Senegal Parrot Diet (Everything You Need to Know)

Last Updated on February 28, 2023 by Ali Shahid

Each Senegal pet owner strives to provide his or her pet with a high standard of living. In terms of housing, health, or care, they want the best. Additionally, the Senegal parrot diet is an important aspect of good health.

As the owner of a Senegal parrot, you may be wondering what your bird should eat. Nothing to worry about, we’ve got you covered.

A Senegal parrot eats a variety of seeds, grains, fruits, and leaves. A special favorite of theirs is figs and seeds from several local trees. Furthermore, they are known for raiding crops left outside to dry, such as millet, maize, and harvested peanuts. However, it is part of their natural diet. It cannot be replicated in captivity. What should you feed a Senegal parrot in captivity? According to my experience as a vet, you can feed them pellet mix, fruit, and vegetables.

Here, we will discuss the diet and feeding schedule of Senegal parrots in the wild and in captivity. Additionally, we will discuss foods that are very toxic to Senegal parrots. So continue reading.

Senegal Parrot Diet in the Wild

As part of their natural diet, Senegal parrots consume several seeds (including sprouted ones) as well as many different fruits, plants, greens, blossoms, grains, nuts, and insects. Food availability drives their movements within their natural range.

Often, they feed on crops in some areas, making them considered pests by local farmers. It’s especially popular among Senegal Parrots to eat locust beans and new tree buds.

The local farmers also consider them a pest because they raid maize and millet fields, and steal peanuts that are drying out in the sun. Poicephalus parrots’ natural diet will inevitably vary with the seasons, and many things remain to be learned about their natural diet.

Senegal parrot diet in captivity

A balanced diet is essential for the health of Senegal parrots. To ensure the health and longevity of your Senegal parrot, here is what it should be fed.

• Seeds

Wild Senegal parrots consume a wide variety of seeds during different seasons of the year. Seed and nut mixes available in the market may contain two to five different types of seeds.

However, they have a high-fat content and are not the same seeds as wild birds. Commonly, seeds and nuts are fed alone, causing illness and possibly shorter lives. In a mixture of seeds and nuts, Senegal parrots prefer one or two types over the rest.

The most popular seeds are peanuts and sunflower seeds. However, they are especially high in fat and deficient in calcium and vitamin A. Often, it results in malnutrition. As part of a balanced diet, seeds should not constitute the majority of the food.

Additionally, as nuts contain high-fat content, they can raise blood cholesterol levels and form cholesterol deposits in the arteries (called atherosclerosis) that can cause strokes and heart attacks in birds. Providing more nutritionally balanced food will gradually replace seeds for your bird.

• Pelleted Diets

A wide variety of commercially formulated pelleted diets exist to meet the nutritional requirements of birds of all sizes and colors. In general, pellets are the best diet for parrots. You should slowly wean seed-eating birds off seeds and onto pellets.

Senegal parrots should consume at least 70% pellets. The transition from seed to a pellet diet can be hard for mature parrots. A hand-raised baby is usually the easiest to transition to pellets. 

• Fruits and Vegetables 

An average of 20% of the daily diet should be composed of fruits, vegetables, and greens. Pale vegetables (iceberg lettuce, celery, etc.) with high water content offer little nutritional value. 

Cleaning fruits and vegetables are necessary to remove chemicals. Cut them into very small pieces according to your bird’s size. There is no need to remove the skin. Vegetables and fruits should be served separately.

A bird that develops a particular preference for one food item should be provided with less of that food or temporarily stopped from eating it to encourage it to consume other foods.

• Water 

There must always be access to fresh, clean water. If your tap water is of poor quality, you might consider purchasing bottled water. Soap and water should be used to thoroughly clean food and water dishes every day. 

Feeding Schedule for Senegal Parrots

• 2 Tablespoons Pellets

Every day, give your parrot one to two tablespoons of pellets. The Senegal parrot will get all the pellets it requires for the day with a heaping tablespoon or two. This pellet can be offered in the morning and your parrot may nibble at it throughout the day.

The percentage of pellets in your parrot’s diet should be 80 percent. In the case of more than one parrot, make sure that each bird receives a sufficient supply of pelleted food.

• 2 Tablespoons of Fruits and Vegetables

Provide your parrot with 1-2 heaping tablespoons of fruit and vegetables each day. The Senegal parrot also requires fresh produce in addition to pellets. The percentage of fruit and vegetables in your parrot’s diet should be at least 20 percent.

Providing a variety of fruits and veggies is a good idea. Adding vitamins and minerals to your parrot’s diet with fresh produce will enhance his or her dining experience.

• Supplement if needed 

There’s no need to add grit, gravel, or dietary supplements to your bird’s food. However, if your veterinarian feels your bird needs such supplements, they will recommend one and let you know how often to give it to him.

In addition, your veterinarian will instruct you on how much of the supplement you should administer to your pet bird. Generally, supplements come in powder form and are sprinkled onto fruits and vegetables.

However, you should carefully read the instructions on the supplement and consult your physician if you have any questions.

Things you should not feed Senegal Parrots

• Caffeinated beverages

Caffeinated beverages should not be provided to your parrot. Consumption of caffeine can increase the heart rate of your Senegal parrot, which may result in hyperventilation. Consequently, hyperventilation could result in seizures and death for your bird.

• Alcohol

Alcohol isn’t good for your bird. Even a little bit of alcohol can cause alcohol poisoning in Senegal parrots. If you don’t want your bird to suffer this unhappy fate, don’t give them alcohol or let them play or fly in alcohol-filled spaces.

• Chocolate

Make sure your bird doesn’t eat chocolate. The chemical compounds in chocolate can make your Senegal parrot sick, make them depressed, damage their liver, and cause seizures. Keep chocolate away from your parrot to keep it healthy.

• Avocados

It is not a good idea to feed your bird avocados. Avocados contain oil that leaches toxins into the flesh. Ensure that your Senegal parrot does not come in contact with avocados or guacamole.

• Shellfish

Shellfish are bad for Senegal parrots. Senegal parrots can be poisoned by shellfish. Parrots shouldn’t be fed shellfish like shrimp, lobster, crab, or crayfish.