Noble-Male African Grey Bird

 

Ways to Get Your Parrot to Try New Foods

 

Best food for African grey parrot Eat the new food in front of the bird, acting like it is delicious!Parrots learn by example, just like humans do. If a Parrot sees you eating something and enjoying it, it is more likely to try it. If you have another bird, they can learn from each other, so the more adventurous eater can encourage the other bird to taste something new.

 

2. Refuse to share a food you are eating and obviously enjoying.

You forbid the bird a taste. Leave a bit of the food within the bird’s reach as you turn and look away. This enables the bird to “steal” the new food, something many Parrots simply cannot resist!

3. Mix the new food with something the bird really likes.

For example, mix a favourite fruit juice with pellets you are trying to get the bird to try. Serve it warm or room temperature.best food for African grey parrot

4. Mash the new food up and cook it in something the bird really likes.best food for african grey parrot

Many Parrot owners find their birds like things cooked into “birdie bread” (which you can find here) or Sally Blanchard’s “Glop.” (See the recipe at the end of this article). When the new food is thoroughly mixed in, the bird cannot pick it out and throw it away.best food for African grey parrot

5. Hang the new food in the bird’s cage.best food for african grey parrot

You can hang a whole carrot (complete with tops) from the side of the cage with a clip, or hang it from a Parrot food skewer (such as these). If you hang something the Parrot already likes with a new food, you are likely to get the bird to come over to investigate. So you could, for example, skewer a grape with a small piece of broccoli. Small birds like Budgerigarsand Cockatielstend to like food clipped to the side of the cage instead of cut up in a bowl.

PLEASE NOTE: Make certain the clip or skewer is made of wood (like a clothes peg) or stainless steel if you are going to clip up something acidic like tomato or citrus fruits. Otherwise, you could expose your bird to toxic zinc.