Monk parakeets, also known as Quaker parrots, are small to medium-sized parrots that are native to South America. In the wild, monk parakeets are found in a variety of habitats including forests, savannas, and urban areas. Their diverse natural habitat influences their varied diet. Monk parakeets are omnivores and eat a combination of plant and animal matter. Their nutritional requirements change somewhat based on the different stages of their life cycle. Understanding what monk parakeets eat is important for anyone interested in keeping them as pets or observing them in the wild.
Monk Parakeet Diet in the Wild
In their natural habitats in South America, monk parakeets have access to a wide variety of different foods. Their diet consists of:
- Seeds and nuts
- Fruit
- Berries
- Leafy greens and sprouts
- Blossoms and nectar
- Insects
- Spider eggs
- Small lizards
Monk parakeets are opportunistic foragers and eat whatever foods are seasonally available. They use their curved beaks to crack open hard nuts and seeds. Favorite seed and nut sources include palm nuts, acorns, pine nuts, almonds, pecans, sunflower seeds, and thistle seeds. Monk parakeets enjoy eating fruit and berries such as apples, pears, bananas, mangoes, figs, oranges, peaches, grapes, cherries, and elderberries. Leafy greens are also a regular part of their diet, including lettuce, kale, spinach, dandelion greens, cactus pads, sprouts, and buds. Monk parakeets supplement their mostly vegetarian diet with some animal protein in the form of insects, insect eggs, and small vertebrates. Caterpillars, beetles, grasshoppers, spiders, snails and lizards are eagerly consumed when encountered.
Diet During the Breeding Season
Monk parakeets breed during the springtime in their native South America. During the breeding season, female parakeets require extra protein and calcium to produce healthy clutches of eggs. Males also need extra nutrition to keep up their strength during this demanding period. Monk parakeets intensify their efforts to seek out and consume foods rich in protein and calcium. Good options include:
- Insects
- Spiders and snails
- Nuts and seeds
- Green leafy vegetables
- Citrus fruits
- Berries
- Eggshells
- Cuttlebone
The extra nutrients help ensure breeding birds stay healthy and productive. Monk parakeet pairs also feed each other to help meet the extra dietary demands.
Nestling and Juvenile Diet
Monk parakeet chicks (nestlings) hatch after about 24 days of incubation. For the first two weeks, the parents feed the nestlings with nutritious crop milk. This specialized secretion from the crop lining contains proteins, fats, sugars, and antibodies. Once the chicks develop feathers and leave the nest cavity, they are known as fledglings. Monk parakeet fledglings and juveniles have high energy demands. They continue to be fed by their parents but now get regurgitated whole foods. A juvenile monk parakeet’s diet consists mainly of:
- Seeds
- Fruits
- Berries
- Some vegetables
- Occasional protein from insects
This balanced diet helps young monk parakeets to grow and build up flight muscles quickly. Within 12 weeks, the independent juvenile birds are able to forage and feed themselves.
Diet in Captivity
Monk parakeets are popular pets and are kept by thousands of people around the world. In captivity, monk parakeets cannot forage freely and must be provided with a balanced, nutritious diet. The basic components of a good captive diet include:
- High quality commercial pellet formulas
- Small parrot seed mix with variety
- Chopped fruits and vegetables
- Sprouted seeds
- Occasional healthy human foods
A pelleted base should make up 50-60% of diet for optimal nutrition. Chopped fruits, veggies, sprouts and healthy human foods like beans, rice, pasta can compose up to 40% of the diet. No more than 10% should come from seeds, which are higher in fat. Clean, fresh water must be available at all times. Variety and moderation are key for pet parakeets. Owners need to monitor their pet’s weight and health to avoid obesity and nutritional deficiencies.
Recommended Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables provide beneficial vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It is important to rotate different produce regularly to give pet monk parakeets balanced variety. Healthy options include:
- Apples
- Papaya
- Bananas
- Berries
- Melons
- Peaches
- Kiwi
- Plums
- Oranges
- Pears
- Carrots
- Sweet potatoes
- Peppers
- Zucchini
- Broccoli
- Parsley
- Beets
- Green beans
Fruits and veggies should make up around 25% of the total diet. Overfeeding produce can lead to obesity. All fresh foods should be chopped into small pieces to prevent choking.
Healthy Seed and Grain Options
Seeds and grains can be part of a balanced monk parakeet diet but only make up a small portion due to their high fat content:
- Millet spray
- Canary grass seed
- Hulled oats
- Rice (brown, wild, red)
- Couscous
- Quinoa
- Pasta
- Whole wheat bread
No more than 1-2 teaspoons of seeds per parakeet should be offered daily in a separate dish. Leftovers should be discarded daily.
Vitamin and Mineral Supplements
If feeding a varied diet with plenty of produce, most monk parakeets do not require extra supplements. Specific supplements may be recommended by an avian vet for individual birds with deficiencies. Otherwise, good options to have on hand include:
- Cuttlebone for calcium
- Calcivet for calcium
- Mineral block
- Powdered nutritional supplement
Cuttlebones, mineral blocks and calcium supplements ensure pet monk parakeets get enough of these essential minerals. Multivitamin powders can be sprinkled over food 2-3 times per week for a boost.
Foods to Avoid
Some foods are toxic or harmful to parakeets and should be avoided. Do not offer monk parakeets:
- Chocolate
- Caffeine
- Alcohol
- Avocado
- Onions/garlic
- Salty foods
- Uncooked beans/grains
- Dried fruit with sulphur dioxide
- Raw potatoes
Chocolate, caffeine, alcohol and avocado are toxic. Onions, salt and raw legumes can cause serious health issues. Only properly prepared cooked people food should be fed sparingly.
Foraging Opportunities
In addition to their main diet, pet monk parakeets enjoy foraging for food. This allows them to exhibit natural behaviors. Owners can provide fun foraging activities by:
- Offering food on shreddable toys
- Hiding small pieces in paper
- Putting treats inside cardboard tubes
- Stringing up lettuce or kale leaves
- Scattering seeds in grass or leaves
Rotating different foraging activities keeps pet monk parakeets entertained and stimulated.
Conclusion
Monk parakeets are adaptable omnivores that thrive on a varied diet. Wild monk parakeets forage for seeds, nuts, fruits, vegetables, and some protein sources. Breeding birds need extra nutrition to support egg production and rearing young. Pet monk parakeets do best on a balanced diet of pellets, fresh produce, healthy grains, and limited seeds. Owners should tailor the diet to their individual bird’s needs and provide ample foraging opportunities. Following these monk parakeet dietary guidelines will lead to a healthy, enriched pet.