Home » Can Parrots Eat Bananas (And Their Peels)?
can parrots eat bananas?

Can Parrots Eat Bananas (And Their Peels)?

Last Updated on March 7, 2024 by Carrie Stephens

Yes, parrots can eat bananas. Tropical fruits, like bananas, are good for parrots because they contain fiber, vitamins A, B6, and C, and minerals like potassium, magnesium, and antioxidants.

Some parrots like unpeeled bananas because they enjoy the rubbery texture of the peel. If so, wash the skin thoroughly to remove any surface-level pesticides and contaminants.

How Bananas Benefit Parrots

A few slices of banana (Musa) every couple of days may increase a parrot’s energy levels, improve eye health, strengthen the immune system, and reduce the long-term effects of aging.

Bananas contain nutrients such as:

Fiber

A medium-sized banana contains 3 grams of fiber per 100 grams. The 0.4 grams of soluble fiber slows down the digestive process, increasing feelings of satiety. It also reduces cholesterol levels.

The insoluble fiber (roughage) bulks up the stool, making it easier for a parrot to poop. Resistant starches are molecules the body can’t digest, so blood sugar levels are less likely to spike.

are bananas good for parrots?

Vitamin B6

A parrot’s body can’t create vitamin B6 (pyridoxine).

It’s a water-soluble vitamin that aids the metabolism of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, converting them into energy. It also assists in the creation of red blood cells and neurotransmitters.

One medium-sized banana provides a parrot with 1.3 to 1.5 milligrams of vitamin B6. This reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and certain cancers.

If a parrot is feeling low, vitamin B6 consumption can be beneficial. Pyridoxine creates neurotransmitters that control and regulate emotions.

Vitamin C

There is 8.7 mg of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) per 100 grams of banana. The benefits include:

  • Immune system booster.
  • Iron absorption.
  • Wound healing.
  • Reactive oxidative species (ROS) and free radical removal.
  • Less inflammation, reducing the risk of diseases.
  • Improves skin health (collagen production).

Vitamin C can be produced by metabolizing glucose in the liver, so it’s non-essential for birds.

Vitamin A

A parrot that doesn’t get sufficient vitamin A is at risk of hypovitaminosis A.

A banana contains vitamin A, which is good for eye health, preventing cataracts and conjunctivitis.

Vitamin A assists with cell growth and regulation of the immune system. It’s also essential for preventing some respiratory problems, polyuria, polydipsia, and low feather quality.

Other fruits high in vitamin A include papaya, nectarines, and tangerines.

Potassium

Potassium is an electrolyte that aids in regulating heart function, preventing strokes, and managing blood pressure. According to Harvard, one medium-ripe banana contains 450 mg of potassium.

Other sources of potassium include oranges, apricots, and grapefruit.

Magnesium

There are 27 mg of magnesium in 100 grams of banana. Magnesium is essential for converting food into usable energy and creating protein from amino acids.

Other sources of magnesium include kiwis, blackberries, and raspberries.

Tyrosine

Bananas contain some tyrosine. This amino acid enables the brain to produce norepinephrine, which benefits a parrot’s memory, alertness, and mental focus.

Alternative sources of tyrosine include jackfruit, goji berries, and elderberries.

Banana Peel

Banana peels are safe for parrots. Most of the nutrients are condensed in the peel. Humans dislike the rubbery texture and bitter taste, but parrots may enjoy it.

Banana peels have high levels of antioxidants, including carotenoids and polyphenols. To maximize the antioxidant levels, feed them unripened peels.

Banana Leaves

Banana leaves can be served to parrots raw or cooked. Before eating them, a parrot will enjoy using banana leaves as a toy and source of fun.

You can find frozen or fresh banana leaves at most Asian markets. Just cut the leaves to size and give them to a parrot to play with as a toy.

Banana Chips

A banana’s meat is chopped up, frozen, dried, or dehydrated before consumption as bite-sized chips.

Some store-bought banana chips contain added sugar or oil. This makes the chips tastier and more appealing but adds excess fat and calories.

Only feed a parrot organic banana chips that have no added ingredients. The best approach is to make banana chips by chopping fresh bananas into small chunks and freezing them.

Banana Bread

Most kinds of banana bread are unsafe because traditional recipes include:

  • Salt.
  • Sugar.
  • Oil.

This can disrupt the digestive system, lead to weight gain, and affect heart health.

Banana bread is a fattening treat that should be fed to parrots in moderation. The added flour will increase the calories the parrot won’t expend.

feeding parrots bananas

How To Feed Parrots Bananas

Fresh, cooked, or frozen bananas are a healthy treat. Even still, parrots can be picky about new foods.

Organic Bananas

Whether feeding a parrot peeled bananas or their skins, choose organic produce.

Bananas are sprayed with pesticides to kill bugs and pests. You can find organic bananas at farmers’ markets or health food stores. Even organic types should be washed before serving.

Whole Bananas

Parrots take bananas off trees and rip them apart with their beaks, so they’ll likely prefer raw bananas. Feeding some banana to a parrot with the peel on will be a good source of nutrients.

Cooked Banana

A parrot may prefer crunchy food over rubbery textures. In that case, you can:

  1. Slice the banana meat into chips.
  2. Cut up the peel into strips.
  3. Place both in the oven for 15-20 minutes.
  4. Let them cool and offer them to the parrot.

This will harden the texture of the banana, sharpen its flavor, and strengthen the fruity aroma. It’ll remove its water content, so it’ll no longer be a source of hydration during the warmer months.

Boil The Peels

A parrot may dislike the rubbery texture of the skin. You can soften it with boiling water until it grows accustomed to this new food. Don’t add salt or oil.

Amount of Banana Parrots Can Eat

Every 100 g of banana contains 12 g of naturally occurring sugars (fructose, glucose, sucrose, and maltose). Bananas are a sugary fruit and should be fed to parrots sparingly.

If you feed a parrot green or unripened banana, it’ll be ingesting resistant starch. This won’t increase the parrot’s blood sugar levels, giving it more balanced, sustainable energy.

A small unpeeled banana once a week (ripe or unripe) can give a parrot a health boost.