Macaw

What should I feed my Macaw

Should I be concerned about what my macaw eats?

Tending to the dietary needs of your bird is one of the biggest responsibilities you’ll have as a macaw owner. The truth is that what you feed your macaw will impact your bird’s health and happiness for decades down the road. Creating the right diet can keep your bird feeling and looking its best. Besides, being proactive about your macaw diet can potentially help you to avoid vet bills down the road. Keep reading to learn what you need to know about pet bird food.

What exactly does my macaw naturally eat?

You might be wondering what the macaw diet looks like in the wild. Wild macaw food like seeds, nuts, berries, and fruits in its natural habitat where it is free and perhaps get more exercise than our feathered friends. The key thing to know is that a wild macaw’s diet will depend entirely on what is available. That means that a wild macaw’s diet is varied and fresh.

What should I feed my macaw?

Fruit

There are many fruits that macaws can safely eat. Here’s a look at the common fruits you can feed your macaw as part of a parrot diet:
  • Bananas
  • Oranges
  • Tangerines
  • Raisins
  • Apples
  • Pears
  • Currants
  • Strawberries
  • Apricots
  • Fresh pineapple
  • Blackberries
  • Mulberries
  • Loganberries
  • Lemons
  • Dates
  • Raspberries
  • Grapefruit
  • Juniper berries
  • Cranberries
  • Cherries
  • Blueberries
  • Kiwi fruit
  • Gooseberries
  • Rowan berries
  • Mandarin oranges
  • Melon
  • Peaches
  • Rosehips
  • Hawthorn berries
  • Wild elderberries
  • Figs
  • You must be careful when it comes to feeding macaws apples, apricots, pears, peaches, and cherries because the seeds and pits in these fruits can contain cyanide.

    You’ll also want to wash the skins of all fruits before giving them to your pet bird. Your bird will be thankful if you cut fruit into chunks that are easy to bite.

    Vegetables

    Macaws can also get fiber and nutrients from vegetables. Many of the vegetables that humans enjoy can be sliced up for macaws. Here’s a look at the popular vegetables that are safe for macaws:
  • Spinach
  • Broccoli
  • Tomatoes
  • Carrots
  • Bell peppers
  • Swiss chard
  • Keep in mind that vegetables with high water percentages don’t offer much nutritional value for a macaw. It’s best to avoid giving your macaw things like pale lettuce and celery often. Always wash the skins of vegetables before feeding them to your macaw.

    DO NOT FEED MACAWS THIS!

    Good for us but extremely toxic for Macaws.
  • Chocolate
  • Tea
  • Coffee
  • Avocados
  • Tomato leaves
  • Raw potatoes
  • Eggplant
  • Onions
  • Garlic

  • Source: Birdstreet Bistro.com