Food safety
Can Parrots Eat Blueberries? Yes, and Fresh Is Best
Yes, parrots can eat blueberries, and they are one of the fruits the Merck Veterinary Manual specifically mentions for parrots. Merck notes that blueberries are commonly offered and generally accepted, that they contain fiber, vitamin K, vitamin C and flavonoids, and that fresh berries are better than thawed frozen ones. VCA Animal Hospitals advises washing all produce and keeping fruit to about 10 percent of a conure's daily intake. A few washed berries a few times a week suits most parrots.
By Matt GarnettUpdated November 13, 20263 min read4 sources
What Merck says about blueberries for parrots
The Merck Veterinary Manual's chapter on parrot nutrition notes that blueberries are commonly offered to parrots and generally accepted. It describes them as containing fiber, vitamin K, vitamin C and flavonoids, which is unusual detail for a single fruit in a nutrition reference.
Merck also recommends feeding fresh, not thawed, blueberries, because frozen berries lose some of their anthocyanin, the pigment behind the deep blue color. Thawed berries are not harmful, but fresh ones keep more of what makes them worthwhile.
Fruit is still a small part of the diet
VCA recommends pellets as about 75 to 80 percent of a conure's or cockatoo's diet, with vegetables and greens at 20 to 40 percent and fruit at about 10 percent, because fruit is high in water and natural sugar.
Merck adds that extra items should not disturb the nutritional balance of the diet, and that excessive dietary fat leads to obesity in sedentary pet birds. Blueberries are low in fat, which makes them one of the better fruit choices, but they still belong inside the fruit share.
How to serve blueberries to a parrot
Rinse the berries under running water just before serving. VCA says produce for parrots should be washed thoroughly to remove chemicals and bacteria. Pick out any soft, split or moldy berries.
Small parrots such as conures and caiques can have halved berries; larger parrots can hold whole ones in a foot. Serve them in a dish separate from pellets and water and remove leftovers after a couple of hours, as VCA advises. Expect purple droppings afterward.
Foraging for food keeps pet birds busy, so tuck a small piece into a foraging toy or clip it near a perch so it has to work for it.
How many blueberries for different parrots
VCA's guidance on portion size for parrots is a useful anchor: a small handful of food for a cockatoo equals a dinner plate for a person, and about a tablespoon of table food is plenty for a conure.
As a guide, three or four blueberries a few times a week suits a conure, and five to eight suits an African gray, Amazon or cockatoo. Scatter them in a foraging toy or among chopped vegetables to make them last longer.
Blueberry foods to avoid
Blueberry muffins, pancakes, pies and yogurt are processed or buttery, and VCA lists processed snacks and foods cooked with oil or butter among things to avoid. VCA also says dairy should be given only in moderation, since birds are lactose intolerant.
Never let a fruit salad that contains avocado near your parrot. VCA says avocado and onions are potentially toxic to all parrots, and Lafeber explains that avocado contains persin, reported to be a cardiac toxin to birds.
When to call an avian vet
Purple-tinged droppings after blueberries are expected and harmless. Call an avian veterinarian if your parrot has diarrhea that persists, stops eating, fluffs up and sits on the cage floor, or seems weak.
If your parrot ate avocado, chocolate or another toxic food, call your vet straight away. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 and Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 can also advise; a fee may apply.
This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.
Common questions
Can parrots eat frozen blueberries?
Thawed blueberries are not harmful, but Merck recommends fresh rather than thawed because frozen berries lose some of their anthocyanin pigment. Bring thawed berries to room temperature first.
Can African gray parrots eat blueberries?
Yes. Five to eight washed blueberries a few times a week is a reasonable treat for an African gray, alongside a pellet-based diet with plenty of vegetables.
Why are my parrot's droppings purple after blueberries?
Blueberry pigment colors droppings, so purple or blue tints after a serving are normal. Call an avian vet if your parrot also has persistent diarrhea or seems unwell.
Can parrots eat blueberries every day?
A few berries most days is not harmful, since they are low in fat, but fruit is still high in sugar. VCA keeps fruit to about 10 percent of a conure's daily intake.
Can conures eat blueberries?
Yes. Halve three or four washed berries and offer them a few times a week. Remove leftovers after a couple of hours so they do not spoil in the cage.
Sources we checked
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell or injured, contact your veterinarian.
