Parrot owners are often searching for the best foods to give their feathery friend, and want to find things that they will enjoy, and that are good for them.
Blackberries are known for their deep color, which often indicates a healthy fruit choice, but any responsible bird owner knows that not all fruits and berries are safe for parrots to eat, so you may be wondering, can parrots eat blackberries?
Yes, parrots can safely eat and enjoy blackberries. Including fresh blackberries in your parrots’ diet can provide essential nutrients that aren’t found in seeds and nuts, and can make your feathered friend healthier, stronger, and happier.
Blackberries are a nutritious and yummy option for your parrot to frequently enjoy.
This article will delve into everything blackberry, including do parrots like blackberries, what are the benefits of blackberries, how serve them, and much more!
Do parrots like Blackberries?
Usually the animals that frequently eat blackberries are bears and deer, as they don’t grow in places where parrots live in the wild. But that doesn’t mean they won’t like a new tasty treat.
You parrot will likely enjoy the sweet, and slightly tart flavor of blackberries.
What are the nutritional benefits of Blackberries for parrots?
Blackberries are very valuable, and the dark rich color is just one indication of how good these little berries are for your parrot’s overall health.
For parrots, small berries make up a large part of their diets in the wild, so including them in their diet at home is a healthy and recommended option.
Vitamin C
Blackberries are filled with vitamin C, in fact, one cup of raw blackberries has 30.2 milligrams of vitamin C.
A healthy parrot’s body uses large amounts of vitamin C every day, so your feathered friend needs to eat foods rich in vitamin C regularly at least, or daily.
This micronutrient benefits your parrot’s overall health since it boosts its immune system, helps in healing, regulates blood sugar, and lowers blood pressure.
Vitamin C specifically helps to prevent birds from engaging in self-destructive behaviors such as excessive chewing, tearing, and preening.
Antioxidants
Blackberries actually have the highest levels of antioxidants of any common fruit.
Antioxidants are known to help lower blood sugar and strengthen the immune system.
Antioxidants protect the body of free radicals which are unstable molecules that can damage cells and contribute to aging and the development of cancer.
Fiber
All berries are good sources of fiber.
The dietary fiber in blackberries is a great addition for a parrot that is a little overweight and may even help them lose weight as it will boost digestion.
As well, fiber can slow down the movement of food through the digestive tract and keep your parrot feeling full for longer.
Fiber is a very important quality in a happy, healthy bird’s diet.
If your parrot is feeling sick or has an infection, try adding blackberries into their diet.
Blackberries have been shown to have antibacterial properties and can help treat colds.
Anti-inflammatory
Blackberries have been proven to help with inflammatory illnesses such as arthritis, stomach ulcers, and other ailments.
If you have a parrot that is getting up there in years and isn’t moving as easily as it once did, try adding blackberries into their diet.
It may help with any pain they are feeling and loosen up their joints.
May contain happiness
Blackberries might actually have a surprising, but proven benefit.
They contain a chemical compound that is very similar to valproic acid, which is used as a mood-enhancing drug in humans.
Because of this, blackberries may actually make parrots happier, and healthier when they eat them.
If your parrot seems a little down, try giving them a few blackberries.
Protect against heart disease
Blackberries have been shown to contain a specific extract that could help protect your parrot against heart disease.
It is also found in blackberry juice which you can safely offer to your parrot.
Could possibly help towards stopping cancer from spreading
Blackberries are a part of a group of foods called “superfoods” because they are so healthy.
One of the many health benefits of blackberries is the fact that if they are fresh, it has been suggested that they can actually help towards preventing tumor growth and stopping the spread of cancer.
Help brain function
Blackberries help animal’s brains, and in this case, parrot’s brains, with motor and cognitive function, meaning they help them think easier and move quicker.
The rich polyphenol in blackberries helps to protect their brains as well.
How to serve Blackberries to a parrot
Blackberries are safe for parrots to eat, but because of the shape of the fruit, and the soft skin, they are hard to clean well.
The soft skin of the berries can easily absorb pesticides, and other harsh chemicals often sprayed over fruits and vegetables.
These are things we definitely do not want our parrots to consume.
Normally a thorough washing will be all you need to ensure your parrot is safe to consume fruits and vegetables, but in the case of blackberries, they are hard to clean and can absorb chemicals that won’t wash off anyway.
Because of this, they should not be fed to your parrot raw unless they are organic.
Berries can be served to parrots in many different ways.
Depending on the size of your bird, you may want to give them blackberries in their normal feeding bowl.
If you have a smaller parrot, they may prefer that blackberries are put onto a skewer for ease of their grabbing and eating.
As any bird owner knows, most parrots are quite messy eaters.
Unfortunately serving blackberries, especially when they are ripe and filled with juice, will mean that their meals are a bit messier.
Parrots can eat a few claws of blackberries every day to help get nutrients and aid a healthy diet.
Can parrots have dried Blackberries?
Parrots can also enjoy organic dried blackberries as an alternative to fresh ones.
Dried are just as good as fresh because they do contain the same nutrients.
The only difference is that because they are dried, they no longer have the same water content.
This also means that you should watch how many dried blackberries a parrot eats because they can eat more without feeling as full as fresh because of the lack of water.
This isn’t an issue unless your parrot is eating multiple handfuls, and therefore might then refuse to eat other things that are a necessary variety to give them a healthy balanced diet.
Can parrots have Blackberry juice?
Juice can feel like the easier and cleaner option for your parrots, and in the case of blackberries, it is a great alternative.
The juice will be much tarter than the fruit though, so your parrot may take a bit of time adjusting to the taste.
Can parrots have Blackberry jelly?
Because blackberries may leave a purple or blue mess over your parrot, its cage, and your house, you may be searching for an easier way to serve your parrot blackberries rather than the berries.
Blackberry jelly is quite popular for us humans, but can parrots eat it too?
Yes, they can, and blackberry jelly is a great way to serve your parrot a healthy dose of all the vitamins and minerals blackberries offer.
You can also always add some crushed blackberries into the jelly as well.
One thing to keep in mind though, is that cooking blackberries in order to make them into jelly may reduce the healthy antioxidants are blackberries are known for.
If that is what you are trying to add to your parrots’ diet, feed them fresh blackberries.
Try to choose brands of blackberry jelly for you parrot that have less preservatives and are low in sugar.
Do not choose sugar-free though, as those jellies use sugar substitutes that could be toxic for parrots as they contain aspartame.
Natural sugars are not bad for parrots as long as they are given in moderation.
It is best to feed your parrot jelly in a small bowl, and only give them scooping of jelly that is relative to how much fruit you would offer them normally.
The jelly can work as a replacement for fresh fruit or be given in a smaller amount as a yummy and nutritious snack.
Do Blackberries make a parrot’s poop purple or blue?
Yes!
Do not be alarmed if you notice that your parrots poop has a blue or purple hue to it.
Blackberries are known for that rich color that makes them so healthy, and it will definitely come out in their poop.
Depending on how many blackberries they eat, the color can turn quite dark which may be worrying to see, but it is totally normal.
Parrots have very fast metabolisms, and so your parrot’s poop will go back to normal quickly, once they have eaten something else.