Natural Calcium Sources for Parrots

Question from the epofclinic website

Question: In addition to ready-made calcium supplements available in the market, what natural sources of calcium can be added to a parrot's diet?

Answer: If you're looking for calcium from natural sources, there are several options. Common sources used for animals and birds include cuttlefish bones, squid shells, and bones. However, there are many limitations when it comes to parrots, which is why they often rely on pellet food that contains minerals and vitamins. Nonetheless, there are still plant-based sources of calcium. For parrots, almonds, various types of beans, soybeans, and black beans are good options. Sunflower seeds, which are commonly used in parrot diets, also contain calcium, but only about a third of the amount found in almonds. For example, one cup of almonds can provide 300-400 milligrams of calcium, whereas sunflower seeds only provide about 100 milligrams. Additionally, some types of sesame seeds contain high amounts of calcium.

Vegetables with thick skins, like broccoli, also tend to have high calcium content, but other vegetables may not be suitable for parrots and can sometimes be harmful. As for fruits, bananas are rich in calcium, as are papayas. However, consuming certain foods to meet calcium requirements could have drawbacks. For example, almonds are high in fat, although the benefit of almonds is that you can consume a small amount and still get a lot of calcium. On the other hand, sunflower seeds provide moderate calcium, but you have to eat them in larger quantities. However, sunflower seeds have lower levels of other essential nutrients and pose a risk of excessive fat intake, potentially leading to deficiencies in vitamins, minerals, and important proteins such as methionine and lysine.

Offering fruits and vegetables may not always provide sufficient calcium, and it could even be detrimental. This is why premade food mixes are often preferred, as they contain a variety of grains that can help meet dietary needs, although they may still be incomplete. Therefore, mixing grains, fruits, vegetables, and sprouted seeds (like bean sprouts) in appropriate proportions is recommended. For those who prefer to prepare their own parrot food, adding vitamin and mineral powder or supplementing with whey protein, which is high in calcium, is another option. Alternatively, mixing calcium powder into the food can help. Pre-mixed pellet food remains necessary to prevent the risk of imbalanced nutrition.

Thus, calcium-rich grains should be used in combination with other foods to ensure proper nutrition for your parrot.