太陽鸚鵡的簡介 - 食物的選擇

在太陽鸚鵡的進食餐單中 , 我們只知道很少部分 . 根據部分研究 , 指出了太陽鸚鵡會進食全熟或半熟的種子和不同種類的水果和莓果 .

在野外的太陽鸚鵡會進吃堅果 , 果樹的花  , 花蕾 , 果核 , 經風傳播的種子 , 各類昆蟲

有些太陽鸚鵡被發現會破壞人類的農作物

此外 , 仙人掌和豆莢也是牠們所喜愛的食物

在繁殖季節中 , 太陽鸚鵡需要多點的蛋白質維持身體健康 . 同樣地 , 需要長途飛行和照顧幼鳥需要更多的炭水化合物 . 除外, 蛋的生產和骨骼健康需要鈣的保充

在人工飼養的環境中 , 太陽鸚鵡的食物需包含種子 , 穀類 , 豆類 , 堅果 , 水果和

蔬菜

在大多數的情况 , 太陽鸚鵡都會選擇牠們所喜愛的進食 , 而不是一些牠們所需要 , 對牠們健康重要的食物

有例子是 , 有些鸚鵡即使進食了大量食物 , 但依然因營養不良而死亡 .

Little is known about the actual diet of these birds in the wild. The stomach contents of examined birds have indicated that they feed on ripe and half-ripe seeds of various fruits and berries. They have also been known to eat nuts, blossoms, buds, fruit pits, wind-dispersed seeds and insects. Some groups of sun conures have also been known to devour and destroy entire crops near human habituation. Red cactus fruit is also a likely food choice among these birds as well as Malpighia berries and legume pods.

During the breeding season, more protein is required in the diet to keep these birds healthy. Similarly, long flights and young rearing call for more carbohydrates and egg production and skeletal growth require a higher calcium intake.

In captivity, their diets should be varied and include seeds, grains, beans, nuts, fruits and vegetables. Often times, however, they prefer to eat what tastes best to them over what they actually require for a healthy diet, often leading to malnutrition. In rare cases, these birds can eat large amounts of food and still die from malnutrition if they are not getting all of the nutrients that they need. Despite this, they are not picky eaters and can live primarily on grass seed. However, a diet of seeds alone can have a significantly negative effect on breeding. These birds really enjoy a variety of foods such as spinach, Chinese cabbage, cress, roquette, kale, broccoli, carrot tops, alfalfa, peas, endive, sweet potatoes, apples, bananas, citrus fruits, oranges, grapefruits, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, gooseberries, currants, rowans, elderberries, hawthorn berries, rose hips, carrots, cucumbers and tomatoes. These foods can be given fresh, dehydrated or in the form of baby food. Dandelions and chickweed are also occasionally fed to these birds as well as soaked corn, germinated sunflower seeds and spray millet. Buds from fruit trees, elderberry bushes, willows, hawthorn, and aspen branches are suitable as well. While insects are not a wise choice in captivity, some people may include mealworms in their diet. Others substitute the mealworms with hard-boiled eggs, bread, biscuits, hard cheese and low-fat dry cottage cheese. Ant eggs, though expensive, are also sometimes included in the diet. Finally, cuttlebones, mineral blocks and gravel or ground oyster shells should be given to aid in digestion

Because of an adaptation in the wild, conures will not eat anything they haven’t had before unless they see another bird eat it first. In captivity, some birds then want to try what their keepers are eating, which can be dangerous to their health. Spicy foods and salami are particularly bad for these birds. Lettuce, while definitely healthy for them, can cause intestinal problems and should only be fed in moderation. Peanuts, though acceptable, can be contaminated with fungal toxins that cause liver damage and cancer. They should never be given caffeine, alcohol, chocolate, fruit pits or avocado.