What Do Parrotlets Eat? 21 Safe Fruits & Vegetables

Parrotlets are one of the most popular pet birds across the globe. They are just a little smaller than Parakeets and are fairly easy to take care of.

They have some vulnerabilities with some foods, but their diet can be balanced easily if you know what parrotlets eat? In this article, we will answer the following questions: what can parrots eat? Best fruits for parrotlets, and what vegetables can parrotlets eat?

If you are looking for one of these answers, you have ended up in the excellent article as we are answering this question in detail but in an easy-to-read format.

What Do Parrotlets Eat?

Parrotlets can eat a mix of pellets, seeds of vegetables, nuts and legumes, and fruits. All this variety plays an important role in providing nutrients in some way or the other. These foods help your parrotlets gain the energy they need throughout the day and the benefits of essential vitamins and minerals on their body for longevity.

However, there are some dangerous foods that you should avoid feeding to parrotlet, but we will talk about those in the rest of this article. As a general idea, you should avoid feeding any human-grade food to your pet parrotlets, no matter how interesting they might be enabling it.

Plus, a little can go a long way when it comes to the ideal parrotlet diet. So, small amounts of everything will make a varied but healthy diet for parrotlets. Let’s talk about what parrotlets can eat in depth.

What Can Parrotlets Eat?

Here, we will find out what nuts parrotlets can eat? We will also take a quick look at the following questions: what fruits can parrotlets eat? & best vegetables for parrotlets.

Best Fruits For Parrotlets

There are many fruits, but you should make sure they are completely safe for parrotlets to eat before offering one. You should avoid those fruits that might cause digestive imbalance or be dangerous to your parrotlet. Some fruits tend to be high in sugar content, while some contain pesticides.

You should get organic fruits from the store or, if possible, from the farmer directly. Avoid feeding too many fruits to your parrotlet as fruit should amount to just around 5+10% of their daily intake. Here is the list of safe fruits you can give to your parrotlet.

Best Fruits For Parrotlets	Note
Star fruit	Birds with kidney problems should avoid star fruits
Asaki melon	Seeds are safe
Passion fruit	Remove rind
Pomegranate	Remove rind
Casaba melon	Seeds are safe
Fig	Seeds are safe
Grape	Seeds are safe
Hami melon	Seeds are safe
Apple	Remove seeds. Seeds contain cyanide
Plums	Remove pit
Papaya	Seeds are safe
Date	Seeds are safe
Peach	Remove pit and skin
Dragonfruit	Seeds are safe
Kiwi	Remove peel

Safe Fruits For Parrotlets

Can Parrotlets Eat Oranges?

Yes. Parrotlets can eat oranges. Consider offering only a few oranges as they are highly acidic and should only be offered to parrotlets in moderation.

Can Parrotlets Eat Bananas?

Yes. Parrotlets can eat bananas, including their peel, and you don’t necessarily have to skin off the bananas. Bananas are the favorite treats for parrotlets to take a nip on with a smooth texture and sweet taste.

Can Parrotlets Eat Strawberries?

Yes. Strawberries are completely safe for parrotlets, even if they contain seeds, and it is high in oxidants, vitamin C, and other essential nutrients. It’s a healthy idea to provide a whole strawberry once a week to your parrotlet as it strengthens the immune system and encourages healthy plumage. Parrotlets can even eat strawberry seeds, leaves, and flesh, of course.

Can Parrotlets Eat Grapes?

Yes. Grapes are a hit among all parrotlets across the world. Being very sweet with a high level of fructose, it’s no wonder why parrotlets love this fun bite-sized fruit. You can offer a grape piece to give your parrotlet a quick energy boost. However, too much should be avoided.

Can Parrotlets Eat Watermelon?

Yes. Watermelon tends to be a good source of hydration for birds, and Parrotlets can eat watermelon and benefit from a boost in their immune system. Watermelons are also a good source of vitamin A, Vitamin C, Phosphorus, potassium, and choline.

Can Parrotlets Eat Peaches?

Yes. Peaches are safe for parrotlets to have as long as the seed/stone is removed. You should also peel off the peaches and wash them to remove any pesticide traces.

You should avoid feeding too much to your parrotlet in one go. The flesh of peaches is healthy for parrotlets to eat when given alongside pellets and various other foods providing optimal nutrition.

Can Parrotlets Eat Blueberries?

Yes. Blackberries are completely safe for parrotlets to enjoy. Blueberries being one of the healthiest fruits, it is also high in nutrients but low in sugar and calories compared to other berries. A couple of blueberries won’t harm your parrotlet.

Can Parrotlets Eat Kiwi?

Yes. Parrotlets can eat kiwi along with a few nuts and seeds. Fruit should only make up about 10% of your parrotlet diet, or it can be given sparingly as a treat. Before offering this delicious and nutritious fruit, wash it thoroughly to remove any traces of pesticides. It is best to offer organic Kiwis to parrotlets.

Best Vegetables For Parrotlets

It has become one of the safest types of parrotlets food you can go with when it comes to vegetables. Being low in sugar, most leafy greens are recommended for parrotlets. However, make sure to buy organic ones with no pesticides.

Most of the leafy greens contain large amounts of pesticides. Always do your research before adding any new type of vegetable to your parrotlet diet. Here are some safe veggies you can offer to your parrotlet anytime to eat. Ensure that the vegetable is only taking 15 to 20% off your parrotlet’s overall diet.

Best Vegetables For Parrotlets	Note
Chili padi	Seeds are safe to eat.
Bell pepper	Seeds are safe
Brussels sprouts	Best to encourage foraging behavior
Artichoke	Best to encourage foraging behavior
Green beans	Best to encourage foraging behavior
Arugula	Safe
Cabbage	Safe
Collard greens	Safe
Cucumber	Safe
Swiss chard	Best fo for picky eaters
Radish	Safe
Pumpkin	Seeds are safe
Sweet potato	Safe
Corn	Avoid processed corn
Parsnip	Safe

Safe Vegetables For Parrotlets

Can Parrotlets Eat Tomatoes?

Occasionally. Parrotlets can have a couple of nips on tomatoes, but many veterinarians recommend not offering these vegetables to birds. Being highly acidic, tomatoes could potentially cause ulcers in parrotlets.

Can Parrotlets Eat Carrots?

Yes. Parrotlets can eat carrots in moderation. Fresh raw carrots, frozen carrots, and cooked carrots can be offered to parrotlets. Do note that fresh carrots tend to have more water content than frozen/dried ones with almost the same nutrient value.

Can Parrotlets Eat Cucumber?

Yes. Parrotlets love eating cucumbers as it is crisp, succulent flesh. It is good to offer cucumber in the summertime as it is a good source of hydration for birds. A frozen cucumber will leave your parrotlets whistling a happy tune in the summertime.

Can Parrotlets Eat Broccoli?

Yes. Parrotlets can eat broccoli in all forms. Whether cooked or raw, broccoli is a tasty treat and supplement for captive birds.

Can Parrotlets Eat Yellow Peppers?

Yes. Parrotlets can eat yellow peppers, dried chili peppers, red chilies, green peppers, and other varieties. However, peppers should be offered in moderation as they may cause sensitivity or digestive issues.

Best Nuts For Parrotlets

When you are out of pellets and seeds, you can also give nuts to parrotlets. Nuts being high in many nutrients like antioxidants and omega-3 essential fatty acids, it is healthy if given in moderation to parrotlet.

Here’s a list of safe nuts to give to your parakeets.

Dry Or Soaked (Both Can Be Given)	Note
Walnuts	Dry Or Soaked (Both Can Be Given)
Pistachios	Good As Low In Fat
Pecan nuts	Dry Or Soaked (Both Can Be Given)
Pine nuts	Dry Or Soaked (Both Can Be Given)
Hazelnuts	High In Protein
Brazil nuts	Dry Or Soaked (Both Can Be Given)
Cashew nuts	Dry Or Soaked (Both Can Be Given)
Almonds	soak for 8-12 hours
Macadamia nuts	High In Fat

Dry Or Soaked (Both Can Be Given)

You can also select a premade nut mix for parrotlets, which you can use as a treat when training them.

Can Parrotlets Eat Peanuts?

Yes. Parrotlets can eat peanuts in moderation. Peanuts tend to be high in fat, so a few pieces of it would be enough for a parrotlet to have in a week. You can offer raw and roasted peanuts both as long as it is free from salt or additives.

Can Parrotlets Eat Monkey Nuts?

Occasionally. Parrotlets should never be given too much monkey nuts as they can pile up fat. Parrotlets are prone to obesity, kidney, and liver problems.

Best Treat For Parrotlet (Extra Rich In Fruits, Nuts & Vegetables)

Vitakraft Fruit Cocktail Parrot & Cockatiel Treat

Whether you are trying to reward your parrotlet or want to have one with balanced nuts and nutritional content, you’ll have everything with this one. This treat comes very handy in rewarding your parrotlet and training them also. It has been made using 11 easy-to-pronounce nutritional ingredients. It is high in vitamins and minerals as it contains dehydrated pineapples, banana, coconut, carrots, whole peanuts, and raw pepper. Just like any treat, keep an eye on the portion size as you don’t want to over-treat your parrotlet. Too much of this treat means risk ruining its appetite.

Balanced Parrotlet Diet

Parrotlets are adaptable to new foods, but they can’t handle a diet that’s too reach in something or lacking in something else. This means that your parrotlet needs a well-balanced diet. It would help if you never fed your parrotlet with seeds or pellets exclusively. In The Wild, parrotlets feed on seeds, insects, vegetable blossoms, and many such plant matter. So a varied diet works best for parrotlets’ health. Avoid feeding too much seed as it contains too much fat. Parrotlets are always at risk of developing obesity. Adding to that, pellets alone can’t stimulate your parrotlet digestion enough. Plus, pellets can also cause liver or kidney problems as a sole food. It can even lead your parrotlets to a digestive imbalance in general. So, what should parrotlet eat besides seed? Here is an example: watch the so-called best food for parrotlets.

What	When	How Much
Vegetables	Daily	15%
Fruits	Daily	5%
Pellets	Daily	75%
Legumes & Seed Mix	Daily	5%
Fresh Water	Daily
Treats	Once A Month In Moderation.

What Can Parrotlets Not Eat?

Many human-grade foods should never be given to parrotlets. Apart from this, a few fruits and vegetables must be avoided as they contain toxic elements for birds. Here are a few foods that humans love but should never be offered to parrotlets because of potential toxicity.

Interesting Further Reading

9 Toxic Food For Parrotlet

Fruit Seeds/Pits
Meat
Avocado
Dairy Products
Pasta
Alcohol
Cassava
Chocolate
Bread (No Value)

FAQ

Can Parrotlets Eat Cheese?

Cheese should never be offered to parrotlets as they are extremely lactose intolerant. You may find some birders offering a bit of cheese now and then, but this is not healthy. Parrotlets can’t break down dairy products, so you should avoid even small amounts.

Can Parrotlets Eat Cockatiel Food?

Yes. Most of the cockatiels’ foods suit parrotlets as long as they are also low in fat. Do keep in mind parrotlet can’t handle pellets formulated for larger Birds. Parrotlet can also eat cannery and Finch mixes.

Can Parrotlets Eat Parakeet Food?

Yes. Parrotlets can eat parakeet food, coma cockatiel foods, coma and Finch mixes. All these birds tend to have similar builds very much although being slightly different in size. Adding, they also have the same dietary requirement. So whatever you feed to a parakeet can also be given to your parrotlet.

Can Parrotlets Eat Budgie Seed?

Budgie seed mixes are low in fat and edible for parrotlets also. Parrotlets can eat all types of budgie seeds, and Budgie seeds can also be given to sparrows, finches, and silver bills. All forms of small grain-eating Birds can eat budgies’ seeds.

Editorial Team

Hi, There and Welcome to BirdsNews.com, is here to help you learn and care about pet birds. and this blog is a journal of everything I’ve learned.