Parrots eat seeds from many species of trees, and some of these are grown for ornamental purposes outside their native country. Among the seeds they eat that might be available are those of the Jacaranda tree (Jacaranda acutifolia), the kapok or cotton tree (Ceiba pentandra) and various species of Tabebuia – all of which I have seen in the Arboretum and Botanical Garden in Los Angeles.

In Central America, the caribaea subspecies of the Yellow-naped Amazon from the Bay Islands, off the coast of Honduras, exists on the seed of the Caribbean pine (Pinus caribaea) for much of the year. Scarlet Macaws also eat these seeds. An analysis of unripe seed of the pine showed that it has a high protein content, 26%, and a similar fat content. A species that exists primarily on pine nuts is the Thick-billed Parrot from Mexico.

Captive birds would become severely obese if fed primarily on these pine nuts, because they cannot get enough exercise to burn off the energy they contain. However, most of us can collect pine cones to offer occasionally, as a toy and as food. In Argentina and Chile, the Austral Conure eats the nuts of the monkey puzzle or Chile pine (Araucaria araucana). In Brazil the Maroon-bellied Conure and the Vinaceous Amazon also feed on Araucaria nuts, probably Araucaria angustifolia which is unfortunately now an endangered species. In the Caribbean region, parrots such as the Cuban and Bahama Amazons also eat the seeds of this pine tree.

 

Some parrots eat young leaves from certain trees, but countless species eat flowers – a fact that is not always realised. Many of us grow flowers that our parrots would enjoy eating, or just destroying. Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosasinensis) are a good example, also nasturtium (Trapaeolum majus) and carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus). The blossoms from many vines, such as passionflower and honeysuckle, could also be offered, along with the blossom from elder (Sambucus canadensis) and lilac (Syringa vulgaris).

Scarlet Macaws have been observed feeding on bark, flowers and leaves of passionflower (Forbes, D., 2005, The reintroduction of Scarlet Macaws in Punta Banco, Costa Rica, unpubl. report). In one study in Brazil, it was found that flowers formed 10% of the diet of the Green-cheeked Conure, especially the nectar from the Tabebuia impetiginosa. A widely-grown tropical tree with beautiful blooms is the coral tree (Erythrina). Many parrots feed on its flowers, and Green-winged Macaws are known to eat its leaves. In California, Red-crowned (Green-cheeked) Amazons also forage on its blossoms.

In Brazil, Pyrrhura conures feed on the catkins of Cecropia trees. I am sure that many of the smaller parrots, especially those that take pollen, would appreciate being given catkins from willow trees. Pollen is a very nutritious food containing many different vitamins, minerals and enzymes and up to 18 different amino acids.

Among the seeds eaten by Scarlet Macaws are those of the tropical or beach almond (Terminalia cattapa), often in the green stage. Many parrots eat unripe nuts and fruits when they are not attractive to other animals and taste quite bitter. In this way they can utilise a fruit crop before other animals can do so. This might be why they and other parrots consume clay at collpas (clay licks). It is believed that the clay binds the toxins and neutralises them. It is known, for example, that bitter almonds contain toxic prussic acid – but I do not know whether the tropical or beach almond is bitter.

In some localities, Scarlet Macaws feed on flowers, leaves and bark when more favoured foods are not available. Few captive macaws receive plentiful and regular supplies of fresh-cut branches from willow or fruit trees. Tree bark appears to contain elements that are important or nutritious. It is readily eaten or destroyed by nearly all parrots, who tear at the bark as soon as the branches are offered. In the wild, Severe Macaws, for example, have been seen to eat the bark of the cotton tree (Ceiba pentrandra).

In contrast to the macaw species that take a wide variety of items, are those that feed primarily on the fruits and nuts of palm trees, such as Hyacinthine, Blue-throated and Red-bellied Macaws. Hyacinth Macaws do not eat only palm nuts that they remove directly from the tree. In Brazil much of their habitat is grazed by cattle. These animals swallow the palm fruits but cannot digest the hard nuts which are excreted in the cow dung. The macaws fly down and eat the nuts that have been softened by the digestive process. When macaws are feeding they test some nuts and drop them immediately so they fall to the ground. They also seek recently burnt ground where fallen nuts are split open by fire.