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Birds--General/sun conure diet

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Expert: - 7/26/2006


Question
I have a wonderful, sweet, loving (and loud) sun conure and he's only a few months old. I give him a variety of things to eat but I'm concerned about what he CAN'T eat. Chocolate, avacados...is there anything else?

Thanks :)

Answer
Hi, Becky.  Thanks for posting.

Great that you feed your Sun a variety of foods.  Don't allow your bird to have citrus seeds, like the seeds in apples, oranges, etc.  They contain cyanide.  Cherry pits are OK.  Sugar, salt, and caffeine are not good either.  However, a piece of a salted cracker or a small piece of pizza (not a whole slice...just a bite) never hurt a parrot!  If feeding things like spaghetti, don't give the sauce...just the pasta.  Parrots are lactose intolerant, so no milk products, cheese, ice cream made from milk, etc. (although I have a few parrots who like a lick of a milkshake now and then!).

The more variety your parrot eats, the better.

Chrys  

Birds--General

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Chrys Meatyard

Expertise

I`ve been raising/breeding/handfeeding/selling parrots for over 20 years (parakeets/budgies, cockatiels, 6 subspecies of conures, parrotlets, amazons, lovebirds, etc.). I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England. I can provide advice in raising healthy birds, handfeeding/weaning babies, some health problems (although I'm NOT an avian veterinarian), nail/beak/wing clipping, general husbandry, etc. I also have experience with racing/showing homing pigeons. I cannot diagnose specific illness over this website. If you suspect your bird is ill or if you have an emergency, contact an avian veterinarian or emergency pet clinic ASAP.

Experience

Experience: Over 20 years raising parrots and over 13 years raising pigeons. Organizations: Currently, American Racing Pigeon Union and American Federation of Aviculture. Prior member Miami Valley Bird Club, Southern Ohio Pigeon Association, National Cockatiel Society, Miami Valley Sportsman's Club, others. Publications: Monthly newsletters of bird clubs.

Publications
I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England.

Education/Credentials
American Federation of Aviculture, completed Level I course, Fundamentals of Aviculture. Keeping/breeding parrots and other birds for over 20 years.

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