Last Updated on November 11, 2022
Parrots are mostly omnivores. So, the omnivore parrot’s feed choice is somehow different from those in the wild and captivity. In today’s article, I will discuss Do Parrots Eat Other Birds? Are they healthy for parrots? Further important and related information about whether parrots can eat other birds.
Parrots do not eat other birds, even in the wild, as they are not predators. However, parrots in captivity can feed on other cooked birds and meat, but you can serve them meat such as chicken, beef, and turkey, depending on the parrots’ choice. Besides this, wild parrots like Kea eat other birds like shearwater chicks and mammals.
So we will discuss in detail information related to the question; you have to read this article thoroughly until the end to know different things such as Are birds healthy for parrots? Do all parrots eat other birds? Now, without wasting a moment, let’s start the topic.
Why Do Parrots Eat Other Birds?
Usually, parrots don’t hunt or prey on birds to eat them, but if talking about meat, parrots eat the flesh of birds, such as chicken, turkey, and fish. They love to eat it sometimes in captivity.
According to research, there is just one exception the kea parrot (Nestor notabilis), also known as the world’s only alpine parrot, actively hunts the chicks of other bird species. These parrots usually eat carrion parrots and their babies.
Are They Healthy For Parrots?
Parrots cannot eat birds, but in captivity, they feed on chicken, turkey, beef, and fish. The parrots love to eat meat as it provides them with proteins.
It is also great for strong bones, boosts the energy level of parrots, and provides various nutrients that parrots need to fulfill their daily activities. However, eating other birds can have some adverse effects, as shown below.
Do All Parrots Eat Other Birds?
There are some exceptional cases in which parrots prefer to eat other birds. But as I mentioned earlier, it only happens in the wild because parrots in captivity always eat the food you serve them. They may not hit other birds for feeding because they have a proper diet schedule in captivity.
The Kea parrot is the only exception, which can feed on shearwater bird chicks and sometimes also feed on small mammals like rodents in the wild.
Do Domestic Parrots Eat Other Birds?
Domestic parrots may not eat other birds on their own. If you serve them raw meat or any other bird, such as chicks, they can eat them. Most pet owners feed raw meat, such as chicken, to their parrots and mostly like to serve roasted chicks. So, domestic parrots can eat raw chicks occasionally.
What Kind Of Birds Do Parrots Eat?
Parrots in the wild used to eat other birds to fulfill their hunger and nutritional requirements. They usually eat other birds if they do not get any other food. They like to eat the following birds:
- Small Birds:
Normally, big parrots always prey on small parrots so that they can easily kill them or eat them. So the big wild parrots with omnivores behavior, like Macaws, Cockatoos, and other parrots, used to prey on small birds such as hummingbirds, crows, doves, chicks, and others, and they also like to eat hatchlings (newborn birds).
- Dead Birds:
Dead, small birds are the best meat treats for big parrots in the wild, so if any parrots get a dead bird due to illness or infection, they eat them. Unlike most other birds, parrots do not eat the bones in their body, they eat only the bone marrow.
- Fledgling:
If any little parrot gets ill, the mother parrot usually kills those fledglings and eats them to fulfill their nutritional requirements. Most parrots in the wild used to eat their fledglings, especially big parrots. In rare cases, some parrots eat fledgling parrots if they find one.
- Carrion Bird:
Many wild birds usually eat the carrion bird, and when it comes to parrots, Kea parrots prey on carrion birds for feeding. They are small-sized birds, so big parrots can easily eat them to fulfill their nutritional values.
Side Effects Of Eating Birds:
After getting complete knowledge about the case of parrots eating other birds, you might think about the side effects of eating other birds. So, here I will share some of the main issues that parrots usually suffer after eating other birds:
- Illness Or infection:
Suppose parrots eat any birds that are affected by any illness or infection. So after eating infected birds, parrots may also receive negative effects, such as allergic reactions, inappropriate drooping, constipation, stomachache, etc.
- Allergic Reactions:
It might be okay to eat other birds after long intervals, but if parrots get used to eating other birds alternatively. They may get some allergic reactions, such as nausea, stomach ache, constipation, skin itching, irritation, difficulty breathing, and other issues.
Conclusion:
Parrots cannot eat other birds, except for kea parrots which feed on small birds. I have shared almost all the basic things about this topic, such as the kinds of birds that parrots eat, nutritional facts, side effects, etc. I hope this article will be helpful for you. You can ask in the comment section if you want to ask any other questions related to the topic.