Diet is the most common cause of preventable health problems in companion birds, with all-seed diets causing nutrient deficiencies that reduce lifespan and quality of life.
The all-seed diet that was standard in bird keeping for decades is now recognised as a primary cause of preventable death in companion birds. A budgerigar fed exclusively millet and sunflower seeds develops liver disease from fat accumulation, immune dysfunction from Vitamin A deficiency, and reproductive problems from calcium deficiency — all preventable with a species-appropriate varied diet. Transitioning birds from seeds to pellets is challenging and requires patience, but the welfare benefit is a bird that lives years longer and enjoys far better health throughout its life.