Nutrition Safety Checker

Search our comprehensive database to find out if a food is safe for your parrot. Filter by safety level or food category.

Showing 109 of 109 foods

Food	Safety	Category	Notes
Almonds (unsalted)	Safe	Nuts	Good protein and healthy fats. Offer raw, unsalted. 1-2 per day for large parrots.
Amaranth	Safe	Grains	Ancient grain, high in protein and calcium. Cook or sprout.
Apple (no seeds)	Safe	Fruits	Remove seeds — they contain cyanide. Flesh and skin are great.
Asparagus	Safe	Vegetables	Lightly cooked preferred. May cause smelly droppings (just like humans).
Banana	Safe	Fruits	High in sugar — offer in moderation. Great for training treats.
Barley (cooked)	Safe	Grains	Nutritious whole grain. Good in bird chop mixes.
Basil	Safe	Herbs	Safe and aromatic. Many birds enjoy fresh herbs.
Beets	Safe	Vegetables	Highly nutritious. Will turn droppings red — don't panic, it's normal.
Bell Peppers	Safe	Vegetables	All colors are safe. Seeds are safe too. Rich in vitamin C.
Blueberries	Safe	Fruits	Excellent antioxidants. May temporarily stain droppings purple — this is normal.
Brazil Nuts	Safe	Nuts	Rich in selenium. Limit to 1 per week for large parrots — selenium toxicity is possible.
Broccoli	Safe	Vegetables	Nutrient-dense superfood for birds. Florets and stalks are both safe.
Brown Rice (cooked)	Safe	Grains	Safe and filling. More nutritious than white rice.
Buckwheat	Safe	Grains	Gluten-free grain. Nutritious cooked or sprouted.
Cantaloupe	Safe	Fruits	Rich in beta-carotene. Wash the rind before cutting.
Carrots	Safe	Vegetables	Excellent source of vitamin A. Serve raw or lightly steamed. Tops are safe too.
Cashews (unsalted)	Safe	Nuts	Safe raw or roasted (unsalted only). Good protein source.
Cauliflower	Safe	Vegetables	Florets and leaves are safe. Good crunch enrichment.
Celery	Safe	Vegetables	Remove strings for small birds to prevent crop impaction. Leaves are nutritious.
Cherries (no pit)	Safe	Fruits	Remove pits — they contain cyanide. Flesh is safe and nutritious.
Chia Seeds	Safe	Seeds	Superfood — omega-3, fiber, protein. Can be offered dry or soaked.
Cilantro	Safe	Herbs	Safe and nutritious. Some birds love it, others won't touch it.
Coconut	Safe	Fruits	Fresh coconut flesh is safe. Avoid sweetened/dried coconut.
Coconut (fresh)	Safe	Nuts	Fresh coconut flesh and shredded unsweetened coconut are both safe.
Cooked Chicken (plain)	Safe	Protein	Small amounts occasionally. No seasoning, no skin. Some species enjoy it.
Corn	Safe	Vegetables	On the cob is great enrichment. High in starch — offer in moderation.
Couscous (cooked)	Safe	Grains	Quick to prepare. Mix with chopped vegetables for a complete meal.
Cucumber	Safe	Vegetables	Hydrating but low in nutrients. Good occasional treat.
Dandelion Greens	Safe	Vegetables	Highly nutritious if from pesticide-free sources. Rich in calcium and vitamin A.
Dill	Safe	Herbs	Safe fresh herb. Good for variety in the diet.
Fig	Safe	Fruits	Fresh or dried (unsweetened). Good source of calcium.
Flax Seeds	Safe	Seeds	Rich in omega-3. Grind for better absorption or offer whole for foraging.
Grapes	Safe	Fruits	Cut in half for smaller birds. Wash well. Both red and green are fine.
Green Beans	Safe	Vegetables	Raw or lightly steamed. Good source of vitamins and fiber.
Hard-Boiled Egg	Safe	Protein	Excellent protein source, especially during molting. Shell can be offered for calcium.
Hemp Seeds	Safe	Seeds	Complete protein with all amino acids. Excellent supplement.
Hot Peppers	Safe	Vegetables	Birds lack capsaicin receptors — they can't taste the heat! Great enrichment.
Kale	Safe	Vegetables	Nutrient powerhouse. Wash thoroughly. Can be offered as a hanging leaf for foraging.
Kiwi	Safe	Fruits	High in vitamin C. Skin is edible but most birds prefer the flesh.
Legumes (cooked)	Safe	Protein	Lentils, chickpeas, black beans — all must be fully cooked. Excellent protein. NEVER raw.
Macadamia Nuts	Safe	Nuts	Safe for birds (toxic for dogs, not birds). Very high in fat.
Mango	Safe	Fruits	Remove skin and pit. Rich in vitamin A — great for feather health.
Millet	Safe	Seeds	Classic bird treat. Spray millet is great for bonding and training.
Mint	Safe	Herbs	Safe in small amounts. Strong scent may deter some birds.
Oats	Safe	Grains	Raw or cooked. Steel-cut or rolled. Good fiber source.
Orange	Safe	Fruits	High in vitamin C. Some birds dislike citrus — offer in moderation.
Oregano	Safe	Herbs	Safe and has natural antibacterial properties.
Papaya	Safe	Fruits	Contains digestive enzymes. Remove seeds. Excellent for digestion.
Parsley	Safe	Herbs	Safe in moderation. Good vitamin K source. Not parsley root.
Passion Fruit	Safe	Fruits	Seeds and flesh are safe. Tart flavor — not all birds enjoy it.
Pasta (cooked, plain)	Safe	Grains	Whole wheat preferred. Plain only — no sauce. Fun shape enrichment.
Peach (no pit)	Safe	Fruits	Remove pit — contains cyanide compounds. Flesh is nutritious.
Pear (no seeds)	Safe	Fruits	Remove seeds. Good source of fiber and vitamin C.
Peas	Safe	Vegetables	Fresh or frozen (thawed). Fun foraging food. High in protein.
Pecans	Safe	Nuts	High in healthy fats. Offer sparingly — very calorie-dense.
Pine Nuts	Safe	Nuts	Great training treat due to small size. High fat — use sparingly.
Pineapple	Safe	Fruits	Fresh only — not canned (too much sugar/acid). Rich in bromelain.
Pistachios (unsalted)	Safe	Nuts	Must be unsalted and unshelled is great foraging enrichment.
Pomegranate	Safe	Fruits	Seeds are safe and most parrots love them. Very messy — prepare accordingly.
Pumpkin Seeds	Safe	Seeds	Excellent nutrition. Raw or lightly toasted. Natural dewormer.
Quinoa (cooked)	Safe	Grains	Complete protein. Rinse well before cooking. Excellent nutrition.
Radish	Safe	Vegetables	Safe but spicy — many birds won't eat it. Leaves are nutritious.
Raspberries	Safe	Fruits	Great antioxidants. May stain droppings temporarily.
Safflower Seeds	Safe	Seeds	Lower in fat than sunflower. Good seed mix component.
Sesame Seeds	Safe	Seeds	Good calcium source. Offer in small amounts mixed with other foods.
Sprouted Seeds	Safe	Protein	Sprouting increases nutrient content dramatically. Rinse twice daily to prevent mold.
Squash (all types)	Safe	Vegetables	Butternut, acorn, spaghetti — all safe. Cook hard varieties. Seeds are a bonus treat.
Strawberries	Safe	Fruits	Rich in vitamin C. Wash thoroughly to remove pesticides.
Sweet Potato (cooked)	Safe	Vegetables	Must be cooked. Rich in vitamin A and beta-carotene. Never raw.
Thyme	Safe	Herbs	Safe herb with mild flavor. Natural antiseptic properties.
Tofu	Safe	Protein	Firm tofu in small cubes. Good protein source. Plain, unseasoned only.
Turnip	Safe	Vegetables	Root and greens are both safe. Good calcium source.
Walnuts	Safe	Nuts	Excellent omega-3 source. Crack the shell for enrichment. Watch for mold.
Watermelon	Safe	Fruits	Hydrating treat. Seeds are fine for birds to eat.
Zucchini	Safe	Vegetables	Raw or cooked. Seeds are safe. Mild flavor most birds enjoy.
Citrus Fruits	Caution	Fruits	Safe in small amounts but high acidity can cause digestive upset in some birds.
Cooked Fish (plain)	Caution	Protein	Plain, boneless, fully cooked. Occasional treat. Not a necessary part of the diet.
Dairy (most)	Caution	Other	Birds are lactose intolerant. Small amounts of hard cheese or yogurt are OK occasionally.
Dried Fruit (sweetened)	Caution	Fruits	Only offer unsweetened varieties. Added sugar is harmful to birds.
Eggplant	Caution	Vegetables	Nightshade family. Flesh is likely safe cooked, but stems/leaves are toxic. Best avoided.
Honey	Caution	Other	Risk of botulism spores. Pasteurized honey in tiny amounts is likely safe, but not recommended.
Peanuts	Caution	Nuts	Risk of Aspergillus mold (aflatoxins). Only offer human-grade, roasted unsalted. Never raw.
Spinach	Caution	Vegetables	Contains oxalic acid which binds calcium. Offer sparingly — not as a staple green.
Sugar (excess)	Caution	Other	No candy, cookies, or sugary foods. Natural fruit sugars are fine in moderation.
Sunflower Seeds	Caution	Seeds	High in fat — should be a treat, not a staple. Addictive — birds will eat these over everything else.
Swiss Chard	Caution	Vegetables	Like spinach — contains oxalates. Occasional treat only.
Tomato	Caution	Fruits	Flesh is safe in moderation. Avoid leaves and stems — they're toxic (nightshade family).
Whole Wheat Bread	Caution	Grains	Occasional treat only. Low nutrition, fills them up without providing much value.
Apple Seeds	Toxic	Fruits	Contain amygdalin which converts to cyanide. Always core apples before offering.
Cherry Pits	Toxic	Fruits	Contain cyanide compounds. Remove all pits before offering cherry flesh.
Chives	Toxic	Vegetables	Allium family — toxic. Avoid all alliums.
Garlic	Toxic	Vegetables	Contains allicin — toxic to birds. Even small amounts can cause anemia.
Junk Food	Toxic	Other	Crackers, cookies, pretzels — no nutritional value and harmful ingredients.
Leek	Toxic	Vegetables	Same family as onions/garlic. Toxic to birds.
Mushrooms	Toxic	Vegetables	Many species are toxic. Avoid all mushrooms — the risk isn't worth it.
Onion	Toxic	Vegetables	Contains sulfur compounds that destroy red blood cells. All forms are dangerous.
Peach/Plum Pits	Toxic	Fruits	Contain cyanide compounds. Only the flesh is safe.
Potato Leaves/Stems	Toxic	Vegetables	Nightshade family — all green parts are toxic.
Processed/Fried Foods	Toxic	Other	No chips, fries, pizza, etc. High in salt, fat, and preservatives harmful to birds.
Raw Potato	Toxic	Vegetables	Contains solanine (nightshade family). Cooked white potato is safe in small amounts.
Rhubarb	Toxic	Fruits	Contains oxalic acid. Leaves are especially dangerous. Avoid entirely.
Salt (excess)	Toxic	Other	Birds cannot process excess salt. Never offer salted foods, chips, or crackers.
Tomato Leaves/Stems	Toxic	Vegetables	Nightshade family — leaves and stems contain solanine.
Xylitol	Toxic	Other	Artificial sweetener found in gum and sugar-free products. Toxic to birds.
Alcohol	Deadly	Other	DEADLY. Even tiny amounts cause organ failure. Keep all alcohol away from birds.
Avocado	Deadly	Fruits	DEADLY. Contains persin — toxic to birds even in small amounts. No part is safe.
Caffeine	Deadly	Other	DEADLY. Coffee, tea, energy drinks, cola. Causes cardiac arrest in birds.
Chocolate	Deadly	Other	DEADLY. Contains theobromine and caffeine. Even small amounts can be fatal.
Raw Beans	Deadly	Protein	DEADLY. Raw/undercooked beans contain hemagglutinin — fatal to birds. Must be fully cooked.

Disclaimer: This guide covers common foods but is not exhaustive. When in doubt, don't feed it. Always consult your avian veterinarian about your specific bird's dietary needs.