Photo by Jamieleigh Location: Coney Island, NY Shown: Boiled eggplant

Here in New York I have been able to visit the whole foods market as well as the fresh veggie and fruit markets on the corner of pretty much every street! It has been super fun to pick out the newest seasonal foods for our birds. Recently I picked up a couple eggplants and boiled them for my birds. They LOVED it! It was a nice treat and I actually fed them during the first animal open house of the day and was amazed at how many people recognized it as eggplant and were surprised to see the birds eating such food.

Every day I try to give them something different, which doesn't always happen, but it makes it fun for me and them.

I also picked up some whole wheat lasagna pasta and put coconut and flax seed on top while it was still hot, so that it really stuck to the noodles. Then when it cooled down I served it to my birds.

Photo by Jamieleigh Location: Coney Island, NY Shown: Cooked whole wheat lasagna noodles with flax seed and coconut flakes (unsweetened) 

Pastas are my favorite food to shop for since there are such a variety of them, but I try to stay closer to veggies since I'm a real fruit eater and see the veggie thing as my own personal weakness.

Photo by Jamieleigh Location: Coney Island, NY Shown: Blue berries, red raspberries and golden raspberries 

Since I'm more of a fruit eater, as is my toucan, I always have fruit on hand. And in the summer time on hot days, it's good to give fruit as a source of water to keep your birds hydrated in the heat.

Just thought I'd share some random foods I've been feeding my birds so as to give you any ideas on what to give yours to change it up here and there. Happy eating!

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.