can parrots eat apricots? (Risks & Benefits Explained)

Do you know what apricots are? They’re these little orange fruits that grow on trees. Some people think they taste pretty good, while others don’t seem to be too fond of them.

But can parrots eat apricots? What about other kinds of fruit?

Keep reading to find out!

So, can parrots eat apricots?  The answer is a resounding yes! However, it’s important to remember not to give them the pits or leaves as they contain amygdalin. This toxin converts to cyanide after digestion and can be harmful to your bird. As long as you stick to giving your feathered friend the fruit itself, you have nothing to worry about. 

Are Apricots Healthy for parrots?

Apricots, like most other fruits, are an excellent source of a wide variety of essential nutrients, including minerals, vitamins, as well as antioxidants. A significant portion of which, if they eat them, parrots will profit from in the same way as we do.

However, in general, parrots have quite different nutritional requirements compared to human beings. You can’t bring them up on fruits including apricots by themselves, and you should only give them in small amounts anyhow.

The majority of a backyard parrot’s diet should consist of high-quality feed purchased from a feed store. The food that parrots eat has been developed specifically so that it provides them with all of the essential nutrients that are required for them to stay in prime health and produce eggs.

parrots should also be given “treats” of additional items such as fruits, vegetables, plus table scraps in addition to their regular diet. Typically served later in the day, after they have had their fill of the excellent things earlier in the day.

It’s a well-known fact that parrots will enthusiastically consume virtually any meal you offer them to eat. It’s a terrific opportunity to get to know one another while also having a good time with them.

And this is an even more efficient approach to “recycle” or prevent the loss of food!

Can parrots Eat Apricot Seeds/Pits and Leaves?

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) reports that apricots have trace amounts of cyanide in their leaves, stems, and seeds.

It’s not a huge amount, however, I know plenty of parrot keepers who feed their flock entire apricots without any concerns because parrots don’t consume the seeds in the fruit either.

Despite this, it is important to be aware of the danger. Because I am concerned for their well-being, I do not feed the seeds and any other component of the plant to my flock.

According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), any tiny animal that consumes some of this poison, such as leaves, stems, etc., may have adverse consequences, including trouble breathing, panting, dilated pupils, as well as shock.

Can parrots Eat Dried Apricots?

Apricots, both fresh and dried, are an excellent treat for parrots. You’ve probably observed by now that parrots lack any sort of teeth whatsoever. However, you shouldn’t be concerned because they do not require teeth in order to consume things that are dry or hard.

parrots chew their food thoroughly before swallowing it, at which point it is stored in their crop till they are able to digest it. Following this, the food travels to an organ known as the gizzard.

Their food is broken down into smaller pieces by a powerful muscular organ called the gizzard. Performing the function that other species’ teeth are responsible for very effectively.

How to Feed Apricots to Your parrots?

You have two options when it comes to providing your parrots with apricots: you can either provide them with fresh apricots or combine them with other fruits.

It is vital to eliminate the pit from each fruit, and it does not matter which method you choose to do it.

Fresh Apricots.

Your parrots will benefit the most nutritionally from eating fresh apricots, so be sure to give those to them.

To remove the pit from an apricot, first cut the fruit in half lengthwise and then remove the pit. After that, you have the option of feeding the parrots the fruit in its entirety or slicing it up into smaller pieces.

One thing that you should be mindful of is the source of the apricots that you are using. When fruit is purchased from a supermarket, there is a good chance that the skin of the fruit will have residual amounts of chemical residue.

Apricots are often cultivated with the assistance of fertilizers, and pesticides are frequently used to keep unwanted visitors away from the fruit.

Combining It With Other Types Of Fruit

A fruit salad can be made using apricots together with a variety of other fruits. This is a wonderful way to improve the parrots’ diet and give them a nutritional boost. You can also include papaya, strawberries, figs, as well as blueberries in the mixture in addition to the apricots.

Take care to use only a small portion of each different fruit. The majority of fruits contain a lot of sugar, which, in sufficient quantities, can be harmful to parrots.

As soon as all of the fruits have been combined, combine them in a bowl and then give them to the parrots to eat. In order to maintain a sanitary environment, you can only put them inside of their feeding bowl.

Other parrots treat

here are some of the other items that people regularly feed their parrots: oats, corn, soybeans, wheat, and rye.

1. Vegetables and Fruits – 45% of the diet
2. Dairy and Meat – 5% of the diet
3. Seed and Nuts – &1% of the diet
4. Grain Products – 50% of the diet

Fruits

1. Lemons
2. Pineapple
3. Pomegranate
4. Figs
5. Papaya
6. Mandarin oranges
7. Kumquats
8. Plantains
9. Grapes (i.e. black, green, red, etc.)
10. Mangoes
11. Nectarines (remove pit and area around the pit)
12. Tangerines
13. Plums (remove pit and area around the pit)
14. Honeydew (no rinds)
15. Pears (remove seeds)
16. Raisins
17. Peaches (remove pit and area around the pit)
18. Oranges
19. Dates
20. strawberries
21. Passion fruit
22. blackberries?
23. Loquat
24. Guava
25. Kiwis

Recommended Vegetables

1. Peas (i.e. green, snow, sugar snap, etc.)
2. Broccoli flower
3. Parsley
4. Carrots (including tops)
5. Cilantro
6. Peppers (i.e. chili, green, jalapeno, poblano, red, serrano, yellow, etc.)
7. Endive
8. Chayote
9. Jalapeno peppers
10. Kohlrabi
11. Comfrey
12. Swiss Chard
13. Chicory
14. Okra
15. Mustard greens
16. Cucumbers
17. Cayenne
18. Cauliflower
19. Collard greens
20. Corn
21. Beans (cooked) (i.e. adzuki, butter, garbanzo, green, haricot, kidney, mung, navy, pinto, pole, soy, wax, etc.)
22. Leeks
23. Eggplant (ripe and cooked)
24. Celery
25. Banana peppers
26. Ginger root
27. Kale
28. Lentils (cooked)
29. Asparagus (cooked)
30. Baby corn
31. Lettuce
32. Arugula
33. Broccoli
34. Cherry pepper
35. Cabbage
36. Bell peppers
37. Beets
38. Bamboo shoots
39. Bean sprouts
40. Alfalfa sprouts (you can sprout them yourself)
41. Chili peppers

Recommended Nuts

1. Pistachio nuts
2. Pecans
3. Walnuts
4. Hazelnuts
5. Brazil nuts (whole only for x-large parrots)
6. Cashews
7. Filberts
8. Pine nuts
9. Peanuts
10. Macadamia (high in fat)
11. Almonds

Recommended Grain 

1. Noodles and pasta (i.e. macaroni, ravioli, spaghetti, etc.)
2. Pearl barley
3. Quinoa
4. Oatmeal
5. Melba Toast
6. Pretzels (low- or no-salt