Safe Vegetables, Fruit and Herbs for Parrots
Fresh is best when it comes to feeding our parrots! Here is our ultimate list for safe vegetables, fruit and herbs for pet birds. Have we missed anything? Drop us a message and we will update the list!
Safe Vegetables for Parrots:
Acorn Squash: Safe (flesh and seeds).
Artichoke: Safe.
Asparagus: Safe.
Beetroot: Safe (both the root and the leafy green tops).
Bell Pepper: Safe (all colours; the inner seeds are safe).
Bok Choy (Pak choi): Safe.
Broccoli: Safe (florets, stems, and leaves).
Brussels Sprouts: Safe.
Butternut Squash: Safe (flesh and seeds).
Cabbage: Safe.
Carrot: Safe (both the root and the leafy green tops).
Cauliflower: Safe.
Celery: Safe.
Swiss Chard: Safe.
Chicory: Safe.
Chillies: Safe (including the seeds).
Chinese Cabbage (Napa Cabbage): Safe.
Courgette (Zucchini): Safe.
Cucumber: Safe.
Dandelion Greens: Safe (all parts of a dandelion are safe).
Endive: Safe.
Fennel: Safe.
Green Beans: Safe.
Jalapeño: Safe (including seeds).
Kale: Safe.
Kohlrabi: Safe.
Mustard Greens: Safe.
Okra: Safe.
Parsnip: Safe.
Peas: Safe (garden peas, snow peas, and sugar snap peas; the pods are fully edible).
Pumpkin: Safe (both the flesh and the seeds).
Radish: Safe.
Rocket (Arugula): Safe.
Romaine Lettuce: Safe.
Spinach: Safe in moderation (very high in oxalates).
Spring Greens (Collard Greens): Safe.
Swede (Rutabaga): Safe.
Sweetcorn: Safe.
Sweet Potato: Safe (completely safe to feed raw).
Tomato: The fully ripe, red fruit is safe. The vines, stems, leaves, and green tomatoes are highly toxic and must never be fed.
Turnip: Safe (both the root and the greens).
Watercress: Safe.
Yellow Squash (Summer Squash): Safe.
All vegetables listed above are safe to feed raw. Cooked vegetables spoil much faster than raw vegetables, and warm mushy food may contribute to hormonal behaviour.
Safe Fruits for Parrots:
Apple: Flesh is safe; seeds should be removed.
Apricot: Flesh is safe; the pit is toxic and must be removed.
Banana: Safe.
Blackberry: Safe.
Blackcurrant: Safe.
Blood Orange: Safe.
Blueberry: Safe.
Boysenberry: Safe.
Cantaloupe: Safe.
Casaba Melon: Safe.
Cherry: Flesh is safe; the pit is toxic and must be removed.
Clementine: Safe.
Coconut: Safe.
Cranberry: Safe.
Dates: Safe, but remove the pit.
Desert Lime: Safe.
Dragon Fruit (Pitaya): Safe.
Fig: Safe.
Finger Lime: Safe.
Goji Berry: Safe.
Gooseberry: Safe.
Grapefruit: Safe (can affect the way some veterinary medications work - speak to your avian vet for more information).
Grapes: Safe.
Guava: Safe.
Honeydew Melon: Safe.
Kiwi: Safe.
Kumquat: Safe.
Lemon: Safe.
Lime: Safe.
Lychee: Flesh is safe; the pit must be removed.
Mandarin: Safe.
Mango: Flesh is safe; the hard pit must be removed.
Mangosteen: Safe.
Mulberry: Safe.
Nectarine: Flesh is safe; the pit is toxic and must be removed.
Orange: Safe.
Papaya: Safe; the seeds are also safe and highly nutritious.
Passionfruit: Safe.
Peach: Flesh is safe; the pit is toxic and must be removed.
Pear: Flesh is safe; seeds and the core must be removed.
Persimmon: Flesh is safe; seeds must be removed.
Physalis: Safe.
Pineapple: Safe.
Plum: Flesh is safe; the pit is toxic and must be removed.
Pomegranate: Safe; the seeds are what parrots actually eat and enjoy.
Quince: Flesh is safe; seeds must be removed.
Rambutan: Flesh is safe; the pit must be removed.
Raspberry: Safe.
Redcurrant: Safe.
Satsuma: Safe.
Starfruit (Carambola): Safe; feed when ripe.
Strawberry: Safe.
Tangerine: Safe.
Watermelon: Safe; the flesh, seeds, and the rind are all perfectly safe to consume.
General preparation tip: Always wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly to remove potential pesticides, and buy organic when possible, especially if you plan on serving the skin or rind.
Safe Herbs for Parrots:
Basil: Safe.
Coriander (Cilantro): Safe.
Dill: Safe.
Lemon Balm: Safe
Lemongrass: Safe.
Marjoram: Safe.
Mint: Safe (all varieties, including peppermint, spearmint).
Oregano: Safe.
Parsley: Safe in moderation (contains oxalates, so feed as an occasional treat rather than a daily staple).
Rosemary: Safe.
Sage: Safe.
Tarragon: Safe.
Thyme: Safe.
Safety note: Avoid any herbs from the Allium family (such as chives, garlic, wild garlic, shallots, or leeks), as they break down red blood cells in birds and cause fatal anemia. NEVER feed avocado as this is deadly toxic to parrots. Rhubarb is also toxic for parrots and should never be fed.