Oatmeal?

[LJ4RockPebbler]

I'm reading different things about feeding oatmeal to parrots so I figured maybe someone here can help clarify things for me. Is organic instant oatmeal ok to feed a parrot and if so, should I serve it dry maybe mixed with his veggies or should I prepare it with water? Oh, one more thing, is organic whole grain rice and or organic whole grain pasta ok to give as a staple in his diet....I read that rice and or pasta should be limited and not given every day. Thanks

[Wolf]

Well to tell you the truth I don't think that any of the items that you mentioned will hurt your bird. I feed my birds a base diet of gloop, which is a cooked mixture of white beans, lentils, whole grains, and vegetables. This mixture does not use oatmeal but does use steel cut oats and it contains rice. mine uses wild rice. Many bird seed mixes contain pasta. Most birds don't seem to like the consistency of oatmeal especially the instant oatmeal. Pajarita can supply better information on this than I can.
So we haven't heard from you in a while. How is your bird? Can we see any pictures? Would love to hear about him and how things are going.

[Harpmaker]

Quaker has started selling instant steel-cut oats. I saw some last week in the same type of box they use for their flavored instant oatmeal. I don't know how parrots like it-maybe I'll get some to try out.

[Pajarita]

Yes, they are, Harp, and I know because I got a box for myself (it's what I eat for breakfast) and it's very good!

Oatmeal is OK as long as it has NO sugar, NO additives, NO preservatives, etc. Steel-cut oats are better than oatmeal and oat groats are best (I don't like the 'natural' oats -groats are dehulled- because there is too much chaff in them and it comes out when you cook them forming like a layer on top of the water that you would need to skim). Personally, I never feed my birds any oatmeal but that's because my birds do not like mushy things. They like rough texture so they can kind of pick and choose what they like best first although they end up eating the whole thing. I also think that a mush is not really what you would call a 'natural' thing for a parrot to eat... I think that whole grains, pieces and chunks are much better from a foraging point of view. I mean, pellets and chop is like astronaut food, it has all the nutrients the body needs and you can live on it but it's no fun at all to eat.

[LJ4RockPebbler]

Hello Wolf and thank you guys for all your help. It's so comforting knowing that I can get the advice I need when I really need it. My boy Midori will be celebrating his 1st birthday on March 16th. We named him Midori cause of his beautiful green color, Midori meaning green in Japanese. We later found out through dna testing that he's a boy so the green will be turning to yellow predominately but the name will have to stay regardless LoL. He's our first parrot and we absolutely love him. Parajita once mentioned how these rock pebblers are avian birds and not cuddly birds and I understand now what was meant by that but this guy just wants to be around my wife, son or I, kissing us or letting us know that he "loves us." all the time. He only flies away when foods involved like the greedy little pig he is...lol. He has a good vocabulary of words and whistles his Adams family theme to us as well. Sometimes we wonder where he's been all our lives...lol. I've tried attaching a picture, I don't know if I went about it the right way. Anyway, thank you guys again....be well.

[LJ4RockPebbler]

Here's one more picture.

[Wolf]

Got both pictures, the ball shows up as nearly the same color as your bird. He is a beautiful young fellow. Yes they are normally an aviary bird as opposed to a companion bird, but I am glad that you are happy with him, I am sure that he keeps you busy as well as entertained. Thank you so much for the pictures.

[LJ4RockPebbler]

Thank you

[Wolf]

When I go to the World Parrot Trust's website, to look up basic information about any species of parrot, I have noted that there appears to be a sizeable percentage of the birds that are classified as aviary birds that people have as companion birds. They have a wonderful encyclopedia of parrots there, in case you are interested.
It appears to me that their classification of aviary or companion bird is based on how timid the species is in general and on how much space the bird requires in its cage. Although the budgie is listed as an excellent pet bird it is also actually listed as an aviary type bird. Although there doesn't appear to me to be any clear cut definition for the designation it seems to be based on the fact that budgies are timid birds and they really need the large area for flight as they prefer to fly from one spot to the other in their cages. It may also have something to due with how social they are as some birds do well with just a couple of them others seem to need a larger quantity of them together to be happy.
They say that the regent is friendly, quiet and non aggressive, but although it is a bit shy that it accepts it caregiver pretty quickly. As you already know, I don't have any birds of this species, so I am writing all of this hopeing that you will take the time to share your experiences with your bird with me. I am fascinated with the birds that I have and would like to learn more about your species of parrot. Oh keep careful watch on anything that could be an eye irritant or damage its feet as the World Parrot Trust says that they are prone to eye and foot infections.

[Pajarita]

Beautiful little boy!

Wolf, I think that the classifications of good pet or good aviary bird come from the degree of need a certain species has for others of their own type. Budgies might do OK alone with a person but nobody can deny that they are HUGELY much happier when living with other budgies, thus: aviary birds. People use aviary birds as single pets, like the tiel, the lovie, the plet, etc. but then people do all kinds of things that benefit themselves and not the bird... The other consideration is sexual maturity, a baby and a juvenile will stick like glue to the parental figure but once they become adults, things change and, as they get older, they change even more so although a young aviary bird might be OK with been by themselves living with humans, they will not be really happy when an adult. Mind you, this is not anything I've read anywhere so, in reality, I don't know if that's the criteria they use, it's my own take on it.