When it comes to food, there are a few things that parrots won’t eat. The list includes seeds, nuts, fruits, vegetables, and even insects. This means that you can pretty much feed your parrot anything you would like, with a few exceptions.
Some birds are known to be picky eaters and may not like certain foods.
Figs are a fruit that some parrots enjoy eating, but there is still some debate over whether or not they are good for them.
In this blog post, we will take a look at figs and whether or not they are safe for parrots to eat.
Stay tuned…
we will also give you a recipe for Fig Parrot Treats!
So, can parrots eat Figs? the answer is yes, they can eat Figs. Figs are a nutritious fruit that provides many health benefits for parrots when offered in moderation. They are high in fiber, vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants. Parrots love the taste of figs, and they make a healthy treat or addition to your bird’s diet.
Just be sure to keep an eye on them and make sure they don’t overindulge; like with most things, moderation is key.
What’s in Figs (Are They Healthy) for parrots?
Figs are one of my very favorite fruits. However, due to their one-of-a-kind flavor and consistency, not everybody enjoys eating them.
The nutritional value of these fruits is on par with that of the vast majority of fruits, which means that they are loaded with all the good stuff.
Figs are an excellent source of natural sugars and fiber, as well as being rich in a variety of vitamins and minerals, such as calcium, which is beneficial for laying parrots, and antioxidants, which can assist in the development of a healthy immune system.
High Sugar
Figs have significant sugar content in addition to their naturally sweet flavor. Figs have a high caloric content and provide an excellent source of energy for your parrots.
According to FoodData Central, a serving size of 100 grams of figs has the potential to contain as much as 74 calories.
Because of the high sugar content, it is imperative that you keep a close eye on the amount of fruit that your parrots ingest.
Excessive consumption of sugar has been linked to a variety of negative health effects.
Vitamin and mineral content is exceptionally high.
Figs are an excellent source of a variety of nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
In the following paragraphs, we will go into additional detail regarding the quantity as well as the overall nutrition that is offered by the delicious and sugary fruit.
The following is a list of a few of the minerals and vitamins that can be obtained through eating figs.
vitamin B6-The formation of blood cells and neurons is dependent on the presence of vitamin B6.
Since vitamin B6 is utilized mostly in the central nervous system, it is imperative that it be consistently supplied to ensure that the body’s ability to perform its functions as a whole is not jeopardized.
A deficiency in vitamin B6 in the diet could lead to a host of issues, including those relating to one’s metabolism and mobility.
Potassium can be beneficial to your parrots in many different ways, including helping to maintain fluid balance and offering an enhancement in nerve signal quality.
magnesium-The development of bones and the processes that occur within enzymes both benefit greatly from magnesium’s presence which ultimately strengthens your parrot’s bones.
It plays a very significant role in the digestion of carbohydrates as well as other types of nutrition.
iron-Your parrot’s blood vessels and nerves will benefit greatly from the addition of iron to their diet. In addition to that, it facilitates the absorption of additional nutrients into the bloodstream, such as iron, which helps to reinforce the immune system.
calcium-If you are maintaining parrots for the purpose of egg production, the calcium consumption of your parrots is of the utmost significance to you.
Because it is more difficult for parrots to obtain calcium from natural sources, feeding them figs, which contain an additional amount of calcium, will result in increased egg production from your parrots.
Eggs that are fragile and easy to shatter are one of the potential side effects of calcium deficiency. A calcium deficit that goes untreated for an extended period of time can cause reproductive issues as well as bone fragility.
Vitamin K is a type of vitamin that aids in the process of blood clotting, in addition to controlling calcium levels and playing a role in bone production.
If your parrots do not get enough of this vitamin, they run the risk of developing an intestinal condition known as coccidiosis.
Coccidiosis is a disease that can be treated, but it still has the potential to kill the animals in your parrots.
Because they are so high in water content, figs are an excellent food choice for the warmer months of the year.
You may provide your parrots with a delicious treat that will help them battle the heat by placing figs inside the refrigerator and then offering them cool but again not frozen.
You can refer to the table that is provided below for additional information regarding the nutritional value if that is something that interests you. According to FoodData Central, these are the macronutrients and micronutrients that are present in approximately 100 grams of fig.
nutrients contained in 100g of fig
| Nutrient | Value |
|---|---|
| protein | 0.75g |
| Vitamin A | 2 µg |
| water | 79.1g |
| Manganese | 0.128mg |
| potassium | 232mg |
| Energy | 74kcal |
| Vitamin K | 0 µg |
| phosphorus | 29 mg |
| carbohydrate | 19.2 g |
| Sugars, total including NLEA | 16.3 g |
| Vitamin K | 4.7 µg |
| Iron | 0.37mg |
| magnesium | 17mg |
| zinc | 0.15 mg |
| Fiber, total dietary | 2.9g |
| Calcium, Ca | 35mg |
| Vitamin A | 142IU |
| Vitamin E | 0.11mg |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 26.2 mg |
| Vitamin B6 , | 0.113mg |
2. Can parrot Eat Dried Figs?
Dried figs are extremely tasty and may be found easily, particularly during the winter months when fresh figs are hard to come by because fig trees have stopped producing fruit.
Dried figs are okay for your parrots to consume; however, you should only give them a very small amount at a time so that they don’t choke.
As the fig fruit is dried, the sugar that is naturally present in the fruit will begin to concentrate on its own.
This is a natural occurrence because as the fruit dries, the moisture evaporates.
Because the crystallization of the sugar could result in a significant increase in calorie content, it is essential to exercise caution with regard to the quantity of dried figs that you feed to your parrots.
If you ever have the intention of purchasing dried figs for your parrots, you must ensure that the figs do not contain any additives or preservatives of any kind.
The use of preservatives can lead to a rise in the amount of added sugar, which in turn leads to an increase in the amount of glycemic acid, making the product less healthy than alternatives that are completely natural.
You have the option of drying the fruit yourself if you have got a fig tree growing in your backyard.
If you dry the figs yourself, you can ensure that the dried figs you provide to your chickens are completely natural and much better for their health.
Can parrots Eat Fig Tree Leaves?
Absolutely NO; the fig tree’s leaves are thought to contain a chemical known as ficin, which is known to be poisonous to a variety of species (and can cause irritation for us).
I had been unable to locate any research that investigated the effects on parrots; nevertheless, those who own dogs are extremely familiar with the term “fig poisoning,” which refers to the toxicity of the leaves.
In light of this, I would advise you to prevent your parrots from coming into contact with anything other than fruit itself just to be in the cautious zone.
How to Feed Figs to Your parrots?
The versatility of figs lies in the fact that they are delicious whether they are fresh or dried. You won’t get sick from eating the skin or the seeds, either, so don’t worry about that.
This means that you are free to choose how you wish to provide figs to your chickens. If you have any dried figs on hand, either include some in their food or toss some in their enclosure to offer them something more to scratch for.
When it comes to a fresh fig, all you have to do is place it in an area where it won’t get too dirty, and I’m sure they’ll pick at it until it’s gone.
Some Foods That parrots Love (& Are Safe)
There is no need to be concerned because there is an abundant supply of foods that are risk-free for your parrots to devour in the event that you decide to cure them.
Simply give them any one of the following, and you will have a flock of happy parrots in no time at all!
Your bird’s diet should include the following percentages of each of the following foods:
- Dairy and Meat – 5% of the diet
- Vegetables and Fruits – 45% of the diet
- Seed and Nuts – &1% of the diet
- Grain Products – 50% of the diet
Fruits
- Clementine oranges
- Grapes (i.e. black, green, red, etc.)
- strawberries
- raspberries
- Apricots (remove pit and area around the pit)
- Honeydew (no rinds)
- Lemons
- Currants
- Pears (remove seeds)
- Bananas (remove peel)
- Blueberries
- Apples (remove seeds and stem)
- Cranberries
- Coconuts
- Plums (remove pit and area around the pit)
- Nectarines (remove pit and area around the pit)
- Oranges
- Cactus fruit
- Plantains
- Cantaloupe (no rinds)
- Grapefruit
- Blackberries
- Raisins
- Tangerines
- Mangoes
- Kiwis
- Papaya
- Peaches (remove pit and area around the pit)
- Mandarin oranges
- Passion fruit
- Dates
- Cherries (no pits)
- Cherimoya
- Guava
- Pomegranate
Recommended Vegetables
- Bamboo shoots
- Cauliflower
- Kohlrabi
- Ginger root
- Chili peppers
- Chayote
- Broccoli flower
- Collard greens
- Peppers (i.e. chili, green, jalapeno, poblano, red, serrano, yellow, etc.)
- Corn
- Cucumbers
- Celery
- Endive
- Bean sprouts
- Carrots (including tops)
- Banana peppers
- Arugula
- Lentils (cooked)
- Parsley
- Broccoli
- Jalapeno peppers
- Chard
- Leeks
- Garlic
- Eggplant (ripe and cooked)
- Beets
- Mustard greens
- Cilantro
- Bell peppers
- Peas (i.e. green, snow, sugar snap, etc.)
- Alfalfa sprouts (you can sprout them yourself)
- Okra
- Asparagus (cooked)
- Cabbage
- Cayenne
- Kale
- Cherry pepper
- Beans (cooked) (i.e. adzuki, butter, garbanzo, green, haricot, kidney, mung, navy, pinto, pole, soy, wax, etc.)
- Chicory
- Baby corn
- Lettuce
- Comfrey
Recommended Nuts
- Filberts
- Cashews
- Brazil nuts (whole only for x-large parrots)
- Macadamia (high in fat)
- Peanuts
- Pine nuts
- Pecans
- Hazelnuts
- Walnuts
- Pistachio nuts
- Almonds
Recommended Grain
- Melba Toast
- Quinoa
- Pretzels (low- or no-salt
- Pearl barley
- Oatmeal
- Noodles and pasta (i.e. macaroni, ravioli, spaghetti, etc.)
Some Foods That Are Toxic to parrots
onions
Sulfoxides are a type of compound that can be found in onions. Even after being cooked, sulfoxides are still present in the substance. Having said that, there is not a single study that has come to the conclusion that onions are poisonous to parrots.
Despite the fact that there is a paucity of evidence from scientific studies, there is reason to suspect that sulfoxides are poisonous to parrots.
2. Garlic
Garlic is yet another component that should never be fed to parrots due to the presence of two chemical compounds:
- Alliinase
- Alliin
A cell wall is what keeps these components in garlic separated from one another. On the other hand, when the cell is sliced, the cell wall is shattered and the two chemicals are mixed together.
When brought together, they produce allicin. Garlic gets its pungent odor from a compound called allicin.
Although allicin does not instantly pose a threat to parrots, it does so over the long term. An unsettled stomach is a common side effect of consuming an excessive amount of allicin.
In severe situations, allicin can lead to red blood cells exploding, which can lead to a condition known as hemolytic anemia. Garlic can upset your parrot’s stomach and impair its mood, even in low doses where it is not toxic.
3. mushrooms
Fungi-like mushrooms have the ability to filter out harmful substances from the soil and air that they grow in. In addition, mushrooms have been shown to contain the toxin amatoxin, which causes some birds to experience stomach trouble.
Cooked mushrooms pose a lower risk of illness to parrots than their raw counterparts. Some varieties have higher concentrations of the deadly substance amatoxin than others. This could lead to problems with digestion, harm to the nervous system, and aches and pains in the muscles.
Your parrot should under no circumstances consume shiitake mushrooms. Even when they are cooked, several varieties of mushrooms can be hazardous to parrots if they are not grown in a secure environment.
4. Rhubarb
Oxalic acid is a naturally occurring chemical that can be found in a variety of plants, including rhubarb. The chemical molecule known as oxalates is produced when oxalic acid binds to minerals in the body.
Oxalates are a sort of substance that are referred to as a “anti-nutrient” by scientific researchers. Oxalates, as their name suggests, inhibit the body’s capacity to absorb nutrients, particularly minerals. This is especially true with calcium.
This chemical is found in a variety of leafy greens and seeds, all of which are safe for parrots to consume. On the other hand, rhubarb has a higher concentration of the toxin, making it risky for your parrot to consume it in its raw form. Rhubarb loses some of its volumes when it is cooked.
Oxalic acid has a number of detrimental impacts on the body, one of which is that it inhibits the body’s ability to absorb nutrients effectively. For instance, oxalic acid has been associated with the development of kidney stones.
According to an article published in The New England Journal of Medicine, kidney stones can form when there is a high concentration of oxalates in the body but a low volume of urine.
