Because of the many different kinds of birds, there are many different types of bird food formulas that are designed for specific birds. Pet birds can be drastically different in terms of their dietary requirements, and may need special types of foods in order to stay in good health. In general, bird food formulas can be divided by the type of diet that a bird requires in order to be healthy. There are four different categories of birds, each of which have general dietary requirements. Being aware of which category your bird is in is a very important part of pet care, since it will allow you to gain a general idea of the type of food you will need for your bird.
NECTARIVORE
Certain types of birds are classified as being nectarivores. This means that a bird has a specialized diet that includes pollen, nectar, seeds and some types of insects. Birds such as lories are among the bird species that require this type of special diet. If your bird is a nectarivore, you will have to purchase a “nutritionally complete” nectar formula from a commercial company. These formulas are designed to be fed to birds that thrive off of a nectar diet, and often contain extra vitamins in order to ensure that a bird remains in good health. It’s highly recommended by bird care experts that nectarivore birds do not eat any seeds, grains or nuts, since they aren’t able to properly digest these foods.
OMNIVORE
If your bird is an omnivore, this means that they will thrive off of a diet that contains insects, seeds, some invertebrates and certain seeds. There are many different types of omnivorous birds, such as the red-tailed Amazon and the sulfur- crested cockatoo. The best bird food formula for an omnivorous bird includes a special commercial mixed formula designed for birds that have higher protein requirements. In addition to this, there are also some insect larvae, worms and dried insects that can be used to add additional nutrition to your bird’s diet. This is the most effective formula for feeding an omnivorous bird.
FRUGIVORE
Certain birds, such as some macaws are classified as being frugivores. If your bird is a frugivore, you will need to purchase a special bird food formula designed for fruit-eating birds. These formulas usually consist of a variety of dried fruits, as well as a small percentage of nuts. However, these mixed formulas should not be the only source of nutrition for your bird. You can also feed your frugivore bird fresh peaches, pears, bananas, mangos and apple slices.
GRANIVORE
Granivore birds are also classified as being “seed-eating” birds. This is the classification for most pet birds kept in captivity, and includes all birds that live in the wild primarily by consuming a seed-based diet. If your bird is a granivore, you will be able to purchase a special seed mix from most pet supply stores. However, this seed mix usually needs to be supplemented with some fresh ingredients in order for your bird to remain in good health.