Parrots in captivity frequently suffer from nutrition-related diseases because all-seed diets common among owners fail to meet their complex dietary needs in the wild.
Nutritional deficiency is among the most common and preventable causes of companion parrot suffering. Birds fed only seeds develop chronic health conditions including respiratory infections, feather problems, and organ disease over years. The transition from seeds to a more complete diet can be challenging as parrots are neophobic, but gradual introduction of pellets and fresh foods dramatically improves long-term health and welfare. Owner education is the primary barrier to better parrot nutrition.