Lovebird Diet and Nutrition

Lovebird Diet:

The importance of diet and nutrition cannot be overstated. A balanced, quality diet prevents health problems such as feather problems or even life-threatening diseases. Key rule of thumb is to not switch diets rapidly. Any adjustments should be made over a period of time by mixing the old and new food at an increasing ratio. Lovebird diets are also extremely diverse, so there is no perfect formula of what to feed them – it’s up to you!

Food:

0-2 months: Hand-fed with premium quality baby formula. Weaned off on millets and fine lovebird/cockatiel seeds (see pictures below). Well-formulated pellets are also great for baby birds but new foods need to be introduced slowly to ensure the baby bird maintains adequate nutritional intake.
2-5 months old: Transition to a diverse diet of seeds, pellets, fruits and vegetables.
5 months and beyond: Continue balanced diet. For female birds who mature and begin to lay eggs, calcium supplements with sources of calcium such as cuttlebones will be necessary.

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Acceptable fruits and vegetables:

Apple, pear, banana, strawberry, raspberry, pitted cherries, seedless grapes, tangerine.

Spinach, lettuce, bok-choy, fresh corn, carrot tops, broccoli, sweet potatoes, dandelion greens (the ones sold in supermarkets), chickweed, watercress, asparagus, broccoli, carrots, etc.

*Important* Produce should be fresh. Wash well to prevent ingestion of chemicals. Do not leave vegetables overnight for the birds to eat the following day!

Other acceptable foods: 

Nuts: Shelled and un-shelled peanuts, walnuts, chestnuts.

Vitamin-rich foods: sunflower seeds, oats, milo, eggs, cabbage, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, and peanuts.

Mineral-rich foods: pumpkin seeds, bananas, carrots, nuts, and peanuts.

Vitamins and minerals are only needed in small quantities, so you can use commercial multivitamin-mineral supplements as well.

Cuttlefish bones and oyster shells are great sources of calcium and should be given to your birds especially if they begin to lay eggs.

Not Acceptable/Dangerous foods:

Alcohol, avocado, candy and other sugary snack, mushrooms, onions, chocolate, rhubarb, salty foods (french fries, potato chips), seeds or pits from fruits (including apples, cherries, pears. peaches, plums), spoiled produce.

Please note that as this is not a comprehensive list, use your discretion and do research before feeding your bird anything new.