Seed mixtures increase in nutritional value when combined with fresh foods.
The English budgerigar, often referred to as a "budgie," is slightly larger than its American counterpart, the parakeet, with a bigger head and characteristic spotting on its throat feathers. Friendly, active birds that get along well with humans, English budgies typically live between five to eight years. With proper diet and exercise, they could live up to 15 years, according to EnglishBudgies.org.
Seeds and Grains
Pet stores sell various seed mixtures for budgies, but there's strong consensus that adding fresh foods increases the nutritional value of a budgie's diet. Sprouted seeds, though they require proper preparation, rank among the healthiest treats for these birds. Spray millet, also billed as a treat, should be given to budgies in moderation, as some seeds in it -- including hemp, niger seed and sesame -- contain high percentages of fatty oils. The Birds Online website cautions that a fatty diet might lead to health complications, such as adipose tumors.
Vegetables and Forage Plants
English budgies enjoy diversity in their daily diet.
Vegetables such as spinach and broccoli add much needed calcium to a seed-based diet, and budgies love their taste, EnglishBudgie.com reports. Chopped carrots, eggplant, cucumber and celery stalks also appeal to the birds. Birds Online suggests organic vegetables, as some fresh produce contains remnants of pesticides that could cause poisoning. The same applies to forage plants like chicory, dandelion and chickweed: Budgies enjoy them too, but freshness is key.
Fruits and Berries
Sweet treat options include fresh fruit like apples, pears, apricots -- but not their seeds, cautions EnglishBudgies.org -- as well as bananas, blackberries, blueberries and gooseberries. At first, budgies might be reluctant to try something different, but if it's offered consistently, they will come to like it.
Foods to Avoid
Avocados top the list of foods that budgies should never eat, due to their high fat content, warns EnglishBudgie.com. Foods that contain the alkaloid theobromine, such as chocolate and coffee, are toxic to birds. Budgies can't process salt, so they should never eat salted or high sodium foods. Birds Online cautions against giving budgies acidic fruits like lemons, passion fruit and kumquats.
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