Dr. Nancy Anderson, DVM, ABVP A well- balanced diet is the key to keeping your bird healthy.
Poor nutrition is the most common cause of disease in pet birds.
Although the exact nutritional requirements for all pet bird species are not completely known, current research by organizations such as the American Federation of Aviculturalists and the Association of Avian Veterinarians have found that all-seed diets are deficient in calcium, protein, trace elements, vitamins, and amino acids. This knowledge has come as quite a shock to many devoted bird owners who have fed seed mixes to their pets or breeding pairs for many years. The lack of proper nutrition can explain many of the premature deaths, poor reproductive performances, beak, nail, and feather problems, and neurological disorders that are common among pet birds. Your pet bird needs the following major nutrients at the appropriate levels in his or her diet. Water - Daily, fresh, clean water.