Deciding Michael's food?

[MichaelTheBird]

Hi! Just your friendly needy, clueless, parrot parent here!:18: I spoke to the vet about the food that Michael is eating, and he is worried that the amount of sunflower seeds in the food might be contributing to his anxiety and general screechy nature. OOPS! I'm looking for a food without sunflower seeds, but that is still a healthy and enriching choice. The vet suggested a decent amount of human grade fruits and veggies be added to his diet, but he seems to throw everything but bell peppers right back at me (I've tried cut up grapes and some plain boiled peas). What are some good foods to start out with trying? Should I mix his food myself, or is there a decent store bought seed mix that I can supplement with fruits and veggies? What are some "people food" options for him to snack on so that we can share and try bonding that way? Is there anything I should avoid entirely? Should I be blending up his people foods, or letting him go thru the larger pieces? Are the fruity pebble looking food options as healthy as they say? They just seem heavily processed. There seems to be so much conflicting information out there! I am open to prepping all his food myself, since I feed my dog raw, I already have time set aside for it, so adding his would not be a hassle. Any articles and such on where to start would be much appreciated.

 

[Laurasea]

Hmmm, thought I replied to this one? Scrambled eggs or boiled eggs are good to share. Veggies are better than fruit , most if the time I go light on fruit. Red chilli peppers are a favorite for many parrots. They can't taste the "heat" so hot peppers are fine and enjoying.
Leafy things like romaine I serve by the leaf not chopped.
I like Tops pellets, but I serve up many brands. I once had a picky pellets eater, so now I make sure they get many different types! Every morning I offer veggies first thing , different kinds seved different ways, usually a size that's good for the feet to pick up. They all rush to the dish to see what's in there this time! Even the parakeets floor me, they try everything now. Served cherries yesterday because they were in season and one parakeet dug in.
A little cooked pasta is fine, cooked oatmeal, mine like cooked sweet potato, and cooked butternut squash, both of those mine won't touch raw

 

[Talven]

I strongly suggest you look at switching from seed to a good quality pellet if you can. I would do the same if I could find a reliable source of good quality pellets. Alas they are as rare as hens teeth where I am and few places have much variety online here in Australia.

Seeds are great for wild birds who live the life of a pro athlete and burn through huge amounts of calories. Our little feathered couch potatoes don't need anywhere near the some level of calories. Even being free about the house/bird room all day is no where near the huge amount of flying wild birds do.

Spend some time HERE where much helpful food related information has been posted.