FAQ: Food for birds

Rhubarb, raw potatoes and their leaves, tomato and potato stems and leaves, raw beans and mushrooms are unsuitable for birds. When unsure about a new food, check a reliable source or ask a vet first.

Sweets and sugary snacks are unnecessary for birds, and some sweeteners such as xylitol may be dangerous. Do not give human sweets to birds, even if they beg.

Better not: human food often contains salt, fat, spices, onions or other things dangerous to birds. If you want to share, set aside a little plain, unseasoned vegetables or cooked grains for the bird before cooking.

Mouldy food can contain toxins, so throw it away immediately and wash the bowl. Watch the bird, and if you notice lethargy or changes in appetite or droppings, contact a vet.

Alcohol is highly toxic to birds even in small amounts, and fizzy and sugary drinks contain a lot of sugar, caffeine or sweeteners. Clean water is the only suitable drink for a bird.

Egg food is a soft, protein-rich feed made from egg, grain and other ingredients, often used for canaries, finches and other small birds. It is especially useful during the moult, breeding and chick rearing.

Normally a small amount of egg food a few times a week is enough, and more often during the moult and while raising chicks. Follow the pack instructions, as excess protein outside the breeding season is unnecessary.

Many dry egg foods are served dry or slightly moistened so they are crumbly but not wet. Prepare a moistened portion for one day only and throw away leftovers, because damp food spoils quickly.

Moulting food is a mix or supplement with more protein, amino acids and oil seeds that helps the bird grow new feathers. It is given during the moult, and the usual diet resumes afterwards.

Breeding food is meant to prepare a pair of birds for breeding and feed the chicks: it contains more protein, calcium and vitamins. It is started a few weeks before breeding and continued until the chicks are independent.

Soluble grit, such as crushed shell or oyster shell, dissolves in the digestive tract and provides calcium. Insoluble grit is small stones that help grind seeds for birds that swallow them whole, such as pigeons.

Most birds get enough calcium from a cuttlebone, mineral block or complete pellets. Extra calcium powder may be needed for laying hens or species prone to calcium deficiency, but the amount should come from a vet or the label.

Iodine blocks or iodine-containing mineral supplements give the bird iodine that a seed diet may lack, especially for budgies. Birds fed on pellets usually get enough iodine.

A long-term unbalanced diet can show as dull or ragged feathers, flaky skin and beak, obesity or weight loss, and more frequent illness. Such changes should be assessed by a vet rather than treated with supplements on your own.

Most seeds are low in vitamin A, so eating only a seed mix for a long time can lead to a deficiency. Sources include orange and dark green vegetables such as carrots, pumpkin, bell pepper or kale, and complete pellets.

Bird probiotics are sometimes used after stress, travel or antibiotic treatment, but a healthy bird on a good diet usually does not need them. Ask a vet about using them and follow the label.

No. Millet sprays, honey sticks or seed rings are complementary feeds: they often contain more fat or sugar and lack some essential nutrients. Give them as a treat and keep complete food as the basis.

Protein supplements based on insects or legumes are sometimes used during breeding and the moult, especially for small songbirds. Outside the breeding season most indoor birds do not need them, so follow the manufacturer's directions.

For some species, such as certain finches or insect-eating birds, insects are a natural part of the diet, especially when raising chicks. Most parrots do not need them, and if you give them, choose dried or cleanly raised insects meant for birds.

Hemp and flax seeds are a source of beneficial fatty acids and are often found in canary or parrot mixes. They are fatty, so give them separately in moderation, especially during the moult or the cold season.