Ask Lafeber

Nuts for birds

I have two Meyer Parrots. They love to eat nuts, especially Almonds and Pistachios. What is the proper amount to feed them daily.

Hi Grace,

This is a common question from bird owners. Because birds are small, basically less is more. But is also depends on how much of a food the parrot is actually consuming. As you know, they shave or break off small bits and then if they want to swallow it, they use the tongue to push it to the back of the throat so they can swallow it. Sometimes you can watch a bird and see that not a single bit gets swallowed. LOL If you are offering these daily, I would think no more than maybe half an almond per bird, and one pistachio per bird, unless they are really large pistachios. You want raw or dry roasted, unsalted.

Thank you for asking Lafeber,

Brenda