Conure won't eat ANY other fruit but Apples

[KatieGCC]

Hey guys, I'm new to the forums! A month ago, I purchased a 6month old green cheek conure from a breeder. He was already sexed and was told I had a male. We named him Rado. I know it takes birds quite a while to warm up to you, so everyday i would go in there and talk to him, and play him soft music etc...it took about a month before he would even "step up". Anyhow he is really coming along and has an awesome personality. My only problem I'm having is that he will not eat any other fruit besides apple slices. I have tried ripe banana, kiwi, papaya, strawberries, blueberries, grapes etc, I've also tried tons of veggies and greens, and he wants nothing to do with any of it. All he wants is apples, and that's it. I was told most conures aren't picky? Is this going to end up effecting his health? Any help is appreciated! Thanks!

 

[Birdman666]

Fruit is primarily sugar anyway. So, limited amounts. My conures all LOVED apples. If he likes that, then give him that. They don't need much fruit.

50% pellets, a few nuts (like a couple of cashews, a couple of almonds), a sprinkling of safflower seed (like a small spoonful), one apple slice cut into thirds, and VEGGIES...

(Have you tried sweet potatoes? or cut up red potatos? Have you tried mixing the veggies in with a little plain pasta? They'll usually eat that...

 

[KrisandPenelope]

My conure was the same way. It took me just offering her everyday different veggies and I would eat them in front of her. Eventually she started to play with the chop up pieces of fruit and veggies and realized that they were actually tasty and edible. You can also see if he likes the food warmed up over cold, chopped versus slices.

 

[ZephyrFly]

Try pears? My GCC loves pear

 

[Allee]

If you add a little finely shredded apple to shredded vegetables, carrots, squash, kale, etc, he will probably try the veggies while sorting the apple pieces. It only takes a little apple to flavor a batch of chop. A very small amount of melted coconut oil added to fresh veggies is another trick that usually works.

 

[Mango7218]

Im kinda having the same problem only with a Plum headed parakeet who are not picky eaters at all.He will only eat apple slices and grapes but isn't eating the veg I give him I should also add he will eat any fruit I give him.He used to always enjoy his veg why not now is he not hungry? I gave it to him first thing in the morning for his breakfast and 5 hours later untouched so I say its spoiled and needs to get cleaned now.

 

[rosembers]

You might try making birdie smoothies with bird safe fruits, veggies and berries (and great opportunity to sneak kale and broccoli in there). That's what I do and it's a complete success with even our very stubborn rescues!

 

[MonicaMc]

You might need to be creative in how to offer fresh foods.

Try feeding fresh foods as the first meal in the morning.

Try slicing, dicing, chopping, julienning (long, thin slices), thin round pieces, thick round pieces, try on a skewer, try mixing 3-6 different things together, try mixing with healthy grains, try sprouted seeds, try sprinkling a little of what he already likes on top of the fresh foods.

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

Giving him apples as a 'treat' is fine, but I wouldn't make it their sole diet. Fruits contain a LOT of water which leads to runny stools (which are okay for a few times AFTER eating fruit) but not excessive or it can lead to dehydration.

Veggies and nuts are better for your bird. Berries are good too. I would try squeezing some apple (to get juice) or getting some "100%" apple juice (with NO added ingredients) and dipping foods in it that he won't normally eat.

I would just make sure they are getting enough nutrients, primarily vitamin A. Broccoli, carrots and sweet potatoes are Vit A powerhouses.

 

[Poeia]

A lot of birds are afraid of anything new. You might need to offer something dozens of times before Rado will try it. You could make a treat dish with small pieces of several fruits and vegetables and leave it with him. Even if all he eats are the apples, his beak and tongue will brush by the other items on the way and he'll get a taste. (Cut things like grapes and cherries in half so some of the juice is exposed.)

Don't worry about this affecting his health. If he's getting a good pellet (with or without a seed mix), that's where his nutrition is coming from. Fruit is as much of a treat food as is spaghetti.

 

[Mango7218]

Most Parrots dont eat much fruit or veg in winter because in the wild theres not much.

 

[MonicaMc]

Most Parrots dont eat much fruit or veg in winter because in the wild theres not much.

Actually, that depends on where the birds come from. I know that in South America, fruits are available year round. In Australia, it may be a matter of plants going to seed or plants that have died off for the season with seeds drying out... or it could be new shoots of the season.

 

[JellyBean]

Hi - I had the same problem with JellyBean - I did what other suggested and made a veggie chop in the food processor adding a small bit of apple, grape and blueberries. I then put a few seeds on top and gave it to him first thing in the morning... that worked. To transition him to pellets from seeds (what he was fed in the pet store) I sprinkled them on a wooden board with birdy bread and fruit..he stared to nibble at the pellets - took a while but now he loves them! Be patient.. just keep putting out the veggies and eventually they will eat it!!