Can Budgies Eat Oranges? ( Revealed!)

Last Updated on September 13, 2022 by Ali Shahid

There are a lot of people who wonder whether oranges are safe for budgies. Even though I wondered the same thing, it was hard to find an answer. Therefore I decided to write this post – to finally answer the question: can budgies eat oranges?

The good news is that budgies can eat oranges. Budgies can eat these citrus fruits in moderation and they’re completely safe. Wild budgies eat oranges, so this fruit is healthy for them. It’s OK for Budgies to eat the peel, flesh, and seeds of oranges.

The orange is a good source of fiber, antioxidants, vitamin A, and vitamin C. It boosts the immune system of budgies and other small birds. The vitamin C content of orange juice is high, but store-bought fruit juice is high in sugar, artificial colors, and preservatives.

Budgies should only be given fresh orange juice. Here’s everything you need to know about safely feeding this delicious fruit to your pet budgies.

Nutritional Facts of Oranges

Based on nutrition data, oranges contain the following macronutrients per 100 grams:

• 47 calories
• 87% water
• 0.1 grams of fat
• 9.4 grams of sugar
• 2.4 grams of fiber
• 11.8 grams of carbs
• 9 grams of protein

Health Benefits of Oranges for Budgies

The nutritional content of oranges includes:

Vitamin C

Budgies need vitamin C to be healthy and happy. Oranges are full of vitamin C, a vital vitamin for your pet bird, so adding oranges to its diet will:

• Prevent the formation of bad cells
• Maintain a healthy cholesterol level
• Boost the immune system
• Maintain a healthy bone and muscle development
• Assist the body in absorbing iron
• Maintain a healthy blood sugar level

Additionally, vitamin C can help injured or wounded budgies heal faster by fighting infections and viruses.

Vitamin A

The carotenoids in carrots, oranges, tomatoes, and lemons provide a yellow or reddish hue. Several compounds can be produced from carotenoids, including vitamin A. Since budgies can get vitamin A deficiency, they need lots of vitamin A-rich food.

Fiber

Fiber promotes gut health as it forces the digestive system to work harder. As a result, the gut is flushed out, keeping it healthy and regular. Additionally, fiber softens budgie stools, making waste passing easier.

According to Nutrition Research, fiber from citrus fruits lowers blood cholesterol, resulting in a healthier budgie.

Antioxidants

The antioxidant properties of oranges are derived from plant-based compounds. The presence of antioxidants can reduce the risk of age-related diseases such as:

• Cancer
• Inflammatory diseases
• Metabolic diseases

Oranges contain two types of antioxidants. One type is flavonoids, such as anthocyanins and hesperidin. The antioxidant hesperidin lowers blood pressure, while anthocyanins boost the immune system, improve vision, and increase mental agility in budgies.

In addition to their antioxidant properties, flavonoids have the following benefits as well:

• Enhanced blood flow
• Prevention of heart disease
• Regulation of blood pressure

Citric Acid

Because oranges contain citric acid, they have a sour taste. It’s great for your budgie’s health because it helps with the following:

• Prevention of kidney stones
• Calcium processing
• Digestion Skin
• Feather color and strength

How to Serve Oranges to Budgies

It is a good idea to choose certain days each week when your budgie can enjoy oranges as part of their diet. In this way, they won’t get too much food. Let’s see how you can get your feathered friend to eat some delicious oranges.

Peel the Orange

Some budgies may eat the peel if given some, but it may contain pesticides. It might be toxic for your little bird. For extra safety, peel the orange first, and make sure you buy organic oranges.

Chop up the Orange

It is best to chop up your orange into small pieces before putting it in your budgie’s cage. It is the easiest way to observe what your budgie consumes.

To keep track of how much your budgie eats, you can select the number of pieces to provide each week. By reducing fructose, you’re helping to keep your budgie healthy.

Introduce Oranges to Your Budgie

The reaction of budgies to new items in their cage can vary. Many will be curious about oranges and may seek to understand them, while others will be cautious. Therefore introducing oranges gradually is so important.

You can always try hand feeding your budgie if he or she seems uncomfortable at first. Initially, your budgie might not like the orange pieces. It will take them some time to gain the courage and try it!

Remove at Night

When it is time to go to bed, you should remove all oranges from your bird’s cage. A fruit exposed to the open air for too long is likely to develop bacteria on it.

Budgies may get sick if they eat oranges contaminated with this bacterium. Take the dish or orange pieces out of the cage. The fresh pieces can be served the other day.

What is the recommended amount of oranges for your budgie?

A segment of orange per week is the right amount of orange to feed your budgie. Nonetheless, you shouldn’t give it to your bird every day since it is a treat.

For such a small bird, even the tiniest oranges are still full of sugar, and they need a variety of foods to stay healthy. If your budgie has never eaten an orange before, introduce it gradually over time and quite slowly.

Make sure you peel the orange and cut it up. Before removing the peel, make sure the orange is not rotten or moldy.

Can Budgies Eat Orange Peels?

It is safe to feed orange peels to budgies. Some budgies prefer the peel over the flesh and seeds, even though the peel is unpleasant for humans. The food is not only nutritionally healthy but also mentally stimulating.

The skin contains the most vitamin C, so budgies benefit from eating it. During farming, the peel is exposed to pesticides, therefore it should be thoroughly washed.

Can Budgies Eat Orange Seeds?

Budgies can safely eat orange seeds. Occasionally, your budgie may eat seeds along with orange segments because it is difficult for him to remove seeds from stringy meat.

Conclusion

Following our guidelines will allow you to give your budgie an orange safely. If you want to keep your budgie around for a long time, feed him pellets made for budgies with a small portion of fruit and vegetables.