Can Parrots Eat Eggplant? (Answered!)

The other day I was frying up some eggplant, also known as aubergine.

Eggplant is one of my favorite vegetables.

It got me wondering, can my parrot eat eggplant?

It is delicious and nutritious, perhaps my feathery friend would enjoy it as well.

The answer to this question can parrots eat eggplant is yes, parrots can eat eggplant. It is safe for parrots to eat and can be added to your feathered friends regular diet for added health benefits.

We will investigate the risks and benefits of serving eggplant to your beloved parrot in this article.

As you will learn, there is a safe way to serve your bird eggplant, thus allowing it to benefit from this nutritious vegetable.

You will also learn that many parrot owners don’t always agree on whether this is the best course of action.

Here we will consider the following:

What are the concerns about eggplant for parrots?

Can different types of parrots safely eat eggplant?

How should eggplant be prepared for parrots?

Let’s get to it!

Table of Contents show

What nutritional benefits does eggplant have to parrots?

In moderation, eggplant is highly nutritious and full of folic acid, magnesium, vitamin B6, vitamin A, and potassium.

Your parrot could benefit from all of these nutrients.

Folic Acid

Eggplant is high in folic acid (vitamin B9), a necessary vitamin for your parrot.

Folic acid enables your pet to process amino acids and protein.

It is also essential for metabolism and cell growth.

Symptoms of folic acid deficiency can include a high mortality rate in offspring, stunted growth, anemia, and deformation of the bones and beak.

Magnesium

Eggplant is also a source of magnesium.

Magnesium is a mineral required by your parrot for proper bone formation, enzyme health, cardiovascular health, and carbohydrate metabolism.

A magnesium deficiency in parrots can cause thin-shelled eggs, low egg production, diarrhea, and behavioral issues.

Vitamin B6

Eggplant contains vitamin B6 which is necessary for the metabolism and breakdown of protein, fats, and carbohydrates.

In parrots, a deficiency in vitamin B6 can cause poor appetite, spasmodic convulsions, and poor growth.

Vitamin A

Eggplant contains vitamin A, a nutrient important to every system of your parrot’s body.

It is required for the formation and health of various types of tissues in a bird’s body.

It is also critical for the proper functioning of the brain and central nervous system.

Vitamin A enables healthy cardiovascular, respiratory, reproductive, kidney, and oral health.

It also ensures healthy skin, feathers, behavior, and vision in parrots.

In parrots, a deficiency in vitamin A causes the deformation of various types of cells, sinus infections, kidney problems, low immune system, reproductive problems, behavioral issues, and skin problems such as abscesses, fungus, and lesions.

Potassium

Potassium, also found in eggplant, is a mineral necessary for the metabolism of protein and glucose in parrots.

It also enables muscle health, nerve health, and the regulation of fluids.

A deficiency in potassium can result in poor egg quality, muscle weakness, convulsions, and even death.

Phytonutrients

Eggplant is also high in phytonutrients.

Phytonutrients enhance immunity and healthy cell development and growth.

There are different types of phytonutrients.

The class of phytonutrients to which eggplant belongs are known as phenols or polyphenols.

They are most easily characterized by their blue, blue-red, and violet color variations seen in produce such as eggplant, grapes, and berries.

These fruits and vegetables are responsible for performing a variety of antioxidant actions.

Oxalic Acid

Eggplant also has high levels of oxalic acid and calcium.

Oxalic acid suppresses the absorption of calcium when the animal consuming it fails to receive other foods that are high in calcium and low in oxalic acid.

For example, collards are high in calcium but low in oxalic acid.

Certain types of nuts and seeds are also high in calcium but low in oxalic acid.

Serving eggplant in combination with collards, seeds, and nuts would be a smart nutritional choice for your bird as it would encourage calcium absorption.

Research other foods high in calcium and low in oxalic acid.

Consider serving them in combination with eggplant.

Solanine

Solanine is a compound found in significant levels in all nightshades including eggplant.

It has been known to cause stomach aches, diarrhea, and even death in birds when consumed in immoderate amounts.

Large quantities of solanine can even have negative effects on humans, though you would have to consume a large amount of solanine to reap the negative consequences.

To avoid the negative effects of solanine when serving your bird this vegetable, proper precautions must be taken in the preparation of the eggplant.

We will discuss proper preparation methods. Remember, moderation is important.

As you will discover in researching this topic online, some parrot owners believe that the presence of solanine and oxalic acid in eggplant outweighs the benefits of eggplant.

The key to health for your parrot is always research, communication with your vet, proper preparation, and a wide variety of dietary options.

When you do feed your parrot a new food, be sure to notice any unusual behavior and consult your vet.

If the eggplant seems to disagree with your bird, there are always other ways for your feathery friend to get the nutrients they need.

How do you prepare eggplant for a parrot?

The best way to serve a parrot eggplant is cooked. It will be much more delicious and nutritious this way!

Cooking eggplant also helps to remove a slight bitterness that can be present in eggplant.

This bitterness is caused by solanine.

Cooking the eggplant will draw out some of this compound.

Soaking the eggplant in water for thirty minutes or so prior to cooking it can also help to draw out solanine and oxalic acid.

Roast or fry only the inner white flesh of the eggplant.

Discard the skin, stem, vines and leaves.

Remember, always keep these parts of the eggplant far away from your pets as they are toxic.

You may salt the eggplant lightly if you so desire.

You could serve it to your parrot cubed or even shredded and mixed with other foods.

Once again, if you do serve your parrot eggplant, take note of any unusual behavior that might occur after the feeding.

Call or visit your vet right away if you have any concerns.

Can cockatiels eat eggplant?

Yes, cockatiels can eat eggplant.

Can amazon parrots eat eggplant?

Yes, amazon parrots can eat eggplant.

There are a few things that should be considered when you feed your gorgeous green friend this vegetable.

Amazons are prone to calcium and vitamin A deficiencies.

Luckily, eggplant is high in vitamin A and calcium.

Yet, there is the issue of the oxalic acid suppressing calcium absorption.

To avoid this problem, be sure that you are feeding your amazon a wide variety of high calcium, low oxalic foods.

Also make sure you consult your vet.

If you do choose to share the vegetable with your amazon, make a note and try and see if they like it and how it affects their digestive system after the meal.

If your bird seems uninterested or its digestive system seems negatively affected, avoid giving eggplant to your friend in the future.

Can Eclectus parrots eat eggplant?

Yes, Eclectus parrots can eat eggplant.

If you do choose to serve your Eclectus eggplant, please ensure they are getting a wide variety of fruits and vegetables in their diet. Avoid serving them eggplant on a regular basis if you do choose to use eggplant.

As with any type of parrot, it is critical that your Eclectus have a diet similar to what they may have in their natural habitat. In the wild, an Eclectus diet is quite varied.

There are so many lovely foods out there that us humans enjoy!

Naturally, we wish to share them with our beloved bird friends.

However, it is only wise to first consider their very different nutritional needs.

Be sure to do your research and to consult your vet, especially when you are unclear on any information you may find on the internet.

Regularly observe your bird’s behavior and bring it up with your parrot’s vet if anything seems out of the ordinary.

I hope that this will enable you to make an informed decision about feeding your parrot eggplant.

Thank you for reading!