Can African Greys Eat Walnuts?

Can African Greys Eat Walnuts?

African Greys are known for their intelligence and beautiful feathers, but did you know they need a healthy diet too? Can African Greys Eat Walnuts? Let us find out!

Yes. African Greys Can Eat Walnuts. They enjoy eating walnuts and many other nuts. As in the wild, they use their beaks to crack open nuts and eat the inside. This is a great way for your parrot to get his daily protein intake as well as a tasty treat!


What Are The Benefits Of Feeding Walnuts To Your African Grey?

Walnuts are very nutritious for African greys. They contain high levels of vitamin E which is beneficial to the heart and other body systems. They also contain a good amount of protein and they are rich in omega 3 fatty acids. These are all things that are beneficial for African Greys to eat on a regular basis.

Other nutritional benefits of walnuts for your bird include;

  • supports the development and health of your birds brain and
  • nervous system
  • reduces the risk of heart disease
  • provides a great amount of antioxidants that combat free-free radicals which can otherwise damage your birds cells and organs.
  • Black walnuts are also very nutritious

How To Feed Walnuts To African Greys

You can choose to purchase shelled walnuts. Or, you can choose to simply purchase the whole nuts with shells on and crack them yourself. Without removing the shell, give your bird a few whole walnuts throughout the day. You should put these treats in a dish that is high enough off of the ground that your African Grey cannot get to it. If your bird cracks walnuts, he will wait until his food dish is empty before eating them.

If your African Grey does not crack open the nuts, then you can give him one or two at a time as a part of his regular food intake. You should also make sure that you are giving your bird foods that have all of the nutrients he needs. This way, you know that any time he is not eating walnuts, he is still getting what he needs to stay healthy and happy.

Most pet owners choose to remove the shell or buy them shelled as they eat them too, but this takes the fun out of it for your parrot. So buy whole walnuts just for him! You could also make a game out of cracking open the walnuts and letting him eat what is inside!

Alternatives To Walnuts You Can Feed To Your Bird

Other nuts African greys enjoy are;

  • Peanuts
  • Almonds
  • Hazelnuts
  • Macadamia Nuts (beware of macadamia nut oil, as it can cause toxicity in birds)
  • Pecans
  • And many more!

Another great treat you can try giving your macaw is a cooked gourmet parrot meal. Parrots love them!

These sample packs are best to learn which ones your bird prefers the most. They are also very nutritious for your bird!

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Can I Feed My Sick African Grey Walnuts?

If your bird is very sick and unable to eat solid food it is probably best not to give it walnuts, instead, give your bird soft foods such as applesauce, prunes, banana, or even scrambled eggs.

You can also use the soft food to hide medication in so that your bird is less likely to suspect anything and refuse to eat it!

Can Baby African Greys Eat Walnuts?

Once your baby African grey is on solid foods it can eat walnuts. As with all birds, be careful not to give it too many or you can end up with a fat bird!

Birds love nuts and other snacks so make sure he stays healthy by giving him only one or two as a treat for good behavior!

Can African Greys Eat Walnut Shells?

The answer is no.

African greys are definitely not evolved to consume walnut shells or anything containing hard minerals like walnut shell fragments as these can obstruct bowel movement.

And while they can consume shelled, unsalted walnuts just fine, feeding them shelled and salted nuts will lead to higher levels of urate in the bird’s urine which is not advisable by many avian vets because of possible gout and kidney stone repercussions.

Can You Feed Your African Grey Too Many Walnuts?

Typically, no. If your bird is eating a balanced diet of fresh fruits and vegetables, seeds, and nuts, this will ensure that your pet bird is getting all the nutrients he needs.

And like any other treat or snack you give to your African Grey, make sure that too many walnuts are not making up a significant part of his diet.

Conclusion

African greys are naturally curious, intelligent and playful. They also love to chew on wood toys! You should always try to offer them a variety of foods which include vegetables, fruits, nuts (in moderation), mealworms or other protein treats in addition to the regular diet they receive from their owners. These species can eat walnuts as long as it is only an occasional treat due to high fat content.

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