As I was food shopping this week trying to find inspiration for alternative meal ideas, I came across an artichoke. Thinking of different recipes I can cook for friends and family when it led me to wonder, can parrots eat artichokes? After some research online, I found some fun facts. Let’s answer the question, can parrots eat artichokes?
The answer is yes, parrots can eat artichokes. It is safe for parrots to eat cooked or raw. The outer leaves tend to be offered as more of a toy as they are tough to eat; however, your parrot will enjoy shredding them.
The artichoke is a safe vegetable to give to your parrot; just make sure it is washed before you give it to them to make sure there are no pesticides or anything that could possibly harm your parrot.
In this article, we take a look at what an artichoke is, whether they have any nutritional benefits for your parrot, how to prepare an artichoke before giving it to your parrot, and much more.
So, without further ado, let’s get into it.
What is an artichoke?
An artichoke is classed as a vegetable. The plant is harvested before it blooms and is an immature thistle. It is not an easy vegetable to prepare, and you will have to do some work to reach the plant’s edible parts. The outer leaves are called bracts, the base of those leaves are edible, and the innermost leaves are tender enough to eat.
Known as one of the world’s oldest foods and even mentioned in Greek mythology, the artichoke is native to the Mediterranean region. Now available in the U.S and commonly grown in California, you can find crops in France, Italy, and Spain supplying the rest of the world. The artichoke is not the cheapest vegetable on the market due to only flowering once a year.
Are artichokes beneficial to my parrot’s diet?
Yes, high in rich fat, proteins, carbs, and vitamins C and K, the artichoke is jam-packed with anti-oxidants. Down below, let’s explore how these things help our parrots.
Fats
Fats are a required energy source and utilize the storage of fat-soluble vitamins. The recommended levels for our parrots are between 2%-4% of their total dietary intake. Some parrots like large macaws or the African grey prefer high-fat nuts containing up to 20% fats.
Proteins
These are necessary and essential for the body and are required for muscles and all other body tissues. This also included the parrot’s feathers. Between 10%-15% of parrot’s daily intake, this does rise to 20% in chicks, egg production, or recovery from illness or molting.
Carbohydrates
Carbs provide an energy source. The amount needed varies depending on your pet’s physical activity, environmental conditions, and fat levels. Free-living parrots will need up to 50% more energy intake in the winter months compared to a caged indoor bird.
Vitamins
Vitamins are essential to the body’s chemical reactions and processes. They can be divided into fat-soluble (vitamins A, D, E, and K) and water-soluble (vitamins B-complex and C). Fat-soluble vitamins can be found in the body as water-soluble vitamins are excreted from the body without being stored. A regular intake of vitamins is needed to keep parrots in tip-top health.
Essentially, healthy and fun-packed activity for your parrot with a nutritionally compressed, savory snack your parrot will adore. Another valuable benefit is it has been shown to lower blood pressure and aids a parrot’s digestion system.
How do I prepare an artichoke for my parrot?
Preparing an artichoke can be tricky if you do want to serve your parrot a cooked dinner. The cut flesh can stain your hands, so it is best to wear gloves. If you want to avoid the vegetable from discoloring, also place the freshly cut vegetable into water.
Cut the stem roughly 5cm and snap off the leaves until you find the pale yellow leaves towards the center of the vegetable. If needed, use a peeler to remove any tougher remaining leaves. You will then want to cut the top of the artichoke heart, which will reveal what is known as the ‘choke.’ It’s the hairy part in the middle of the plant.
Take a spoon and scoop out the choke, and discard it. Cook immediately to avoid discoloration.
Will my parrot enjoy playing with an artichoke?
Yes, they will. It helps the parrot explore and play to some of their best strengths. Providing parrots with entertainment can be tricky due to their intelligence, and as they have the same attention span as a young toddler keeping them engaged can be challenging.
Did you know that parrots will spend up to 70% of their day searching and gathering their food in the wild? It is a time-consuming activity. Therefore, a domestic bird who has their food presented to them in a bowl has a lot of spare time if not occupied.
Parrots maintain the strong instinct to forage for food, which is why the artichoke is so great for entertainment.
Many parrots can display behavior problems due to boredom, such as feather plucking or screaming, but giving them a foraging activity can solve behavioral issues.
An artichoke hung on a metal skewer in their aviary can make a great foraging toy. You can stuff the leaves of the artichoke with other fruit and vegetables to entice your parrot to engage in a fun-filled activity.
Fruits and veggies to try could include;
Peppers
Carrots
Celery
Watermelon
Blueberries
Just to name a few. Remember, the outer leaves of the artichoke have sharp thorn tips. Your grocer will commonly trim these, however, do check before presenting to your parrot. They can easily be removed using kitchen scissors.
You can definitely improve your parrot’s day by offering opportunities to forage. Taking the time to switch up their meals can give them endless hours of entertainment and give you the confidence of knowing you have a mentally and physically happy bird living their best life.
Are artichokes safe for my parrot?
They are on the non-toxic list of foods and are safe for parrots to eat and play with but ensure to follow the vegetables’ correct preparation. Remove any spike tips before offering them to your bird. The outer leaves are too tough to eat but an enjoyable activity for your bird. The inner yellow-colored leaves are the edible part of the plant, but just be aware of the inside hairy choke as that isn’t edible.
Can parrots eat cooked artichokes?
Yes, parrots can eat cooked artichokes. You can boil the artichoke as a cooked meal for your bird or use a microwave.
If you want to use the microwave, all you need to do is place your prepared artichoke into a microwavable dish, add ¼ inch of water, and use a safe, microwavable lid on the top.
Microwave for 4 minutes on high power and then leave to cool for 4 minutes before handling. Check to see if the artichoke is cooked by pulling one leaf away from the vegetable. If it comes away easily, it’s ready. If it is still tough, place it back into the microwave for a couple of minutes. Always allow it to cool before handling.
Remember to may sure the artichoke is cooled down before serving it to your bird.
Can parrots eat raw artichokes?
Yes, parrots can eat raw artichokes and thoroughly enjoy it too!
Your bird will enjoy shredding the outer leaves to find the inner edible leaves to munch on. It allows their instinctual foraging skills to come out and will keep them entertained.
Artichokes are an enjoyable and exciting snack to give your parrot, packed full of health benefits to boost your bird’s well-being, allowing them to flourish.
It is an instinctual foraging activity for mental stimulation and a time occupying task keeping your parrot fit, happy and healthy. The artichoke seems an overall win for you and your bird.
All parrots can enjoy an artichoke with no harmful side-effects to worry about, with the added bonus of it being a fun-filled activity.
Organic and well-washed artichokes are best for your parrot to ensure no chemicals harm your beloved friend. Enjoy watching your parrot devour their new favorite snack.
If you are ever unsure if a food item is safe for your parrot, please contact a vet for professional advice.