Last Updated on October 31, 2022
If you own parrots, it’s a big responsibility to feed them properly. Most parrots are omnivores, but a few species of them are insectivores. Insectivores usually feed on insects in the wild, but a few omnivores also feed on insects in the wild. So the question is, do parrots eat worms? Are they safe and healthy for them? When and how many worms do they feed?
Yes, parrots feed on worms in the wild. Worms contain a high amount of proteins and fats, which help them breed and keep their feathers shiny and bright. Worms are easily available in the wild. They are healthy for the parrots as they fulfill their nutritional demands. Parrots eat worms as dietary supplements as they provide them with proteins.
Parrots in captivity mostly feed on a mix-up of seeds and do not eat worms due to their non-availability. Worms are enriched with proteins which are essential for the parrot’s health and active lifestyle. You can offer worms to parrots in captivity.
So, In this article, we will discuss important and related information about worms that parrots can eat.
Why Do Parrots Eat Worms?
They can eat worms because they are not nasty or harmful to parrots. They are a good source of nutrients that help birds to grow as a whole. Most of the time, the mother parrots feed their babies on worms and insects in the wild to grow them efficiently. Parrots mostly feed on garden insects in the wild.
Parrots in the wild usually love to eat worms, as they are enriched with proteins, healthy fats, and other essential nutrients, and parrots need protein for flight and an active daily routine. The protein in the worms is healthy for parrots.
Pet parrots mostly have healthy dietary routines than parrots in the wild. So, in captivity, parrots have different options to overcome protein deficiency; hence, most parrot owners offer worms for better development.
We discussed that parrots could eat worms. Now, we will discuss whether baby parrots eat worms. What are their effects on baby parrots? Let us discuss it!
Do baby parrots eat worms?
Baby parrots eat worms. Their parents feed them during their growth and development in the wild. The worms provide a good source of proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals to baby parrots which help them grow better.
Types Of The Worms Parrots Eat:
Parrots can eat almost every kind of worm. Parrots usually love to eat worms and insects. They can eat any worms they catch. Earthworms, hookworms, mealworms, slugs, roaches, termites, crickets, green flies, small flying insects, and maggots larvae are common that parrots eat. They eat both dead and alive worms. Pet parrots are served with feeding worms that are easily available in many pet stores, or you can order them online.
Mealworms:
Parrots such as bluebirds and macaws are fond of eating mealworms. Mealworms are species of darkling beetle enriched with proteins, so parrots eat such insects to get the protein, which helps parrots develop muscles.
Dried Mealworms:
Parrots are fond of dried mealworms. They can eat more than hundreds of dried mealworms if they catch them.
Dried mealworms are a good treat for your parrots. If you want to feed your pet parrot dried mealworms, you can buy them from a pet food store or order online.
Earthworms:
Not all parrots eat worms, but a variety of small parrots in the wild enjoy eating earthworms. Earthworms are enriched with nutrients and are a good meal for parrots in the wild.
How To Serve Worms To The Parrots?
You can serve worms as a whole meal occasionally. Moreover, you can feed them along with other diets like seeds, vegetables, fruits, etc. Always prefer dried mealworms for your parrots as they are specially cultivated for pet birds. Always note how many worms you give to your parrots, and always serve an appropriate amount of protein.
You can add mealworms to your parrot’s food pots and serve them directly. Ensure your parrot’s food pot is cleaned or dry while serving worms to them.
You can also serve worms as treats to your parrot and add a small number of worms into the parrot’s diet. Your parrots can eat mealworms twice or four times a week. It will be an appropriate diet for your pet parrots.
Nutritional Values Of Worms:
Worms such as mealworms or other worms are enriched with nutrients, as mentioned earlier. Compared to alive mealworms, dried mealworms are less nutritious.
However, feeding live worms to pet parrots can be harmful because worms may have eaten some toxic chemicals in the wild. Dried and canned worms are suitable for the parrot’s diet, as they are not contaminated with harmful chemicals.
The nutritional values of worms include protein, vitamins, fiber, and fat content. Worms, such as mealworms, also have some magnesium content so that you can feed them to your parrots. Magnesium is good for cellular metabolisms and helps bone formation.
Worms should not be consumed in large quantities, or if you serve them to your pet parrot, always feed them in moderation.
Why Are Dried Mealworms Better For Your Parrots?
If it is about pet parrots, you must serve dried mealworms for different reasons. Such as:
Healthy Treats:
Dried mealworms or worms are nutritious treats for your parrots. They are enriched with all the essential nutrients your parrot needs, and your parrots can love to eat dried mealworms.
Thus it is a perfect combination of healthy treats for your parrots.
Convenience:
They are more convenient as they are in packed form and are ready to serve. You can easily carry them while traveling or out of your home. It is more convenient to serve as they do not need maintenance and are ready to feed anytime or anywhere.
Non-toxic:
Dried worms are safer than alive ones. They are less toxic because mealworms are specially cultivated for pet birds to meet their nutritional demands. You can buy dried mealworms from a pet food store and online.
When Are Worms Harmful For Parrots?
Thus, feeding worms to parrots has many benefits and a few side effects. Worms are indeed enriched with proteins and other nutrients. If you serve your parrots anything in excess, it can harm them. So, offer worms to your birds in moderation to avoid any harmful effects.
Do not feed them forcefully if they do not want to eat them. If your parrots are fond of worms, add a moderate quantity to their diet plan.
Conclusion:
Parrots can eat worms because they feed on worms and flying insects in the wild to meet their nutritional demands. You can serve dried worms which are safer and more convenient food for your parrots than living worms. Thus, we have discussed all the important and related information about parrots. After reading this article, I am confident you can safely serve your parrots with different worms in moderation for their better growth and development. You can ask us in the comments section if you have any questions.