10 Tasty and Healthy Treats That Birds Love
You love to treat your bird to a special snack now and then. But what are the healthiest snacks you can give your feathered friend?
Below, we’ve compiled a list of ten of our favourite bird treats. All of these snacks are nutritious and delicious, and best of all, healthy treats that birds love!
What Are Healthy Treats That Birds Love?
You might be surprised to know that birds love many different types of healthy treats. Our feathered friends also enjoy many of the foods we eat every day.
Some of the most popular healthy treats for birds include:
- Fresh fruit: blueberries, strawberries, apples, bananas, watermelon, grapes
- Vegetables: carrots, broccoli, sweet potatoes
- Nuts: almonds, cashews, peanuts
- Seeds: sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds
- Cereal: raisins, oats, Cheerios
When providing healthy treats for your birds, variety is key. Be sure to rotate through different fruits and vegetables to keep them interested and well-nourished. And remember the nuts and seeds! These provide important nutrients and can be a fun snack for your birds.
Mealworms: A High Protein Snack
Your local pet store likely sells mealworms as a high-protein bird snack. And for a good reason: these little critters are cram-packed with nutrients. A single serving of mealworms contains more protein than an equivalent serving of beef or poultry.
What’s more, mealworms are a good source of essential fatty acids, magnesium, potassium, and vitamins B1 and B6. They also contain important antioxidants that can help protect your bird’s cells from damage.
Give Sprouted Seeds a Try
Some of the best and healthiest bird treats you can offer are sprouted seeds.
You can either purchase them at a pet store or grow them yourself. Sprouted seeds are high in protein, vitamins, and minerals and are a great way to help your bird stay healthy and strong.
Most birds love seeds, but sprouted seeds are a real treat. They’re crunchy, flavorful, and nutritious, so give them occasionally as a treat. Your birds will appreciate it!
Spice Up Your Life With Herbs
Love to feed your birds but need to know what treats will appeal to them? You can spice things up by adding fresh herbs to your bird’s treats. Many herbs contain antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that can help boost your bird’s health.
Herbs like dill and parsley contain high levels of vitamins A and C, potassium, and magnesium. Basil is a rich source of vitamin K and carotenoids. Oregano contains compounds that may provide anti-inflammatory benefits, while cilantro has antioxidant properties and is known to help rid the body of toxins.
Opt for fresh herbs whenever possible; dried herbs contain different nutrients than fresh ones, meaning your birds will only reap some of the same health benefits. Sprinkling fresh herbs on top of their favourite fruits or vegetables can be a fun way to give them an extra special treat.
Mix It Up With Nuts
Mixing it up with a few nuts can be a great way to change your birds’ diet while adding more nutritional value. Certain nuts are high in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and other essential vitamins and minerals. They can be eaten in various ways: raw, roasted, or ground into a powder to sprinkle over their food.
Some nuts are considered safe for birds to eat, like almonds, walnuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, and peanuts (as long as you get organic peanuts without salt or additives). Remember that these should be offered sparingly as treats or as part of nut mixes since too many can lead to obesity and other health issues. And if you need clarification on any particular nut or seed, then it’s best to avoid it altogether! And always offer each type of nut separately so that you can monitor how much your bird eats of each.
Find Balance With Fruit and Veggies
With all the treats and snacks, it’s important still to find a balance with your bird’s diet. Like us, it’s all about getting the right mix of proteins, carbs, and vitamins. Adding some fruit and vegetables is one way to help achieve that balance.
Fruits such as apples, oranges, blueberries, and raspberries are tasty treats that birds love and provide essential vitamins and fibre. For vegetables, carrots, kale, sprouts, and spinach are great additions as they have vitamins and minerals that birds need to stay healthy.
By no means do you need to stick to only fruits and veggies when feeding your feathered friend—remember to provide them with a variety of treats so that they can get the most nutrition possible!
Take a Bite Out of Berries and Grapes
Berries and grapes are sweet treats that birds love. They are high in vitamins and minerals, as well as tasty. They are high in vitamins and minerals, as well as tasty. Both kinds of fruit are high in antioxidants and fibre, which can help boost the immune system of your feathered friends.
Berries also contain iron, calcium, and potassium, which help with energy production and muscle strength. Grapes have a good amount of vitamin B6 and C, which helps keep the bird’s digestive system healthy and support its cardiovascular health.
Provide your winged buddies with some fresh berries or grapes — or better yet, let them snack on their own! Hang the fruit in cages or place it on a tray near the bird feeders so they can peck away at their own pace!
Let Them Enjoy Some Whole Grains
Now, let’s talk about whole grains. Is there a grain your feathered friends love to eat? If so, here’s a list: oats, barley, quinoa, amaranth, millet, and buckwheat.
These delicious, whole grains offer a range of nutrients and minerals like iron, zinc, and magnesium, which are necessary for our feathered friends’ health. They’re also great sources of dietary fibre to help keep them feeling full and satisfied.
You can purchase these grains in bulk (or in small quantities if you prefer), but you can also include them as part of your bird’s diet by whipping up some delicious treats like birdie burritos or muffins. Combine the grains with your favourite fresh fruits and veggies for an easy-to-prepare dish full of goodness!
Get Creative With Eggshells
Eggshells can also be an interesting and nutritious snack for birds. But why? These hard shells are packed with essential nutrients like calcium, magnesium, and phosphates that are critical for a bird’s health and growth.
To make them a tasty treat, you can mash up boiled eggshells and mix them with other ingredients like oats, sugar-free peanut butter, or honey. You can also add some berries or other fruits for some added sweetness. Your bird won’t be able to resist this nutritious snack!
But remember the shells too! If you have larger eggshells, then you can use them to make creative bird feeders or even creative birdhouses. With a few tools and some walking sticks, you can easily make something fun and functional for your feathered friends!
Make Their Taste Buds Dance With Spices
You can also add a bit of spice to your bird’s treats to make them stand out. Spices like turmeric and chilli powder can help improve your bird’s immune system, while ginger and cinnamon are known to reduce inflammation. Other spices like oregano, thyme, and paprika also benefit your feathered friends.
Remember that you don’t want to go too heavy on the spices—start with small amounts, so you don’t overwhelm their taste buds. You can always add more later if required, but it isn’t easy to take away too much once it’s added.
And if you’re not sure about a particular spice, do some research beforehand about its safety — some spices may not be suitable for certain types of birds. Or better yet, ask your vet or an experienced bird owner before adding any spices to be sure!
Conclusion
Hence, if you’re looking for a way to add some love to your feathered friends some love, why not try out some delicious and healthy treats? Not only will your birds appreciate it, but you’ll also be doing them a big favour by giving them some of the best food.
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