Can Lovebirds Eat Mango – Many species of birds and exotic feathered pets are native to tropical areas with many fruits and foods growing around the forest. You can also say the same for lovebirds and mango. Even though the two are found in the same area, can lovebirds eat mango? This question surface quite a lot since some food can be toxic for your pet.
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Is Mango Good For You Lovebirds?
Before answering the question, you should understand that the natural diet of the feathered friend should consist of seeds, grain, berries, other fruits, and veggies. Your lovebird can and will enjoy the fruit as it is served. However, it can make an imbalance in nutrition that leads to some health issues. That is why there is a rule of thumb of 10-15% of the fruit on the lovebird’s diet.
So, how about mango? Mango fruit as your lovebird’s diet will fall into the same categories of apple seeds and pits. The category indicates that the fruit, in general, is safe and can be a healthy consumption for the bird in every species. However, this kind of fruit also contains seeds and pits which should not be offered to the birds.
These seeds and pits are known to be poisonous for birds due to the small cardiac-toxic cyanide compound. So, can lovebirds eat mango? Yes, they can, but after you remove the seeds from mango. You will only need to serve it in small amounts, fresh, cut in smaller bits, and free from its seed. You can cut only the meat and give it along with the bird’s daily diet.
Consideration
Before you serve the tasty tropical fruit to your lovebird, try to understand which part is good, safe, and beneficial. In general, the meat is the main part you can serve, but you can also serve the mango skin. It is a bit of a surprise that the skin is edible and supplies antioxidants and fiber. In a way, these compounds will be good for your birds.
One thing that you need to consider is hygiene. The mango skin can contain a mix of organic chemical during its plantation or growing process. It is generally not toxic, but your bird can get some allergic reaction to it. So, peel your eyes open to see the lovebird’s feedback after serving the skin. If something is wrong, stop it.
Can lovebirds eat mango seed? As said in the previous point, the seed is toxic for your bird pet. So, the answer is absolutely no. Highlight that mango is a stone fruit that comprises amygdalin. For a human, the toxic amount will not show too much effect. But, when your lovebird eats it, the seed will turn into hydrogen cyanide which is lethal for animals.
There is also some speculation that says you can give the seed for birds as long as you cook the mango. Cyanide will not survive heat, so it will go after roasting the mango seeds. While you can give mango cooked and free from cyanide, it is better to avoid the practice. Just be sure to remove the stone seed before serving it to your lovebird.
So, is it means you can serve processed food? Every fruit is better in its raw states, including mango. However, you can also serve the freeze-dried mango for the feathered pet. Can lovebirds eat mango dried? Yes, but check the ingredient list of a store-bought dried mango. Avoid products with sulfides, additives, and preservatives in the food.
Preparation
Another consideration is preparation. In general, not all birds can process mango since it can appear stringy. You can prepare the serving by washing the food, removing the stone seed, and cutting the meat into smaller pieces. Sometimes, you can offer it as a third, half, or quarter size. It is okay to give only the meat or along with the skin, so the bird can tear the fruit.
Sometimes it is easier for your bird to eat skinned mango and cut up chunks. It will provide the cleanest, easiest, and better method to serve the fruit. Your lovebird will eat it along with the other staple diet and avoid favoritism. But again, remember to give it occasionally to avoid any kind of health issues.
The Benefits of Mango for Lovebird
1. Vitamin K For Bones Health
The tasty fruity and juicy mango can help give a lot of nutrients to your loved bird. Vitamin K is one of them. Since the answer of Can lovebirds eat mango seed? If yes, your bird can get an ample amount of vitamin K. Vitamin K helps strengthen the lovebird’s bones, mortality, fix scars, and is also good for eggshells.
2. Vitamin A For Healthy Immune System
Another nutrition found in mango is vitamin A. In general, 100 grams of mango can provide around 54mcg of vitamin A. For a lovebird, it can help support and aid the immune system. Thus, your love bird can avoid problematic situations such as nasal discharge, malnutrition, bacterial infection, swelling, and polyuria.
3. Vitamin C For Overall Health
Like many other vitamins, Vit C will help increase the immune system, heal, and prevent respiratory issues. In general, a raw mango will help reduce the risk of stroke due to its ability to regulate blood sugar. Not to mention the lack of ability of the bird to produce vitamin C, which is why it is vital for your lovebird.
4. Folate For Reproductive Tract
One of the nutrition compounds that explains why the answer Can lovebirds eat mango seed is yes, is the folate. The tropical fruit can be the ideal source of folate that boosts forming of uric acid. When the lovebird can produce uric acid, it can avoid health issues such as anemia and bad immunity.
All in all, lovebirds and many other regular birds can eat mango but with consideration of amount and proper preparation. You should remove the pit and cut the fruit into smaller parts. It will help the bird eat the mango without any problem and digest it easily. You also need to give it as an occasional treat to balance the bird’s daily nutrition intake.