Budgies are curious birds and will likely eat anything you offer them. For proper nutrition, birds need a balance of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water. You can introduce new foods to budgies as treats or nutritional supplements, but make sure the foods are appropriate for your bird. This article discusses the most appropriate foods to use and what not to feed your bird at all.
Both wild and captive budgies’ diets consist mainly of grains and seeds. However, they can eat meat and plants due to their omnivorous nature.
Many fruits and vegetables should be in the budgies’ diet to get vital vitamins and minerals. However, the budgie owner should avoid feeding some fruits and vegetables to the birds as they are toxic, while other foods should be offered in moderation to the budgies as they pose digestive issues to the birds.
List of Food That Budgie Can Eat
Budgies can eat the following:
1. Grains and Seeds
Seeds are necessary for any budgie’s diet. The food given to any budgie should consist of (40-60)% of seed mix.
2. Fruits and Vegetables
To live long and be healthy, your budgies require a supplement of fresh fruits and vegetables daily, though in smaller amounts.
3. Pellets
These are compressed seeds and fruits that are readily prepared for your bird.
4. Eggfood
Eggfood is a rich source of minerals and nutrients; the bird can eat it once a week. The high calcium content increases the budgie’s strength and stimulates growth.
5. Fresh Water
To avoid dehydrating your bird, clean water should be provided twice daily in clean water bowls.
What Human Food Can Budgies Eat?
Human food tends to be bad for a budgie’s kidneys and should be eaten in small quantities by a bird. Dairy products should be consumed in moderation, while bird owners should never give alcoholic beverages to their budgies.
The following is a list of human foods a budgie can eat.
1. Hard-boiled eggs
2. Cooked chicken
3. Tuna
4. Cooked beans
5. Carrots
What Fruit and Veg Can Budgies Eat?
A seed-based diet doesn’t give all the necessary vitamins. Vegetables such as broccoli are essential as they are a source of vitamins A, B, C, and calcium.
In contrast, spinach is rich in vitamins A, E, and K. Fruits are also essential, as they are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants; they should be provided regularly.
What Fruits Can Budgie Eat
A budgie can eat a variety of fruits. However, some fruits, seeds, pits, and stones must be removed as they are toxic.
A budgie can eat apples, bananas, apricots, mangoes, grapes, berries, oranges, melons, pineapples, coconuts, strawberries and cherries, to mention a few.
What Vegetables Can Budgies Eat
For proper nutrition, fresh vegetables should be given to your budgie from time to time.
The following is a list of vegetables your budgie can eat and their benefits:
1. Cabbage: Due to its high water content, cabbage keeps your bird well hydrated and is a source of vitamins B9, C, and K.
2. Carrots: They contain carotene, which enhances the sight of birds.
3. Celery stalks: are good for hydration but should be given as a treat for your bird.
5. Spinach: This is a good antioxidant and is rich in vitamins essential to budgies.
6. Ripe Tomatoes: Tomatoes are a source of vitamin C. Birds should only eat ripe tomatoes because unripe tomatoes are toxic to them.
What are Budgies Favorite Veggies?
Budgies are picky, and they get attracted to foods that are brightly colored and have different textures. Each budgie has its favorite type of food.
Most budgies love the following vegetables: lettuce, carrots, celery, beans, pea pods, spinach, and potatoes.
What is a Budgies Favorite Fruit?
Tropical fruits such as bananas, oranges, melons, pineapples, mangoes, and apples are favorites of most budgies. They are likely to have a taste if given any of the fruits.
How Often Should Budgies Eat?
With food availability, budgies can constantly eat throughout the day and stop at night. A teaspoon of food is sufficient for a budgie. However, a refill is necessary from time to time.
Another option is to provide fresh fruits and vegetables twice daily, as well as a high-quality seed mix. The food can be put out in the morning and evening. Food waste is reduced because the budgies do not consume more than is necessary.
What is Toxic for Budgies?
Some fruits and vegetables are poisonous to budgies and should be avoided.
They include:
1. Chocolate
It contains caffeine and theobromine, which can make a bird hyperactive, increases heart rate and can cause diarrhoea.
2. Avocado
Has persin, which is a fungicidal toxin. Intake of persin can cause heart damage and muscle weakness.
Seeds and Pits
They contain cyanide which can cause a respiratory malfunction in budgies. Medicinal herbs: Herbs such as comfrey should not be given to a bird as they can damage the liver.
Processed Foods
Fried chips and seasoned salads contain high sugar, salt, and fats unsuitable for a budgie’s health.
What Vegetables Are Toxic to Budgies?
Mushrooms, unripe tomatoes, onions, raw potatoes, garlic, canned vegetables, avocado, dates, and moldy vegetables should not be given to budgies as they are poisonous and can affect the health of the birds.
What Do Budgies Eat for Treats
Budgie owners sometimes want to give their birds special foods to express their love for them. These foods should be taken in small amounts and on rare occasions due to their high sugar levels.
Foods like flavored seed sticks, nuts, millet sprays, sunflower seeds, apple slices, honey, butter, pasta, and broccoli florets can be offered as treats.
Baby Budgie Food List
After four weeks, a baby budgie should only use formula. As you introduce them to a whole food, start with soft meals, which are high in proteins but in small amounts. The following is a list of baby budgie food;
1. Boiled egg with shell
2. Cooked brown rice
3. Millet, cornmeal, ground oat
4. Crushed pellets, mixed seeds
5. Chopped and grated fruit and vegetables
6. Ground sunflower seeds
What Seeds Can Budgies Eat
Budgies consume a wide range of seeds, depending on their availability. Budgies can eat the following four categories of seeds:
- Herb seeds: mustard, radish, red clover, chia and dill.
- Grass seeds: Meadow foxtail, orchard grass, velvet grass, Yorkshire grass and rough bluegrass.
- Grains: Amaranth, canary seed, oats, sweet corn, kernels and wheat.
- Legumes: Chickpeas, green peas, lentils, yellow peas and mung beans.
What Can Budgies Not Eat
Budgies should not eat foods with salt or sugar. Fried food, salt crisps, bacon, coffee, caffeinated tea, biscuits, cakes, pizza, bread, and vanilla are to be omitted from the budgies’ diet.
What Do Budgies Eat in The Wild
In the wild, budgies eat various seeds, grasses, grains, fruits, berries, weeds, and other vegetation. They also feed on worms, spiders, beetles, and other insects occasionally.
Can Budgies Eat Cucumber
Yes, budgies can eat cucumber, but only as an occasional treat. The high water content of cucumbers is good for the hydration of the birds. Seeds must be removed as they contain amygdalin, which is dangerous to smaller birds.
Can Budgies Eat Cheese
No, budgies cannot eat cheese. Birds are lactose-intolerant since they lack the enzyme lactase. A lack of lactase makes it difficult to digest dairy products. Eating cheese leads to diarrhea caused by bacteria due to fermentation. Cheese has a lot of salt, leading to ionic imbalance or dehydration.
Also, the high fat content can cause fattening, which increases the risk of diseases in budgies. Thus, cheese is to be given rarely and in small amounts. Enough water should be provided, as cheese causes extreme thirst.