Determining a Healthy Diet for a Conure Parrot

Conure parrots are a family that requires a lot of daily attention and has a long life span, as much as 25 years in captivity. Their wingspan can be a little over one foot, and they are often called mini macaws for their bright plumage. Indeed a conure parrot is a type of New World family whose species can be yellow, orange, green, gray, or any combination of these bright colors.

They are not as high-maintenance as the bigger parrots, such as macaws, but like any bird, they will live a happier healthier life the more you play with them and the better their diet.

It all Starts With a Pellet for the Conure Parrot

A conure parrot will eat about three teaspoons of pellet food each day. Specialty stores and online retailers sell pellets formulated for the nutrition requirements of a conure parrot. Some pet owners report that their parrots seem to have more relish for pellets in different sizes and shapes; try mixing different pellets and see how your conure parrot likes it.

Keep pellets, and of course, fresh water, in the parrot's cage at all times. Replace and replenish uneaten food or water every day.

Strangely enough, seeds are not a big component of the menu for a healthy domesticated conure parrot. They are low in vitamins and high in fat; a few seeds and especially a millet spray is a nice snack, but not a whole diet. Your bird will also enjoy scraps of bread, pasta, or other grains.

Get Them to eat Their Greens

A conure parrot should eat about a teaspoonful of fresh green vegetables every day. They are not picky. If you are eating healthy vegetables each day, they can just take a bite of yours. Leafy greens like lettuce or kale, broccoli, okra, whatever you are preparing, prepare a little dish for them. Remember to also include a little fruit - but not too much as it is high in sugar.

Most fanciers suggest giving a conure parrot a little "dish" of vegetable food, and he will eat what he needs. Remove the rest within about two hours, before it spoils. Feed the parrot his vegetables at about the same time every day.

Overall the most important thing to remember is to simply take as best care of this parrot as you possibly can, and informing yourself about their lifestyle and needs is truly the only way that you can do this.