Parrots are said to be social eaters. They are omnivorous, which means they will happily eat both meat and plants. From seeds, nuts, fruit and vegetables, shoots and leaves, flowers, and insects. But that doesn’t mean they can just eat anything. What food must be given to this animal? Usually, people give nuts to birds as treats because nuts are dry and small in size, so they can easily crack and munch them. One of the most common kinds of nuts is almond. Is it okay to feed almonds to parrots? Keep reading.
Are Almonds Safe for Parrots?
If you have been a parrot parent for some time, you know that parrots thrive on a diet primarily consisting of seeds. However, some parrots also like to eat fruits and nuts every now and then. The good news is that most parrots enjoy almonds as treats. Almonds are safe for parrots to consume.
Parrots have evolved to eat only certain foods and avoid others, so their digestive systems don’t respond well to foods that aren’t in their natural diet. Almonds aren’t toxic to parrots (or other birds), but they are difficult to digest because they’re high in fat and protein and low in carbs.
How Many Almonds Should You Feed Your Parrots?
If you own a parrot, these majestic birds can be a bit fussy. They don’t just eat anything, and they certainly don’t eat when you are ready for them to eat.
Still, you must provide your feathered friends with the right foods in the right amounts. While it is true that parrots are picky, they have their favorite snacks—and one of them is almonds. However, they should only be fed in moderation—usually around one to three a day.
Potential Health Benefits of Feeding Almonds to Parrots
Almonds are a superfood for parrots. If you feed your parrot a diet that doesn’t include almonds, you might be leaving them vulnerable to disease and illness.
Vitamin E
Almonds are rich in Vitamin E. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps to boost energy in humans and birds alike. If you have ever felt sleepy after eating your lunchtime almonds, don’t worry—that doesn’t apply here. Your parrot will get an energy boost from eating a few almonds per day. Vitamin E also helps protect your parrot from bad cholesterol.
Calcium
Almonds also contain more calcium per serving than any other nuts. Calcium is good for bones and teeth—but it’s also good for birds’ feathers. Calcium deficiency leads to poor feather quality. If your parrot doesn’t get enough calcium, it can lead to issues that can affect its flight abilities.
Zinc
Almonds are an important source of zinc, a critical nutrient that can provide many benefits to parrots. This nutrient is vital for stimulating the immune systems of parrots. Encouraging the immune system can help keep parrots healthy and protect them against diseases and viruses.
Zinc also helps to prevent infection in wounds. It helps promote wound healing by accelerating cell division at the wound site. This allows for faster recovery, which can help prevent further damage from occurring and reduce the chance of infection getting into the wound. The quicker a wound heals, the better it will be in terms of helping your parrot recover from whatever caused it in the first place.
Fiber
Almonds are full of fiber. The high-calcium diet of parrots can lead to malnutrition and health problems if the birds don’t get enough fiber in their diets. Fiber is the part of our food that we don’t digest—think of the skins on plants or animal hair. It’s essential to a healthy diet because it keeps our digestive system running smoothly.
Potential Dangers of Feeding Almonds to your Parrots
Almonds are indeed packed with vitamins and minerals, so it seems like almonds would be an excellent snack for your parrot. However, there are some potential dangers to feeding your parrot almonds.
Fats
Almonds are high in fats, which can cause serious digestive issues in birds. Too many nuts can lead to serious health issues like obesity and bone disease and more minor ones like a vitamin deficiency.
Cyanide
Almonds contain cyanogenic glycosides, natural compounds that release toxic hydrogen cyanide when the almond is crushed or chewed. While a small amount of cyanide is not enough to make a human sick, parrots have much smaller bodies and cannot handle such a large dose. Cyanide poisoning in birds is characterized by vomiting, dizziness, weakness, and even collapse. In some cases, they may also have labored breathing or muscle spasms. If left untreated, the effects can be very serious—even deadly.
Can baby parrots eat almonds?
The short answer is “it depends. The digestive system of a parrot is very different from our own, and if you’re not careful, feeding them something they can’t handle could cause them serious injury. To make sure, serve them almonds unsalted and unseasoned. It’s best to provide your baby parrot almonds that have been ground into a powder first, as this makes it easier for the baby parrot to digest them.
Can parrots eat raw/ bitter almonds?
Bitter almonds are raw almonds. Raw almonds contain Glycoside Amygdalin that turns into Hydrogen Cyanide. According to the same website, as much as ten raw almonds can be deadly to humans because of Hydrogen Cyanide, which means a lesser amount of raw almonds can kill your parrots. So if possible, avoid feeding your parrots bitter or raw almonds.
Can parrots eat almond butter?
Well, yes. Almond butter is safe for parrots to eat. They might probably enjoy it. You can offer your birds almonds in the form of almond butter to keep their skin and feathers healthy.
Can parrots have almond milk?
Not many people know that almond milk can be good for your parrot. That’s because it’s always assumed that human food is bad for birds when the truth is that parrots are omnivores and have a similar digestive system to humans. And while they shouldn’t eat massive amounts of almonds, they can definitely enjoy some almond milk.
The only thing you need to be wary of when giving your parrot almond milk is the amount you give them—too much can lead to obesity in your bird, so it’s crucial that you only give them a small amount at a time.
Can Eclectus parrots eat almonds?
Yes, you can feed your Eclectus some almonds. According to parrotwebsite.com, nuts are a great source of healthy vitamins. Sugarloafanimalhospital.com mentioned in their blog that you should feed your parrot sparingly for them to avoid obesity and liver disease.
Can Quaker parrots eat almonds?
In general, birds can consume almonds, so it should be fine for your Quaker parrot to munch some almonds. But moderation is the key to avoiding possible health problems.
Can African grey parrots eat almonds?
Yes. Exoticdirect.co, listed almonds under nuts that African grey can eat along with cashew nuts, brazil nuts, walnuts, pine nuts, macadamia, pecans, hazelnuts, peanuts, and pistachios. But remember to give them almonds sparingly as nuts are high in fats.
Can King parrots eat almonds?
According to somerzby.com, Australian King parrots like to eat almonds and shelled peanuts. You can feed them nuts occasionally as a treat and give them a small amount at a time.
Conclusion
As a parrot owner, you know that the little guys need to eat abundant food that is considered healthy for them. Almonds, in particular, are very nutritious for them and are enjoyed and loved by most parrots. But like any other treats that you give to your parrots, there are risks and points that you need to remember to avoid future problems with your feathery friend.