Author: Peter Wilson, Avian Vet
Parrots are flock animals and in the wild, young birds learn what is good to eat by following the flock. In captivity, hand-raised birds identify with humans as their "flock". This is why your birds will want to eat what you are eating, whether it is healthy or not. It is your responsibility, as a bird owner, to teach your birds how to eat healthily. The majority of health problems in pet birds originate from dietary excesses (fats) and deficiencies (vitamins and minerals).
Lorikeets have a brush tongue that is specifically adapted for eating nectar from flowering plants. In captivity, they also need to consume a nectar based diet. They should never be fed seed because
Seed based diet causes permanent loss of the 'brush tongue' and the birds can never eat their normal, liquid diet
Seed based diets cause obesity related ill-health problems and death.
Lorikeets should be fed a combination of fruit, blossoms and a well-balanced nutritionally sound, nectar mix. Many 'pet store' brands of Lori Wet or Dry are no more than sweetened flour - rice flour and glucose and are vitamin/mineral deficient.
Wombaroo Lorikeet & Honeyeater Mix
We use Wombaroo Lorikeet and Honeyeater mix. This can be made up daily (three level teaspoons of Wombaroo powder to 50mls of warm water) or can be mixed in batches and frozen in ice cube trays.
Ensure Mix
The Wombaroo diet can alternated with a nectar mix based on Ensure. Ensure is a complete human, invalid food and can provide the basis for a well-balanced nectar mix for your bird, containing essential vitamins and minerals. Ensure is available over the counter from the local Pharmacy.
Mix one part honey to nine parts of warm water and one scoop of Ensure.
Blossoms and flowering plants
Fresh Fruit
A variety of fresh, seasonal fruit should also be made available - apple melon, grapes, citrus, pawpaw, banana, mango, lychee, stone fruit etc.
Vegetables
Some vegetables can be offered, however, the lorikeets will tend to 'pigout' on sweet corn, so don't overdo it.
Toxic Foods
Avocado and chocolate
Unhealthy Foods
Never feed fatty, salty, processed human foods. Never feed dairy products - butter, cheese, milk etc. Never feed tea, coffee, alcohol. Birds don't have the metabolism to cope with these foods. Always be guided by what they would eat in the wild.
Bathing
Always provide adequate bathing opportunities for your lorikeet. They love to swim and bathe (and make a great mess when they do so). This keeps their 'waxy' feathers clean and protective.