Conures are small to medium sized parrots that originate from South America. They are popular pets due to their vibrant colors, playful personalities and moderate size. However, caring for conures requires an understanding of their dietary needs. Like all parrots, conures need a balanced diet to stay healthy and happy.
Can Conures Eat Fruit?
Yes, fruit can be a healthy part of a conure’s diet. In the wild, conures eat fruit from trees and bushes as a main source of food. Fruits provide conures with natural sugars, nutrients and hydration.
Fruits that are safe for conures to eat include:
- Apple
- Banana
- Berries – blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries
- Cantaloupe
- Grapes
- Kiwi
- Mango
- Melons – honeydew, watermelon
- Orange
- Papaya
- Peach
- Pear
- Pineapple
- Plums
Fruit should be washed thoroughly and cut into bird-sized pieces before serving. Only give 1-2 teaspoons of fruit per day as too much sugar can cause obesity and other health issues. Avoid avocado and fruit seeds/pits which can be choking hazards.
Can Conures Eat Vegetables?
Yes, vegetables are a healthy part of a balanced diet for conures. Vegetables provide conures with vitamins, minerals, fiber and phytonutrients. Some good vegetable options include:
- Broccoli
- Carrots
- Corn
- Green beans
- Kale
- Peas
- Peppers – bell, chili
- Sweet potato
- Squash
- Zucchini
Vegetables should be chopped into pieces no larger than the size of your conure’s beak. Offer 1-2 teaspoons per day. Avoid starchy vegetables like potatoes, which can lead to excess weight gain.
Can Conures Eat Grains and Legumes?
Grains and legumes can be given to conures but should make up only a small part of their diet. Good options include:
- Cooked beans
- Brown rice
- Quinoa
- Whole grain pasta
- Whole grain bread
- Whole oats
Look for unsalted, unseasoned varieties and limit to 1-2 teaspoons a few times per week. Avoid processed grains like white bread, crackers and other snacks, which are high in fat and salt.
Can Conures Eat Seeds and Nuts?
Yes, most conures enjoy eating seeds and nuts in moderation. Good options are:
- Chia seeds
- Flax seeds
- Hemp seeds
- Pumpkin seeds
- Sunflower seeds
- Almonds
- Cashews
- Hazelnuts
- Peanuts
- Pecans
- Pistachios
- Walnuts
Nuts and seeds provide protein, fat and fiber. However, they are high in fat so should only make up 10% of the diet. Offer in moderation and avoid salted varieties.
Can Conures Eat Dairy?
Dairy products like cheese, yogurt and milk are not recommended for conures. Parrots are lactose intolerant and lack the enzyme needed to properly digest dairy. Feeding dairy may cause diarrhea, digestive upset and malnutrition.
Can Conures Eat Meat?
Conures are omnivores and can eat small amounts of cooked meat on occasion. Good meat options include:
- Chicken
- Turkey
- Lean beef
- Fish
Meats can provide protein, fat and minerals. However, offer meat only once or twice a week in small amounts. Avoid processed meats high in preservatives like bacon, sausage and deli meats.
Can Conures Eat Insects?
Yes, conures can eat certain insect varieties like mealworms, crickets and grasshoppers to mimic their natural diet. Insects provide protein, fat and nutrients. Offer dried or cooked insects in moderation a few times per week.
Can Conures Eat Pellets?
High-quality pellets formulated specifically for parrots can be fed to conures. Look for pellets that contain fruits, vegetables, grains, vitamins and minerals. Avoid mixes with dried fruits, nuts or colored pieces. Pellets help provide balanced nutrition. Offer 2-3 tablespoons daily replacing around 30% of seed intake.
Can Conures Eat Sprouted Seeds?
Sprouted or germinated seeds are a very healthy supplement for conures. The sprouting process increases vitamins, enzymes and protein. Good sprouted seeds for conures include wheat, oats, lentils, chickpeas, quinoa, buckwheat and mung beans. Offer 1-2 teaspoons a few times per week.
Can Conures Eat Egg?
Scrambled or hard boiled egg can be fed to conures in moderation. Egg provides protein and fat. However, don’t feed raw egg whites, which can lead to biotin deficiency. Offer just a few small pieces of cooked egg a week.
Can Conures Eat Greens?
Leafy greens are an excellent addition to a conure’s diet. Good options are:
- Kale
- Spinach
- Chard
- Collard greens
- Mustard greens
- Dandelion greens
- Bok choy
Greens provide vitamins A, K, C, calcium and antioxidants. Offer a few leaves or pieces 3 times per week.
Foods Conures Should Not Eat
While conures can eat a wide variety of foods, there are some foods that should be avoided or limited in their diet:
- Chocolate – contains toxic theobromine
- Caffeine – can be toxic
- Alcohol – highly toxic to birds
- Avocado – contains persin, can be toxic
- Onions/garlic – can cause anemia
- Salt – can cause kidney/heart issues
- Sugar – can lead to obesity, diabetes
- Junk food – high in fat, salt and preservatives
- Raw beans/peas – contain lectin, can be toxic
Avoid feeding conures any people food or treats. Stick to a balanced diet of vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts/seeds and protein.
Sample Conure Diet
Here is a sample menu that shows what a balanced daily diet for a conure might look like:
Time | Food |
---|---|
Morning | 2-3 tablespoons parrot pellets |
Mid-morning | 1 slice of apple |
Midday | Florets of broccoli and carrots |
Afternoon | Leaf of kale and spinach |
Dinnertime | 2 tablespoons chopped mixed vegetables |
Evening | 1-2 nuts or seeds |
Treats like a few pieces of egg or fruit can be given 2-3 times per week. Always remove any uneaten food within 1-2 hours.
Key Tips for Feeding Conures
Here are some key tips to keep in mind when feeding pet conures:
- Provide a balanced diet with plenty of variety
- Chop food into bite-sized pieces
- Remove any uneaten food within 1-2 hours
- Give a calcium supplement 2-3 times a week
- Offer filtered, chlorine-free water always
- Wash fruits/veggies thoroughly before serving
- Avoid food and water bowls made of lead, zinc or galvanized metal
- Never feed chocolate, caffeine, alcohol or raw beans/peas
- Limit foods high in sugar, fat and salt
- Consult an avian vet if any concerns about diet
Monitoring a Conure’s Diet
It’s important to monitor a conure’s diet closely and watch for any changes in eating habits or behavior. Signs of a problem can include:
- Loss of appetite
- Underweight or overweight
- Excessive drinking or urinating
- Disinterest in favorite foods
- Increased aggressive or territorial behavior
- Feather plucking
- Change in droppings
- Beak or feet problems
Schedule annual check-ups with an avian vet to monitor your conure’s health and nutrition. They can identify any vitamin deficiencies and tailor diet recommendations to your bird’s needs.
Common Conure Health Issues Related to Diet
Some common conure health issues that can arise from nutritional deficiencies or an imbalanced diet include:
- Obesity – excess fat deposits caused by overfeeding and lack of exercise
- Atherosclerosis – hardening of arteries due to high cholesterol diet
- Fatty liver disease – excess fat accumulation in liver
- Diabetes – inability to regulate blood sugar due to high sugar diet
- Hypocalcemic tetany – muscle spasms due to calcium deficiency
- Metabolic bone disease – bone weakness caused by calcium, vitamin D deficiency
- Anemia – low iron levels
- Nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism – enlarged parathyroid gland due to calcium deficiency
Feeding an improper diet high in fat and calories and low in nutrients increases the risk of many dangerous health problems in conures. An avian vet can run tests and advise you on your conure’s unique nutritional requirements.
Conclusion
Conures are intelligent, affectionate parrots that require balanced nutrition to remain healthy. Offer a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, seeds and lean proteins. Avoid junk food, salt, sugar and toxic foods. Monitor your conure’s diet closely and watch for any changes in appetite, weight or droppings. Schedule annual vet exams to stay ahead of potential nutritional issues. Following these feeding guidelines will help ensure your conure lives a long, active life.