I feed my cockatoo almost every fruit that I eat. But when I learned not all fruits are good for cockatoos and that some fruits are good only if fed in small proportions, I always check before feeding any fruit to my cockatoo. So I was recently wondering if cockatoos can eat bananas and here is what I found:
Yes, cockatoos can eat bananas and their peels. Bananas are good for the growth and metabolism of cockatoos.
Can Baby Cockatoos Eat Bananas?
Yes, baby cockatoos can also eat bananas. In fact, mashed bananas are really good for the growth of baby cockatoos. However, it is necessary to feed baby cockatoos no more than 1/4th banana twice a week.
Also, read about other foods cockatoo babies can eat: What do Baby Cockatoos eat?
To learn about how to feed a baby cockatoo, read: How To Feed A Baby Cockatoo?
Can Cockatoos Also Eat Peel and Leaves of Banana?
Cockatoos love leaves and peels of many fruits just as much as the fruit.
Peels
Like bananas, their peels are also enriched with high nutritional values. However, banana peels are not as tasty as bananas and this is why cockatoos do not like banana peels.
Moreover, banana peels are sprayed with different fungicides and pesticides which are toxic to cockatoos.
Leaves
Banana leaves are safe for cockatoos. They can be served raw or cooked. parrots love green leafy foods like banana leaves.
Benefits of Bananas in Cockatoos Diet:
Bananas are enriched with essential nutrients like Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Vitamin A, Potassium, Magnesium, and antioxidants, which are essential for cockatoos. Eating bananas have certain benefits like:
- Reduce the effects of aging.
- Improves eyesight.
- Strengthen the immune system of cockatoos.
- Increases energy level, which makes cockatoos active and sharp.
- Reduce digestive disorders, and removes toxins from the body.
How to Serve Banana to Cockatoos?
Bananas can be served full, sliced or mashed; cockatoos like them in all forms. The best way to serve banana to cockatoos is removing their peels and slicing it. You can also feed banana peels but makes sure you thoroughly wash them before feeding.
Bananas are healthy but do not feed them in excess. Feed your cockatoo only half banana twice a week.
What Other Fruits Cockatoos Can Eat?
Besides bananas, cockatoos eat many other fruits like:
- Blueberries
- Grapes
- Apples
- Cucumber
- Strawberries
- Mangoes
- Oranges
- Pineapples
- Pomegranate
- Watermelons
- Tomatoes
- Kiwi
- Pumpkin
- Cantaloupe
- Zucchini
Conclusion:
Bananas are healthy for cockatoos. They improve digestion and growth in cockatoos. Banana peels are also edible but cockatoos dislike them.
To learn more about cockatoo diet, read: What Do Cockatoos Eat?
Also read: What Not To Feed A Cockatoo?
