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Nuts are very palatable for most parrots. However, they have high levels of fat and should therefore be offered as treats only, rather than as part of the basic diet. Some parrots, such as the Macaws, thrive on high-fat nuts and seeds, and will take great pleasure from extricating monkey nuts from their soft shells. Other species can pile on the fat, though, and may even develop liver problems if there are too many nuts in their diet.
Like many species, African Grey parrots love nuts
The nuts offered to parrots should be unsalted and fit for human consumption. Variety is good, and you will soon spot which ones your birds go mad for. Large parrots will enjoy cracking the nuts (although you will need to partially crack monsters such as Brazil nuts). Avoid fresh walnuts, cashews and macademias, though, as the shells contain toxins when super-fresh. Smaller species will need shelled nuts (with the exception of monkey nuts – and, yes, we know – peanuts aren’t ‘nuts’ as such!)
The following are suitable for most parrots:
- Almonds
- Cashews
- Coconut shreds
- Hazelnuts (filberts)
- Macadamia nuts
- Peanuts (monkey nuts)
- Pecans
- Pine nuts
- Pistachios
- Walnuts
Comments
Bernard, 20 September 2023
Peanuts? I thought peanuts have a bacteria that a lot of parrots can't handle and shouldn't have?
Kathleen, 27 February 2020
I read macadamia nuts were not good for parrots?
Maureen, 19 February 2019
are baru nuts safe for parrots
Karin, 21 May 2018
Thank you for the info on nut shells! I've only ever seen walnuts in shells.