What do African Grey Parrots eat

Here at The African Grey Parrot Home, I, John, have spent many years as a dedicated breeder and have learned that the key to a long, happy life for these brilliant birds starts with understanding one simple question: What do African Grey Parrots eat? Providing a balanced and appropriate diet is the single most important thing you can do for your feathered companion. When you know exactly what your African Grey Parrot should eat, you are setting them up for a lifetime of vibrant health, beautiful plumage, and mental sharpness. This isn’t just about filling a bowl; it’s about providing the right fuel for one of nature’s most intelligent creatures.

The Foundation: Pellets for the African Grey Parrot Diet

When considering what do African Grey Parrots eat, you must first think of a high-quality, formulated pellet. In the wild, these birds have access to a huge variety of foods that change with the seasons, from the palm fruit of the African oil palm tree to countless seeds, berries, and vegetation found across their native range, including countries like Ghana and the Republic of Congo. In our homes, we need a consistent way to deliver a complete nutritional profile, and that’s where pellets come in.

Pellets Should be the Core: My recommendation, and that of most avian veterinarians, is that pellets should make up approximately 60-80% of your African Grey’s daily intake. Brands that are specifically formulated for African Greys or medium-to-large parrots are best. They are engineered to provide a balanced mix of essential vitamins and minerals, which is something that a seed-only diet simply cannot do.
Preventing Nutritional Deficiencies: African Grey Parrots are particularly prone to Vitamin A deficiency (Hypovitaminosis A) and calcium deficiency (Hypocalcemia). High-quality pellets are fortified to address these common issues. This is why a complete pelleted diet forms the cornerstone of what an African Grey Parrot eats here at The African Grey Parrot Home.
Making the Switch: If your bird is currently on a predominantly seed diet, don’t switch “cold turkey.” It must be a gradual process to avoid stress and ensure they are eating enough. Start by mixing a small amount of pellets into their current food and slowly increase the ratio over several weeks. I often advise clients to monitor their bird’s weight during this transition, as I do with all my birds here in my aviary.

The Fresh Component: Fruits, Vegetables, and Greens

The rest of the diet, which is just as crucial, should be made up of fresh produce. This is where the diet becomes mentally stimulating and incredibly enriching, mimicking the variety of what African Grey Parrots eat in nature. Aim for about 15-25% of the daily intake to be fresh vegetables and greens, and limit fruit to no more than 10% due to its higher sugar content.

🥬 Vegetables: The Nutrient Powerhouse

Vegetables are the stars of the fresh food component. They are lower in sugar and packed with the necessary micronutrients.

Vitamin A Rich Options: To combat the African Grey’s tendency toward Vitamin A deficiency, you must prioritize dark yellow, red, and orange vegetables. Great choices include cooked sweet potato, raw carrots, butternut squash, and bell peppers.
Calcium-Boosting Greens: Due to their risk of hypocalcemia, calcium-rich greens are non-negotiable. I feed my flock a rotation of kale, broccoli, collard greens, and mustard greens. Even the florets of broccoli are a favorite for many of my Greys.
Other Excellent Veggies: Other safe and healthy vegetables to include are green beans, corn on the cob (in moderation), cooked peas, and various types of squash. Offering a diverse “chop” mixture of these items daily keeps your parrot interested and ensures a broad nutrient intake.

🍎 Fruits: A Healthy Treat in Moderation

Fruits are a wonderful source of antioxidants and hydration but should be given sparingly.

Best Fruit Choices: Good options include apples (ensure all seeds are removed, as they contain cyanide), berries (blueberries, raspberries), melons (cantaloupe, watermelon), and tropical fruits like papaya and mango.
Watch the Sugar: Because fruits are naturally high in sugar, a small piece a day is generally enough. Remember, a little goes a long way for a bird of their size.

Seeds and Nuts: The Training and Treat Economy

While a seed-only diet is dangerous, a very small amount of high-quality seeds and nuts is part of what African Grey Parrots eat and serves an important purpose as training rewards and foraging incentives.

Limit Intake: Seeds and nuts are high in fat and should be limited to about 10% of the daily diet. Think of them as special treats, not staple food.
Smart Nut Choices: Unsalted nuts like almonds, walnuts, pecans, and hazelnuts are great sources of healthy fats, but only offer a few per day. They are also fantastic for hiding in foraging toys to keep your Grey’s mind active.
Healthy Seed Options: If you offer seeds, look for low-fat, high-nutrition mixes, and avoid the oversized bags of sunflower seeds and peanuts, which are extremely high in fat and low in calcium and Vitamin A. Sprouted seeds are an excellent option, as the sprouting process increases their nutritional value.

Foods to Absolutely Avoid for Your African Grey Parrot

It is just as important to know what not to feed your African Grey as it is to know what do African Grey Parrots eat. Certain common human foods are toxic to parrots and must be strictly avoided.

Toxic Food	Why It’s Dangerous
Avocado	Contains Persin, a fungicidal toxin that can cause respiratory distress, weakness, and sudden death.
Chocolate	Contains Theobromine, which is toxic to birds and can cause seizures, tremors, and cardiac issues.
Caffeine	Can cause cardiac stimulation and arrhythmia. Avoid coffee, tea, and soda.
Alcohol	Toxic, even in small amounts.
Fruit Pits/Apple Seeds	Contain trace amounts of cyanide. The fleshy fruit is safe, but the seeds/pits must be removed.
Onion and Garlic	Can cause anemia or irritation to the mouth and digestive tract.
High-Fat, Salty, or Sugary Junk Food	Can lead to obesity and nutritional imbalances over time.

Supplementation and Water: The Finishing Touches

Even with the best diet, African Greys often benefit from a few finishing touches to ensure optimal health.

Calcium and D3

As mentioned, African Greys are highly susceptible to calcium deficiency, which can lead to serious health issues like seizures.

Dietary Sources: Ensure a consistent supply of calcium-rich foods like kale and broccoli.
Cuttlebone/Mineral Block: Always have a source of calcium, such as a cuttlebone or a mineral block, available in the cage.
Vitamin D3: Calcium absorption requires Vitamin D3. This comes from exposure to unfiltered sunlight (not through a window) or an avian-specific UVB lamp. If your bird is primarily indoors, a quality avian UVB light is not a luxury—it’s a necessity for proper calcium metabolism. I stress this point to all my customers, whether they live in a city like Boston or a smaller town outside of New York.

Fresh Water

Clean, fresh water must be available at all times. Change your bird’s water twice daily, as they often dunk their pellets or food into the water bowl, making it a breeding ground for bacteria. Use thoroughly cleaned dishes every time.

My Experience as a Breeder (John, The African Grey Parrot Home)

As a breeder and lifelong companion to African Greys, I’ve seen firsthand the dramatic difference a proper diet makes. A bird consistently fed an incomplete or predominantly seed-based diet is a bird prone to plucking, lethargy, poor feather quality, and serious illness. Conversely, the Greys raised at The African Grey Parrot Home, eating a rich, balanced diet of high-quality pellets, fresh vegetables, and limited healthy treats, are vibrant, playful, and mentally engaged.

This level of dedication—the effort to understand precisely what do African Grey Parrots eat and to provide that variety daily—is what allows them to thrive. I’ve helped countless individuals, from new owners in big cities like Los Angeles and Chicago to more experienced keepers in smaller communities like Santa Fe and Charleston, transition their birds to a healthier diet, witnessing amazing transformations in energy and temperament. It is an investment of time, but it pays off with a happier, healthier, and longer-living companion. The sheer number of safe, healthy foods that your African Grey Parrot can eat is extensive, and with a little creativity, mealtimes become a fun, enriching activity.

Summary of the Optimal African Grey Diet

Providing the optimal diet for your African Grey is all about balance, variety, and consistency.

60-80%: High-Quality Pellets
15-25%: Fresh Vegetables and Dark Leafy Greens
< 10%: Fruits, Nuts, and Seeds (used as treats/rewards)

This balance ensures your bird receives all the necessary components of what an African Grey Parrot eats to truly flourish. The diet here at The African Grey Parrot Home is built on this very structure, a model that promotes not just survival, but true vitality. A consistent supply of calcium-rich vegetables and Vitamin A sources is non-negotiable for these magnificent birds. By focusing on a structured, varied, and fresh diet, you are honoring the trust your intelligent African Grey Parrot places in you as their primary caretaker.

What do African Grey Parrots eat