh and alive as you Always rinse sea vegetables well (with supermarkets and in Asian specialty can possibly get. Once you see how the exception of sheet norO, and then markets, much of the tofu is organic, easy it is to make mung bean sprouts, soak until they are supple. Most par and yet inexpensive, at about two dol you may want to try lentils, alfalfa, sun rots accept sea vegetables the first time lars per pound. Because ofits soft tex flower seeds, and wheat berries. There that they are offered. They may be ture and bland taste, tofu is an excel are sprouting jars and mixes and anti mixed in soft foods or cooked in bird lent weaning food for baby parrots. fungal preparations available, but it bread. can be done simply without any spe Because of the high mineral con Aviculture is enjoying reproduction cial equipment. tent, sea vegetables should be offered rates that in the past were thought to If you fear that fungus will grow on in moderation to prevent the oversup be impossible. This is due largely to the sprouts, you can purchase plementation of minerals. the improvement in diet. As we learn Nutribiotic Citricidal (extract of grape more about the nutritional require fruit and grapefruit seeds) at your Seeds - Many aviculturists who ments of parrots, we are beginning to health food store and add it to the soak became concerned when pellet manu successfully breed more species at water of the sprouting medium. Some facturers warned against feeding increasingly younger ages, and we are aviculturists feed large flocks of breed seeds to parrots discovered that when producing more chicks that are ing parrots a diet of predominantly seeds were removed from the diet of stronger and healthier than ever sprouts with only a few other supple their breeder birds, production plum before. mental foods to prevent boredom. meted. As long as seeds do not com The quest for new information They claim to have high production prise over 25 percent of the diet, they about the dietary requirements of par rates due to this diet of mostly sprouts. contribute valuable nutrients and satis rots is of utmost importance to the fy the need of parrots to work for their continued success of captive breeding. Sea Vegetables - Sea vegetables food. Besides protein, many seeds Every breeder can contribute by sup are the richest source of organic min contain vitamins A, B, D, and E, calci porting nutritional research and by erai salts in nature, particularly iodine. um, phosphorus, and the desirable sharing the invaluable knowledge The health of parrots will benefit from unsaturated fatty acids so necessary to gained by trial and error in the feeding the full range ofminerals and trace ele- the health of feathers, beak and skin. of our individual flocks. ~
56 September/October 1998