8 Edible Flowers That Are Safe For Parrots

If you’re looking to give your parrot’s meals a nutrition boost, there’s nothing better than sprinkling on some fresh edible flowers.

While parrots can get their nutrition from the conventional pellets, fruits, and vegetables diet, flowers bring supplemental nutritional value without adding any more calories. Plus, they are easy to source and you can even grow them in your house.

But besides being included in your parrot’s meals edible flowers can also be used in other creative ways as well. They can be left in the cage for parrots to munch on or used to create herbal drinks that are hydrating and full of nutrition.

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Do Parrots Eat Flowers In The Wild?

Flowers comprise a small of the diet for most parrot species. Parrots prefer seeds and fruits because they are more widely available and also provide higher nutrition. However, there are some species of parrots for whom flowers are an important part of the diet, especially in the dry season.

According to Biotropica, parrots play a crucial role as seed predators in semideciduous forests. Their consumption of seeds and flowers impacts the health of plants in these environments.

Researchers studied the Scaly-headed Parrot in a semideciduous forest in southeastern Brazil for three years. The parrots were found to have a diet that consisted of (70.4%) seeds, followed by flowers (20.3%), corn from nearby farms (7.7%), and fruit pulp (1.6%).

Like this, there are many other parrots that rely majorly on flowers, nectar, and fruits for their nutrition. Lorikeets are one of the parrot species known to be frugivores who feed on fruits and flowers.

Safe Plants And Flowers For Parrots

Here are some of the healthiest edible flowers that are popular among parrots:

Chamomile Flowers

Chamomile is a floral herb with medicinal properties, antioxidants, and a range of nutrients. It can be served as herbal tea to parrots or as loose flowers. These flowers are excellent for gastrointestinal issues and soothing symptoms of anxiety in parrots.

Chrysanthemums

Organic chrysanthemum flowers make a healthy supplementary food for parrots. chrysanthemums can be used to enrich your parrot’s regular meals or mixed with their water. On their own, they are also a great source of soluble fiber and some nutrients.

Daisies

Daisies are packed with nutrients, particularly vitamin C. It is a low-calorie and delicious treat for your parrots and also provides a ton of nutrition. You can offer the entire flower including the stem, leaves, and petals to your parrot. It is completely safe. Daisies also reduce inflammation and support immune function.

Lavender

These violet flowers are small but awash with health benefits. It helps in relieving anxiety, manages blood sugar levels combats diseases. Including just a hint of lavender in your parrot’s food or giving it to them with tea can be beneficial for their health.

Besides that, you also use it to enhance the fragrance of your parrot’s cage and make it smell sweet all the time. Lavender has a pleasant odor and the entire plant is safe for parrots. So you can leave it in their cage as a foraging item that they may nibble at when they like and it keeps their home smelling nice.

Linden Flowers

Linden flowers promote relaxation and have a calming effect on parrots. If you have a bird that’s stressed and restless, giving them some linden tea can help improve their mood. In addition to that these flowers are also good for digestive issues and promoting healthy bowel movements.

Hibiscus

Hibiscus has a range of benefits for parrots. It is incredibly useful as a calming floral herb. If you have a cockatiel that’s prone to night fright, including hibiscus in its diet can help it feel less anxious. Also, it has anti-bacterial properties, which prevent infections and boost immunity.

Calendula

Calendula or marigold has been used for a long time for medicinal purposes. The petals of the calendula contain naturally occurring compounds called flavonoids. These compounds give them their anti-inflammatory and other medicinal properties.

Roses

Roses are rich in polyphenols, which are natural antioxidants that protect the parrot’s body from free radicals. Rose petals in herbal tea or water can be used to soothe stomach issues in parrots. It can even calm an anxious parrot. Roses have a mild floral flavor that parrots seem to like.

Flowers That Are Toxic To Parrots

There are over a hundred varieties of edible flowers, but not all of them are safe for consumption by parrots. We are mentioning some of the common flowers but you can check the full list of toxic flowers here at World Parrot Trust.

Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)

Chives, along with other members of the Allium family such as onions and garlic, contain sulfur compounds that are harmful to parrots. These compounds can cause oxidative damage to a bird’s red blood cells, leading to a condition called hemolytic anemia.

Amaryllis

The Amaryllis plant, including its flowers, is considered toxic to parrots. Amaryllis can be harmful if ingested by birds, leading to symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Lilies

All varieties of lilies should be kept out of your parrot’s reach. If you have a lilies around your house, make sure your parrot can not get near it.

Morning Glory

These fragile funnel-shaped blooms are colorful and drive attention towards them. But these flowers are harmful to parrots. The seeds of morning glory are especially toxic and should be kept away.