Military Macaw and meat

[PanZon]

Hi everyone. I have a question about my 25 y/o Military Macaw, I read that meat is not a part of their diet, yet he will come from across the room to have a bite of my turkey sammich! He loves it! I dont put anything on it thats bad for birds, it is just turkey, bread and cheese, no dressings or fixings, so I give him a bit. I'm just wondering am I hurting him? Can he digest it ok?

 

[Mekaisto]

Meat is fine for parrots - but is it processed turkey slices, or actual turkey meat?

Processed food tends to be quite high in salt, even if you can't really taste it. A little bit won't hurt him though.

 

[Mattroma]

I feed my harlequin meat, he usually gets a small portion of what every we are having for diner. Chicken and burgers are amount his favorite.
I avoid feeding him deli meats because they tend to be high in sodium and contain other preservatives.

 

[Kiwibird]

Virtually all parrots are opportunistic omnivores. Basically, they mainly eat fruit, seeds and nuts, but they will also eat bugs and scavenge carcasses when they find one. They eat just about everything, like colorful pigeons

Meat shouldn't be a huge part of his diet, but a couple bites out of your sandwich isn't going to harm him. It's actually probably good for him, a nice little bit of protein every so often. Beyond outright toxic foods, there really isn't much a parrot can't eat. Anything processed, salty or sweet should only be fed in very small amounts, but actual meat (eggs too) are good sources of protein and can be fed a few times a week.

O ya, some parrots also *LOVE* (cooked) bones. They will crack them and eat up the marrow. It's a rich source of a variety of nutrients.

 

[PanZon]

Thanks everyone, I was just concerned because i have read that lots of birds will eat meats, but that this was one of the few whos diet it was listed on.