Can Budgies Eat Parsley? Important Benefits Explained

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The ideal budgerigar diet should include 20 to 25% of greens. But what veggies and leaves to add to the pet’s meal? Will parsley be a safe option? Can budgies eat parsley?

Budgies love the green taste of parsley. The herb is a bit peppery with a hint of bitterness. This unusual flavor brings variety to the taste palate of your budgies and boosts their appetite. Again, parsley is safer and packed with nutrients. Hence, the birds can enjoy health benefits from these green leaves.

Can you feed your budgies parsley every day? Is there any drawback to this green? Read this article to the end to find out.

Can Budgies Eat Parsley?

Budgies need a dose of greens every day. But do not add some low-nutrient veggies to their meals. Instead, you can completely rely on the parsley to fulfill the mineral requirements of your budgies.

Parsley is stuffed with vitamins and minerals. This green is rich in vitamins B1, B2, C, K, and beta carotene, iron, calcium, potassium, folate, etc.

Thus, regular feeding of parsley only promotes good health in the birds. In fact, these green leaves reduce the risks of physical complications in the budgies, making them live longer.

However, there is a dark side to parsley. Too much of this herb can cause digestive issues and lead to blood thinning. Considering the side effects, it is wiser to feed the budgerigars parsley only at a moderate portion.

What Are the Benefits of Parsley for Budgies?

Do not overthink the risks of parsley. You can eliminate the downsides of this herb easily. Most importantly, the advantages of parsley outweigh the drawbacks.

Some notable health benefits of parsley are,

1. High In Nutrition

You can not complain about the mineral percentage in parsley. The herb contains enough nutrition to boost the immunity of your budgies.

Here is a nutrition breakdown of 10g parsley,

Vitamin A	42 mcg
Vitamin C	13.3 mg
Calcium	14 mg
Iron	0.62 mg
Sodium	6 g
Potassium	55 mg
Protein	0.3 g
Dietary Fiber	0.3 g
Carb	0.63 g

2. Blessing, Especially for Pregnant Budgies

Parsley is packed with folic acid, which can fight folate deficiency in the budgerigars. The herbs increase red blood cell production, ensuring proper blood delivery throughout the body.

Besides, these leaves can prevent heart diseases in the birds. Parsley also has a tissue regenerative power. Therefore, cell growth becomes faster than before.

Furthermore, the folic acid in parsley is a blessing in disguise for the pregnant budgies. Regular feeding of this green will reduce birth defects.

3. Detoxicating The Biological System

The composition of parsley can successfully eliminate harmful elements present in the budgie’s system. As a result, the bird feels more energetic and stays more active.

4. Improved Digestion

This green contains a considerable amount of dietary fiber. Therefore, the breaking down of food particles and absorption of protein or fat gets faster.

Parsley can solve constipation issues and restore healthy bowel movement.

5. Less Stress & Faster Healing

Parsley is rich in vitamins A and C and antioxidants. Thus, any injury heals quicker due to the faster tissue growth. Apparently, the antioxidants also help the birds stay stress-free and relaxed.

How to Offer Parsley to Budgies?

If you have a home garden, you can grow parsley there. This herb will thrive even with zero care. Do not use any chemicals or pesticides in the perimeter of the parsley. If you have to, then go with the organic fertilizers. Parsley grown following this natural technique is the healthiest for the budgerigars. 

Don’t worry if you have no home garden. Buy organic parsley from your nearest store. 

Parsley has an unusual taste. Therefore, the budgies might not accept this herb at the first bite. I have introduced parsley to my budgies in a little portion. Once they got accustomed to the flavor, I increased the quantity. 

Here is a thing, you can not feed the budgies parsley every day. Ideally, offering the leaves twice or thrice a week is considered healthy. Make sure the green only makes 10 to 15% of the entire meal. 

Some budgies love parsley so much that they will beg you for more. Do not take pity on the birds. Save the greens for the next meal. Similarly, do not force the birds to eat parsley if they do not like the green taste.

How to Prepare Parsley for Budgies?

I usually chop the leaves into small pieces before offering them to my budgies. Unlike coriander, parsley stems are not dangerous. So, cutting them into small pieces is recommended.

Budgerigars can consume both raw and dried parsley. Many owners offer their birds cooked and even steamed parsley without any spice.

Even though budgies are fans of seeds, but parsley seeds are never healthy for pets.

I never offer parsley as a separate diet for the budgies. Instead, I mix the herb with other veggies and fruits. Yes, it’s more like a dressing. This way, the birds never refuse to eat this green.

Risks Involved in Offering Parsley to Your Budgies

Overfeeding of parsley can lead to health complexities in budgies. Common risks associated with parsley are,

• Hypervitaminosis A (known as Vitamin A toxicity)
• Blood thinning
• Digestion issues
• Kidney stones
• Bone deformities

To avoid any unwanted circumstances, take the following precautions,

• The safe threshold of parsley in a budgie’s meal is 15%. Offer the bird this herb only 2-3 times a week.
• Do not feed the birds old or rotten parsley.
• Eliminate parsley from the diet if your budgie has health complications.

What Are Some Alternatives to Parsley for Budgies?

Parsley includes high oxalate, which decreases calcium absorption, reducing bone density. In addition, the greens can cause other complexities, too.

Look at the healthier alternatives to parsley available for your budgies,

1. Basil
2. Fennel
3. Lavender
4. Coriander
5. Zucchini
6. Swedish chard
7. Lettuce
8. Cauliflower
9. Kale
10. Carrot, etc.

Remember that, do not overfeed the budgies even if you have added alternative veggies to the diet.

You’ve finally reached the end of the article.

Lastly, I want to say that, budgies can eat parsley, but only in moderate quantities. This herb can promote sound health and longevity when offered in small portions.