Most African Greys in Nigerian homes are fed sunflower seeds and little else. It is the single most common cause of preventable illness we see in the species, and it is straightforward to fix.
Why seed-only diets cause problems
Seeds are high in fat and low in calcium and vitamin A. African Greys are particularly prone to low blood calcium, more so than most other parrots. A bird on seeds alone can look perfectly healthy for years and then deteriorate quickly.
The warning signs are easy to miss: dull or ragged feathers, flaky skin around the beak and feet, frequent respiratory infections, and in advanced cases trembling or seizures. By the time these appear the deficiency is well established.
What a good diet looks like
Formulated pellets — roughly two-thirds of the diet. Pellets are nutritionally complete, so your bird cannot pick out its favourites and leave the rest. This is the single biggest improvement most owners can make.
Fresh vegetables daily — about a quarter. Dark leafy greens, carrot, sweet potato, pumpkin and bell peppers are all excellent and all available in Lagos markets. Vary them.
Fruit — a small amount. Fruit is high in sugar. Treat it as a treat.
Seeds and nuts — for training and enrichment only. A few nuts a day for foraging is enrichment. A bowl of seeds is a diet problem.
Never feed these
- Avocado — toxic to parrots
- Chocolate
- Caffeine, including tea and coffee
- Alcohol
- Onion and garlic
- Salty or heavily processed human food
Changing a seed addict over
A bird that has eaten seeds its whole life will often refuse pellets at first, and some will genuinely starve rather than eat something unfamiliar. Do not switch abruptly and walk away for the weekend.
Mix a small amount of pellets into the usual seed and increase the proportion over several weeks. Eat in front of your bird — parrots are social feeders and copy what they see. Offer new vegetables in the morning when your bird is hungriest.
Weigh your bird weekly during any diet change. A kitchen scale is enough. Any sustained weight loss means stop and speak to a vet.
Two things owners forget
Calcium and sunlight. Birds need vitamin D to use calcium, and they make it from natural light. A bird kept permanently indoors behind glass gets very little. Safe access to outdoor light, in a secure cage away from direct midday sun, matters more than most owners realise.
Fresh water, changed daily. In Lagos heat a water bowl grows bacteria quickly. Change it every day, and more often if your bird drops food in it.
If you are not sure
Diet changes are worth getting right, and a bird that is already unwell needs a proper assessment rather than a new feeding plan. Our veterinary team can check your bird's weight, condition and bloodwork and tell you what it actually needs.
