Worst thing you've seen someone feed their parrot?

[paper_lantern]

Either out of ignorance on parrot nutrition or just because they were neglectful and uncaring, what is the worst thing you've seen someone feed their parrot?

Last night I was perusing one of the many parrot groups I'm a part of. Some man posted pictures of his Africa Grey eating raw steak and claims that he allows them raw red meat and bacon often because "they eat rotting carrion on the wild." When members told him to reconsider giving raw meat and made suggestions the man completely freaked out and started insulting us. He ended up leaving the group.

I've also seen people allowing their parrot candy (lollipops, candy canes, gummy bears, etc).

[Pajarita]

I don't know who started the myth that grays eat carrion in the wild. Nobody has ever been able to produce a single video, picture or documented and verifiable report of this but it does the rounds in birdsites periodically despite the lack of proof, the fact that grays are classified as herbivores, that there is no way on this green earth that grays would have access to fresh carrion (what with hyenas, vultures, lions, etc all fighting for it) AND that very few animals can actually digest carrion successfully. It's a sad fact that people will believe whatever they choose to believe even if nothing supports their position.

I don't have to go far to answer this question: it was me! I used to feed my parrots fried chicken, hamburgers, French fries, white bread, etc.

[Wolf]

Now hold on a minute Kiki and Kookooloo love their French fries! Theirs and ours are baked in the oven with no salt although we do occasionally spice them up with cayenne and chili powder.

[liz]

I don't have to go far to answer this question: it was me! I used to feed my parrots fried chicken, hamburgers, French fries, white bread, etc.[/quote]

Wow have you grown up.

What I don't understand is they will eat it if they can get it. Rambo stole a piece of chicken from my mother. Myrtle got into the scrap dish before I could dump it and chewed on a chicken bone. (What is really funny is she knew she should not have it because she was sneaky.) I had to run her down when she took a piece of pepperoni from my sandwitch.

[TooLove]

Raw meat...that's a new one. Maybe it's because a lot of people think greys resemble vultures slightly...
MB usually gets to sample what I'm eating, and generally I eat pretty well but sometimes I splurge. So he gets junk occasionally. If we go to Starbucks he gets a puppachino (not the whole thing). He would be an absolute fatty if I let him..his personal favorites include ice cream, mashed potatoes, pasta, pizza, and buttered toast (and really only the buttered part). The worst thing people can feed their birds is seed mix (or better yet straight sunflower seeds and millet) long term causing all sorts of metabolic issues, fatty liver disease, problems secondary to obesity, and nutritional deficiencies. A balanced diet with a french fry or two occasionally won't hurt anyone.

[liz]

My daughter calls the pizza crust "pizza bones" because they hold it like a chicken bone.

I had to teach Myrtle "mine" to keep her out of my coffee, soup and etc.

[DanaandPod]

I was going to say that the worst was a big fatty steak...on another parrot forum that was on FB. It too was an african grey. And, I was the odd one out of the group to say that I didn't think meat was good for parrots! It was argued that in the wild they eat other living things...and argued that parrots need protein! I find it appauling when I see a parrot eating chicken...There is a woman on youtube that i used to watch a lot because I loved the interaction with her ring neck...but then she kept posting videos of him eating chicken and I refuse to watch anymore. That is like eating their own in my mind. As is, I just began eating meat again myself after a year of veganism though sparingly instead of my old typical American selfish ways of stuffing self with fried chicken. I must say, and this is further off topic...that I appreciate this forum because it lets me know that there are sincerely caring people regarding animals in this world. (unlike the large meat industries). Okay, enough said. No lectures, please.

[marie83]

Not a food but I've seen a video on youtube where thy were giving the bird alcohol
I always hoped that video was a set up where it was made to look like something it wasn't but it still sends out the wrong message regardless.

[TooLove]

Not a food but I've seen a video on youtube where thy were giving the bird alcohol
I always hoped that video was a set up where it was made to look like something it wasn't but it still sends out the wrong message regardless.

There is also one (I think it's a commercial for something) where a cockatoo is guzzling chocolate from a chocolate fountain. Definitely sends the wrong message!

[marie83]

Not a food but I've seen a video on youtube where thy were giving the bird alcohol
I always hoped that video was a set up where it was made to look like something it wasn't but it still sends out the wrong message regardless.

There is also one (I think it's a commercial for something) where a cockatoo is guzzling chocolate from a chocolate fountain. Definitely sends the wrong message!

There was someone on here ages ago who posted a picture of the same/similar thing I think the user was called Dorp or something like it.