Just like us humans, birds also like to eat fruits and vegetables. The way they eat them might be different from us but they enjoy them nonetheless. One such fruit is watermelon; almost all birds like to eat them.
Do birds eat watermelon?
Birds love to eat watermelon. It is a great source of nutrition for birds, especially those living in the wild. The refreshingly sweet fruit is very hard to resist even for birds. And thankfully it is loaded with vitamins and minerals that helps in keeping birds healthy.
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Watermelon, as we have learned, is liked by most birds. And they thoroughly enjoy eating it but naturally their eating habits will no doubt differ ours. And while we find the flesh of the watermelon to be the most delicious; they on the other hand might prefer the rind or the seeds more.
Watermelon rinds:
Birds may like watermelon but aren’t too fond of eating the watermelon rind which is actually a good thing. Because the rind’s surface may be covered in elements that can be harmful for birds such as pesticides and fungicides. This can be very bad for a bird’s health. So, if you are feeding your birds watermelon, be sure to remove the rind.
Watermelon plants:
Birds are not likely to seek out a watermelon plant to eat it. What they are really after is the watermelon itself. The watermelon plant does not hold much interest for them.
Watermelon leaves:
Birds will sometimes peck on watermelon leaves, especially when the leaves are young and still soft. They are more prone to snack on watermelon leaves if the fruits haven’t arrived yet. Therefore, yes! Birds do eat watermelon leaves but whether they enjoy it as much as watermelon is yet to be determined!
Watermelon seeds:
Watermelon seeds are a favourite among birds, especially parrots. They like them almost as much as the fruit itself, if not more. And if you are planning to feed your birds watermelon seeds as a snack, it would be best to soak them in water overnight. This will allow the seeds to soften and make it easier for the birds to eat them.
Is watermelon good for birds?
Watermelon is an excellent fruit for birds. It has an abundance of vitamins and minerals and each of these work to benefit birds in various ways.
Watermelon contains citrulline and lycopene which significantly reduces the risk of heart disease in birds. While vitamin B present in watermelon gives birds a boost in their energy levels and vitamin C begins to strengthen their immune system.
And unsurprisingly the benefits don’t stop there, watermelon also contains vitamin B6 which helps the immune system with antibody production, to ward off diseases carrying bacteria and vitamin A helps keep birds’ eyesight in good condition.
However, despite all these benefits, it is essential to avoid giving birds a diet of only watermelon as their primary food source. It should be given to them with a combination of other foods.
What birds eat watermelon?
We have discussed birds in general and their preference towards watermelon. But to get a better idea, we must look at individual birds and see whether they like watermelon too or not.
Parrots:
Parrots love to eat watermelons and thankfully it is perfectly safe for them and in fact, provides a lot of health benefits for them. And even though it is unwise to feed parrots only watermelons, it can still be a great addition in their existing diets. One that they will undoubtedly enjoy.
Parakeets:
Parakeets can also munch on watermelons without any worries. It will actually help hydrate and energy them. So, when you are enjoying the delectable food during the summer vacations, don’t forget to share some with your parakeets!
Cockatiels:
Cockatiels are birds that like to eat fruit, in general. And watermelon is very well received by them and thankfully the vitamins and minerals present in watermelon do them a world of good.
Finches:
Finches have been known to develop a liking towards watermelon and it being safe for them is an added bonus. They usually like to eat a wide variety of fruits and watermelon is on that list and it might very well end up being a staple for them.
Lovebirds:
Lovebirds love to eat watermelons. If a lovebird appears to lack energy and seems dehydrated then a few chunks of watermelon is what might be able to revive him/her with a blow up of instant energy.
Doves:
Doves like to eat watermelon as well. The fruits not only relieve them from hunger but replenishes their body from within too. So, if you own a watermelon patch, don’t be surprised to find them hovering over your field. Chances are they are looking for some sweet treat.
Parrotlets:
It is perfectly safe for parrotlets to eat watermelon. The seeds can also work as a great snack for them. But try to feed them a limited amount of watermelon and don’t make the mistake of making this their only source of food, irrespective of how beneficial it is.
Cockatoos:
Cockatoos can eat watermelon. They should be served at least some sort of fruit with their meal everyday and watermelon is a great option for that. This will make their diet well balanced.
Conures:
Conures can consume watermelon once in a while. But it is discouraged to serve them watermelon on a daily basis as watermelon is mainly water and natural sugar which isn’t the best thing for their body.
Pionus Parrots:
Watermelon is safe and good for pionus parrots just like it is good for parrots. They eat these fruits heartily and even enjoy the seeds. Therefore, it is okay to treat your pionus parrot with watermelon now and then.
African Greys:
African greys can be fed any sort of melons such as watermelon, honeydew melons, cantaloupes and also pumpkin. But since watermelons have a high water content, it is best not to overfeed them with watermelons. But adding them sometimes with their usual diet will be beneficial.
Robins:
Robins eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables and one of those is watermelon. You can feed your robbins watermelon without a worry. But avoid feeding them watermelon seeds as they are not too fond of those.
What happens when birds eat watermelon? Why are they beneficial?
It is advised by many bird specialists to add watermelon to birds’ regular diets because of the boost of energy it gives them and how hydrating it can be which is especially needed during summer months when birds can get quite dehydrated due to the high temperature. But these are all initial benefits. Watermelon also has the ability to improve birds’ overall health.
Here are a few things it is known to help with.
- First of all, Citrulline and lycopene found in watermelons helps the blood in the birds’ body flow better and also protects the body cells from any sort of damage while simultaneously lowering the risk of heart diseases such as heart blockage. Lycopene also works as a natural treatment to reduce inflammation within the birds’ body.
- Secondly, the high water content in watermelons plays a crucial part in keeping birds hydrated and when coupled with the fibre content in watermelons, they help improve the birds’ digestive system and also reduce constipation.
- Lastly, watermelon contains very helpful vitamins such as vitamin A, B, B6, C. And these all work hard to improve the birds’ eyesight, energize them, strengthen their immune system and help their immune system produce necessary antibodies.
How do I prepare watermelon for birds to eat?
If you want to start adding watermelon in your bird’s diet then this is an easy step by step process on how to do that.
- You can begin by first giving your watermelon a good rinse and then separate the rind from the flesh within.
- You should then cut the watermelon flesh in small pieces to make it easier for birds to eat them.
- Some people also like to take out the seeds but leaving them with the watermelon isn’t a problem as birds can eat seeds too. You can either leave them or take them out.
- Serve the watermelon to the birds in a small bowl or dish.
Final Thoughts
Birds can eat watermelon and this should be encouraged as well. Because not only is it a delicious and fresh treat for birds but watermelon contains an array of compounds which can truly improve a bird’s health and reduce the risk of many severe diseases.