Amazon Eating Habits

[Heli]

Please I need some advice... I adopted an Amazon parrot last February, I think he is not that young because “JACK” lived with her human mom for 25 years. She was a senior lady who died at the age of 102 years. They lived the last 7 months in a small room at the Care facility. She raised him mostly on human’s food and now I am having hard time trying to teach him to eat Parrot’s food as the main food. I tried different pallets from the pet store (here in Canada - Okanagan area) and JACK only picks and eats few little things. Even eating a bit has improving his colours. Any suggestions what food can be yummy for Jack? I have been working with him a lot trying to improve his wild behaviour and I can see some improvement but I am not having that much luck with his eating habits

 

[itzjbean]

As a parrot who enjoyed human foods he may enjoy veggies a lot, so my advice is to try a ton of veggies. You can make them into birdie bread (cornbread mfufin mixed with chopped veggies) and serve it to him that way, my cockatiels LOVE that stuff and its a good way to get them eating veggies. You can also try more chop recipes which include some pasta, rice, legumes, etc that would be good to try.

 

[Scott]

You'll find excellent advice here: http://www.parrotforums.com/parrot-...7-converting-parrots-healthier-diet-tips.html

The other "sticky" threads atop the Parrot Foods, Recipes, and Diet forum are superb: http://www.parrotforums.com/parrot-food-recipes-diet/

 

[Kiwibird]

What kind of human food does Jack like? Not all human food is bad for parrots and I’d argue healthy human foods (fruits, veggies, whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds etc...) may be a better and more natural diet than pellets (which are highly processed and some avian vets are now turning away from).

If her owner lived to 102, I’m guessing she didn’t live that long off junk food, soda and sweets... Her usual diet may not be all that “bad” for a bird. I’m also guessing if the lady was in a care facility and extremely old, Jack may have less than perfect plumage because she hasn’t had a bath in a while. Have you tried giving a bath yet?

Also, do you have a bigger photo of Jack? From her profile photo it appears she may in fact be a blue fronted amazon and not an orange wing, not that they have different dietary needs.

 

[texsize]

My Orange win amazon loved carrots.
also liked apple (but avoid the seeds).
The links listed above are a great resource.

 

[SailBoat]

Love the advice provided above!

And as so well stated, the healthier part of the Human diet is also health for Parrots. Its the Junk food and highly processed foods that are problematic.
We have long worked with Amazons on poor diets heavy in Sunflower and peanut base. With those two items we quickly eliminate or at least greatly reduce.
Big Point, Older Amazons can be very set in their ways and change can be like difficult. The best process is over longer periods of time and with lots of variations to what is served. Also, Amazon to Amazon, there will be vast differences in their likes and dislikes all the way down to how it is cut.
The Most Important Thing is Do Not Switch Stuff out so rapidly that your Amazon stops eating!!!
Dinner with the family is a great tool to introducing new things to an Amazon. But, just because you provide your Amazon with his /her own plate, do not be surprised if your plate (even with the same things) ends up being the place to try new things!
Long before Parrot diets included pellets and other stuff and they eat with their Humans.

 

[wrench13]

Hi there! 'Boats is correct on an importnt point. Have dinner WITH your amazon, it makes them feel like they are part of your 'flock' . And a good time to introduce different foods. Good Luck with him,