Nuts - Raw or cooked??

[StillSearching]

A cockatoo owner told me that I should only feed my bird raw nuts; cooked nuts are bad for birds....I've read on a couple of parrot sites that raw peanuts are toxic....I've seen bird food that list "raw peanuts" as an ingredient. Ack! I know salted nuts are bad, but should I be looking for raw or roasted nuts?

I think my sun conure is a little on the small side (was 99g last week, now he's 97g @ 4 months old). He's a really a picky eater. Doesn't like the Zupreem fruit blend. I can't tell if he's eating or just shredding the birdie bread I made. Has rejected yams, corn, banana, grapes, green beans, scrambled eggs, black beans, wheat bread.....

[Parapetenia]

If I'm wrong, I'm sure someone will speak up. I believe the problem with raw peanuts is the potential for Aspergillus(a fungus) not the peanut itself. Tree nuts are not known for this. Personally, I go to the store and buy human-grade unsalted roasted peanuts. These should be safe.

[KimM]

What about other types of nuts i.e. pistachios, almonds, etc?

[huntress]

Raw peanuts of non human quality often carry a mold fungus on the shell that can be dangerous. Raw nuts are always best. Peanuts are not nuts - they are in fact a legume (or root). Parrots would not eat peanuts in the wild anyway. I feed only human grade packaged raw peanuts as a treat and don't worry about shelled peanuts in packaged bird food (theoretically considered safe) I don't feed any peanuts that don't look clean and bright. All other TREE nuts are considered safe and Macaws need some of these in their diet but remember balance and moderation.
tree nuts in the shell are in fact a great foraging food. My Mac can crack anything even the Brazils whereas My greys can only do Almonds or smaller.
An occasional roasted UNSALTED nut is OK as well but lack most nutritional value and just all the fat,lol. Certain birds who tend to have fat problems like Amazons should be limited.
I always say try to replicate as close as possible to what your species would eat in the wild.