Birdie Bread for Parrots

Birdie bread is a cornbread-style loaf packed with vegetables and egg. Birds that refuse fresh vegetables will often eat them baked into bread.

Use a plain cornmeal and skip boxed muffin mixes, which have sugar and salt.

Why your bird will love this

• Hides vegetables picky birds refuse
• No sugar or salt
• Freezes in slices

Ingredient notes

• Cornmeal Safe

  Used in suet cakes and birdie bread.

• Eggs, with crushed shells Safe

  Shells add calcium; bake them first to sterilize.

  Fully cooked, shell can be dried and crushed for calcium.

• Sweet potato, mashed Safe

  Cooked and mashed or diced, for parrots.

• Chopped vegetables (peppers, carrots, kale) Safe

  Chopped, in rotation.

See every ingredient in the safety guide

How to make Birdie Bread for Parrots

Birdie Bread for Parrots takes about 45 minutes from start to finish and makes 1 loaf. It is an easy recipe. You will need a loaf pan. Read through every step once before you start, and set out all the ingredients so nothing is missed.

Ingredients and why they are here

You need 6 ingredients. Each one is checked against the ingredient safety guide for birds.

• 1 1/2 cups cornmeal: Used in suet cakes and birdie bread.
• 3 large eggs, with crushed shells: Shells add calcium; bake them first to sterilize. Fully cooked, shell can be dried and crushed for calcium.
• 1 cup sweet potato, mashed: Cooked and mashed or diced, for parrots.
• 1 cup chopped vegetables (peppers, carrots, kale): Chopped, in rotation.
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 cup water

Step-by-step instructions

1. Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a loaf pan.
2. Mix the cornmeal and baking powder.
3. Whisk the eggs, sweet potato and water, then stir into the cornmeal.
4. Fold in the vegetables and spread in the pan.
5. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow about 30 minutes.
6. Cool, slice and freeze.

Tips for success

• Bake eggshells at 250°F for 10 minutes before crushing.
• Add pepper seeds or a spoon of chop for extra color.
• Freeze in cubes and thaw one each morning.

How to store it

Let everything cool completely before you pack it away, since trapped steam causes sogginess and mold. Keep it in the fridge for up to 4 days, or in the freezer for up to 2 months. If anything smells off or shows mold, throw it out.

How much to serve

A 1-inch cube a day for a medium parrot.

Why birds love it

Hides vegetables picky birds refuse. No sugar or salt. Freezes in slices.

Feeding tips for birds

Birds are sensitive to toxins, so keep avocado, salt, chocolate, onion and caffeine well away from their food. Wash feeders and dishes often to prevent mold and bacteria. For wild birds, place feeders where you can see them but near cover so birds can escape from predators. For pet birds, introduce new foods next to familiar ones and be patient.

Make it ahead

To save time, measure and prep the ingredients the day before and keep them covered in the fridge. Label containers with the recipe name and date so you always know what to use first. Most of the work in this recipe is hands-off, so it fits easily around a busy week.

What to watch for

For pet birds, changes in droppings, fluffed-up feathers, or sitting on the cage floor are warning signs that need an avian vet. For wild birds, clean feeders every few days and take them down for two weeks if you see sick birds, so disease does not spread.

Shopping list

Before you start, check that you have cornmeal, eggs, sweet potato, chopped vegetables (peppers, baking powder and water. Most of it is at the grocery store; hay, pellets, feed and supplements are at pet or feed stores. Buy fresh produce close to the day you cook.

Safety notes

Never add onion, garlic, chocolate, grapes, raisins, xylitol or salt, and check the safety guide before trying a new ingredient with your bird. This recipe is general information, not veterinary advice.

Frequently asked questions

Can parrots eat bread?

Plain homemade birdie bread is fine. Store bread has salt and sugar.

Can budgies have birdie bread?

Yes, in tiny crumbles.

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