MILITARY MACAWS NUTRITION AND DIET
The Military Macaw has few, if any, special dietary requirements. They do need variety in their diet, much as they would get in the wild. A good parrot food, either pelleted or seed, is a good nutritional base.
The commercial formulated parrot diets contain all the necessary nutritional requirements for Military Macaws but they do not contain the phytonutrients that can be obtained from fresh fruit, vegetables and grains. Phytonutrients will provide a boost to the immune system and they also help speed healing. Nutritionists also believe that phytonutrients can prevent disease.
A seed-only diet will offer more variety however fortified seeds contain a much higher fat content which can lead to obesity. Also, a Military Macaw is a high-energy bird and its metabolism can not be maintained by a seed-only diet because it contains less nutrition.
Military Macaws will not only gain nutritional benefit but psychological enrichment as well when offered a varied diet containing a mix of commercial formulated feeds and seed supplemented with a wide variety of fruits, vegetables and protein. Feed your macaw a variety of chopped leafy green vegetables like broccoli and spinach, which will help supply them with calcium. They will also enjoy carrots, squash, corn on the cob and chili peppers. Include fruit such as apples, grapes, bananas and oranges. In addition, a Military Macaw will need additional protein. Add small portions of cooked meat, a cooked rice and bean mixture, and boiled eggs to their daily diet. Any fresh foods that they do not eat should be discarded after 24 hours.
As with all birds, do not feed your Military Macaw avocados, chocolate, coffee or salt. Chocolate and coffee contain theobromine, an alkaloid that is toxic to birds. Avocado is also toxic to birds. Foods with a high salt content are harmful to birds because they can not excrete salt.
Offer your macaw fresh water several times a day.
African Greys | Nanday Conures | Blue Fronted Parrots | Cockatiels | Caiques
English Budgies | Military Macaws | Harlequin Macaws | Cockatoos
