Amazons and sunflower seeds

[mgood01]

Trying out new foods for my zon. She is on a mainly pellet diet, but I try to vary it as much as possible. She's hates vegetables, but loves fruit, and peanut butter a little too much (we use it to bribe her, but I'm trying to cut back).

Two questions: I keep reading these panicked rules about not giving birds sunflower seeds. Is this just a concern about obesity, or is there something more to it?

Also, she goes through her pellet mix, and picks out every one of the dried green peas she can find. She LOVES these things, but I can't seem to find them anywhere just on their own. Anyone else found these things? If you have a picky Amazon, this just might be the ticket for treats.

[Casa Amazona]

I've never met a 'zon who didn't love peas, although I've never given dried ones.

As to sunflower seeds, there's probably nothing wrong with feeding a few of them as part of an otherwise healthy diet. Amazons can be prone to fat and (my understanding) fatty liver disease, so fatty foods aren't the best choice for them. One thing I've noticed is that at least one of my male 'zons is much more aggressive when he's fed sunflower seeds. This is by no means scientific research, just an observation about one bird. I'm all for bribery where 'zons are concerned.

[kp_in_scott]

If your 'zon likes peas, try buying the frozen peas in the refrigerator section. You can offer them frozen(some birds like ice and such) or you can just run hot water over and strain them. It would be a good way of adding veggies. Also, I have seen something called "Just peas" also "Just corn" and others I can't recall off the top of my head. Try doing a search on the Foster Smith web site.(forgive me I don't have the URL). Also trywww.greatcompanions.com

They have something called dehydrated sweet peas that your 'zon may like.

[Rue]

...my GC loves sunflowers seeds...she's absolutely Gaga over them...but I only give them as a treat...maybe every 2-3 days and then only 5-10 ...

...I should see if she'll eat dehydrated peas though...sounds like a good idea...

[corbettsmom]

My amazon loves peas too and also raw string beans - absolutely loves string beans. He opens them and eats the beans only. It's amazing watching him, it's like he had the perfect knife and sliced them down the center without breaking the bean. I snap them in half or smaller because he drops them. Give it a try.

My Corbett loves sunflower seeds too...

[StellaBlue]

If your bird likes peas, you might try wasabi peas. These are available in gourmet grocers (and in some areas, perhaps more generally), in the snack food areas. They are dried peas with a wasabi (Japanese horseradish) coating - spicy spicy! I love them, and I am generally ok with sharing them with my birdies (TAGs and macaws) who think they are really tasty. My TAGs especially like anything spicy-hot, so these are ****yummy****. Al, my greenwing macaw dubs them with his highest honor - particularly good foods, in Al's world, are called "cracker".

Regards,
Rita