Feeding Your Indian Ringneck or Asiatic Parrot

Ringnecks and Asiatic parrots are not picky eaters.   Most ringnecks and Asiatic parrots will eagerly devour fruits and vegetables if they are given the chance.  Only a few selected birds might refuse to eat alternative foods other than seeds.  In my experience, if I ever did come across and Indian Ringneck who chooses not to eat pellets, fruits, or vegetables, they were easily converted to a healthy diet in weeks. Asiatic parrots in particular seem to be birds that really enjoy trying different foods. My Indian Ringnecks have such an appetite that anything that is placed into their cage is quickly eaten up.  Before I get into what Indian Ringnecks can eat, it is important to understand what they eat in their natural habitats.

          Wild ringnecks eat many things in their natural surroundings.  These parrots enjoy fruits, blossoms, and seeds.  Because of their need to eat fresh fruits, many farmers in Pakistan and India regard these birds as pests.  In the jungles they are forced to seek out ripe fruit or eat blossoms.  Openings inside the forests provide the opportunity to find grass seeds or fresh saplings.  More recently, many farmers located in Bakersfield, California are starting to complain about crop damage due to feral Indian Ringnecks.  They are said to feed off the fruit and nut trees form their orchards.   This is just a clue as to what these parrots need to survive and be healthy.

          So with that knowledge at hand, feeding your Indian Ringneck should not difficult.  Their stable diet needs to be a combination of pellets and seeds.  I will not name the brand of pellets I use; however, I can tell you that mine enjoy them.  When breeding my Indian Ringnecks I was told never to use pellets that were artificially dyed or pellets that contained sugar.   I can’t disagree with this statement more.  I have been using a particular brand for a while and I have never run into problems with my bird’s health.  I find this information to be misleading and no scientific evidence has been published to prove these accusations.  My ringnecks are healthy and active and I attribute this to their diet.

          Seeds also need to be included in a healthy Asiatic parrot diet.  Seeds should not be removed because these birds naturally eat seeds in the wild.  People started saying that seeds were bad for their birds because many of the parrots that only ate seeds developed problems.    Seeds alone are fatty and can cause serious complications and shorten the lifespan on your Asiatic parrot drastically.  If however, they are given in moderation then they are perfectly safe and healthy. My Indian Ringnecks prefer cockatiel seeds to conure seeds.  A good Cockatiel mix will have a mixture of both small and large seeds.  If you are feeding larger Asiatic parrots such as Alexandrians or Derbyans, then a conure mix will suffice. 

          I would not advise mixing the pellets and seeds together.  Indian Ringnecks are smart and will easily avoid eating the pellets. It is much better to rotate between the two every few days. I keep the seeds in for four days and the pellets in for three days.   This gives my ringnecks the opportunity to really eat and benefit from each food.  Giving only pellets can also cause serous problems such as a nutrient overdose; so giving pellets in moderation will avoid this. Again, the key is moderation and substitution. 

Fruits need to be added to your Indian Ringneck’s diet as well.  Apples are probably one of their favorite fruits.  Watching them eat their apples is fascinating and it is obvious they enjoy the taste of it.  They eagerly drink the juice and chew the flesh into a pulp.  It is amazing how quickly a slice will disappear.  Grapes also seem to be a favorite and are also enjoyed.  Be sure to include all kinds of fruits such as oranges, kiwis, pears, mangos, and melons.  Spoiled or old fruit should never be given to your parrot.

Though fruit is probably their first choice of fresh foods, vegetables need to be included into their diet as well.  I give my Indian Ringneck raw baby carrots.  Archimedes, my pet Indian Ringneck, will munch on a baby carrot for hours.  He holds the carrot in his hand and takes small bites. Leafy greens need to be included.  I just place the leaves whole into the cages.  Most Indian Ringnecks will not hold them but gently tear off chunks.  Warm squashes, such as pumpkin, zucchini, or banana squashes are enjoyed if they are cubed and boiled.  Be creative and always offer vegetables to your Indian Ringneck or Asiatic parrots.   

You also need to feed your parrot items rich in protein.  Too much protein is not good; however, a few chunks of cooked meat is ideal.  I find that shredded turkey or chicken will do the trick.  Once a week I offer some kind of protein item.  Just be sure to remove it an hour after being placed into the cage.  This will ensure it does not spoil.

          Remember, feeding your Indian Ringneck does not have to be difficult.  These parrots will eat anything you cook just be sure to avoid oils, salts, and preservatives.  If you cook, prepare vegetables and fruits while you make your meals. It will save you time and can be stored and given throughout the week.  If you properly feed your Indian Ringneck you can expect him to live 20 or more years, some Asiatic parrots can reach their 30s.