Photo by Dave Location: Orlando, Florida Eater: Rose Breasted Cockatoo "Bondi"  

My galah is the last of my flock who chooses to eat anything that might even be considered healthy for her. She won't try anything new unless I try it first and only wants a piece of whatever I touched, not the next one on the plate. Well, I finally got her to try eating the white part of an egg and she loves it! I'm really impressed as it's one of the only healthy things she will now eat (aside from her pellet diet, forget it, greens!). I've noticed with raising our new Congo African Grey parrot around Bondi, that if Cressi (the grey) tries something, Bondi gets more interested in it. Almost as though if it's good enough for Cressi, it's good enough for Bondi. It has been a serious trick I've been using more - and yesterday I caught Bondi with a purple beak from sharing in the fresh fruit I provided the two of them with (they are now sharing a cage). Ever since discovering the fact that Bondi is interested in foods that Cressi likes, I have gotten her to eat the following healthy foods:  

• The white part of a hard boiled egg (the yoke is high in saturated fat)
• Oatmeal
• Various fruit such as black berries, raspberries, oranges and plums
• Cooked pasta

It has been fun watching these two girls interact with one another and learn from each other. I'm hoping to eventually have Bondi tricked into eating vegetables soon enough!

Article by Jamieleigh Womach. She has been working with parrots and toucans since the age of 17. She isn’t homeless but is home less than she prefers to be. She travels the world with her husband, daughter, and a flockful of parrots whom she shares the stage with.