Can Quaker Parrots Eat Strawberries? Find Out!

If you ever plan to bring home a Quaker parrot, it’s essential to learn about its specific dietary needs as early as now. After all, a properly fed and cared-for Quaker parrot can be your companion for as much as 20 years, providing you with plenty of affection and, of course, chirps.

So, in case you’re wondering, can Quaker parrots eat strawberries? Yes, they can. Quaker parrots are omnivores that feed on various foods out in the wild. As such, introducing fresh and healthy fruits like strawberries is one of the best ways to liven up your Quaker’s mostly pellet-filled diet, all while giving it some extra nutritional benefits.

Eager to learn more? Keep reading to learn more about strawberries, their nutritional benefits, and the part they can play in your Quaker parrot’s journey to optimum health.

Why feed strawberries to your Quaker parrot?

At times, your Quaker parrot can be a picky eater, often preferring one type of food over the other. However, these birds also naturally love pecking on fruits like berries, so adding strawberries should be no problem at all.

But why feed strawberries in the first place?

Simple. More than the sweet taste (which your parrot will appreciate), strawberries also add two things: nutrition and variety.

While feeding pellets or formula is generally recommended for domestic birds, they should never wholly fill their diet. Instead, a good portion should be reserved for fresh fruits, vegetables, and the occasional treat.

Doing so adds variety, which is incredibly important for a naturally omnivorous bird that tends to be picky when fed the same thing repeatedly.

Furthermore, strawberries are very nutritious, and adding nutrition to a diet is always a good thing, as long as the food is served in moderation. That means that if you want to be a responsible bird owner, then you should always make sure you provide your Quaker parrot’s specific dietary needs.

Additional reading: Can Quaker Parrots Eat Blueberries?

What parts of strawberry to feed?

If you’re wondering what parts of the strawberry is safe for parrot consumption, here’s a quick primer that you can always keep in mind:

Strawberry Flesh – Easily the most obvious part, strawberry flesh is delicious and nutritious, so let your Quaker parrot have at it. That said, remember that berries, in general, are very juicy, so be prepared for a mess if you’ll be leaving your pet unsupervised while dining. Alternatively, chop the berry into smaller pieces for easier consumption.

Strawberry Seeds – Plenty of seeds and fruit pits are unsafe for parrots. However, strawberry seeds don’t fall into that category. Strawberry seeds are both safe and incredibly nutritious. So let your pet enjoy its time pecking and eating.

Strawberry Skin – If you’re also wondering whether you need to skin the strawberries first, then the answer is no. Strawberry skin is also healthy and has its fair share of nutrition. That said, remember always to buy organically grown berries and wash thoroughly before feeding to avoid any risk of pesticide.

Strawberry Leaves – Strawberry leaves are also safe to feed to your Quaker parrot. However, don’t be surprised if your pet doesn’t end up liking it, as plenty of birds don’t like the taste of leaves. If your parrot likes it, however, then there’s no need to worry.

Strawberry Juice – Fresh strawberry juice is entirely safe; make sure that you only give small amounts to your pet. Otherwise, avoid store-bought fruit juice as these often contain unwanted ingredients like sugar or processed corn syrup, which is unhealthy.

Dried Strawberries – While they have a longer shelf life, most store-bought strawberries also contain ingredients like sugar and preservatives, so avoid these.

Additional reading: Can Quaker Parrots Eat Tomatoes?

What are the benefits of feeding strawberries to Quaker parrots?

In general, all types of berries are very healthy for Quaker parrots, so adding them should benefit your bird. However, if you do decide to go with strawberries, here’s what your Quaker parrot will benefit from:

Fiber – Of course, strawberries are high in fiber, which plays an important role in the digestive system. Fiber prevents constipation and irregular bowel movement by adding bulk to stool. More than that, it also helps re-energize the good bacteria in their lower gastrointestinal tract.

Vitamin C – Strawberries are also full of vitamin C, which helps provide energy, reduce inflammation, fight free radicals, assist in wound healing, improve your bird’s skin and plumage, and give its immune system a great boost to help fight off disease.

Vitamin K – Lastly, strawberries also contain vitamin K, which helps build bones, blood-clotting, and regulate blood calcium levels.

Aside from these, strawberries also have phosphorus, potassium, folate, manganese, and iron to help improve your bird’s overall health.

This makes strawberries an excellent diet addition, one that poses minimal risk for your Quaker parrot.

How many strawberries should you feed? And how to feed them to your bird?

While strawberries are an excellent addition to any Quaker parrot’s diet, it’s also important to know that these types of fruit should be kept to a minimum and never fed in excess.

This is because too many strawberries can lead to several health risks. For example, strawberries contain sugar, leading to your bird becoming overweight. In some cases, it can even lead to an upset stomach or diarrhea.

As such, it’s important to keep strawberry feedings between one or two strawberries weekly. Furthermore, starting small and gradually increasing the amount is also highly recommended.

In terms of feeding, chopping the strawberries into small pieces should be more than enough for your pet. However, since the whole strawberry is perfectly safe, you can also just serve as is, but be prepared for a mess afterward.

Either way, make sure that the strawberries have been thoroughly washed. Opt to buy from organically-grown produce as well, and you and your pet bird should be good.

Additional reading: Can Quaker Parrots Eat Watermelon?

Can Quaker Parrots eat strawberry seeds? Yes. Unlike other fruit seeds and pits, strawberry seeds are safe for Quaker parrots. Not only that, but they also contain extra nutrition like fiber.

Can Quaker Parrots drink strawberry juice? As long as it’s naturally made, a tiny amount should do. Otherwise, store-bought strawberry juice with extra ingredients should be avoided.

Can Quaker Parrots eat other types of berries? Absolutely. Berries are nutritious, and in general, any berry you’d eat yourself is also safe for your pet bird.

Final Thoughts

Quaker parrots are energetic, cheerful, and vibrant pet birds, and strawberries will add to their colorful personality. Additionally, the fruit’s low-calorie content is also a great extra benefit.

Just remember to feed in moderation since less is always more. Happy bird-keeping!