The pickiest GCC

[Strider86]

So I have a green cheek conure (Dr. Zoidbird) who will absolutely not eat a single fruit or vegetable I offer him. The most he does is tongue them a bit but he won't actually eat them. The only thing he will eat are is his pellets. Any tips on encouraging a picky eater?

 

[aliray]

Just keep trying all different types of food

 

[Abigal7]

Have you ate some fruits and veggies in front of him? My bird is getting better and eating fruits and veggies but it is the pellets that she is picky on.

 

[MollyGreenCheeks]

You have to lead by example as that is how parrots learn in the wild. When introducing mine to new and various foods, I get their meal set up on the kitchen counter and then get down on my knees with them on the counter with the food. I then proceed to take bits of the food and nibble away at it while making sloppy and yummy noises. Usually the first time I try this they come along and begin sharing in the festivities. Sometimes it make take more tries. I've found that just placing new foods in front of them just doesn't work very well. Give it a try. It's fun and a bonding experience!

 

[Strider86]

I have tried eating things in front of him. I try to make a spectacle of it so he'll catch on. It's just frustrating because I want him to have a variety and not just the same old pellets every day. : /

 

[weco]

Tracy, you may be right and since it sounds like you have the technique down pat, maybe we could convince you to post a video we could use to properly train our birds…..

 

[a_osborne]

I am having the same problem! Eva is SO picky. I have been able to get her to nibble at dried papaya but only from my hand, never when placed in her bowl. I have tried fresh fruits and vegetables with zero luck. I have eaten things in front of her and then offered her some but she shows no interest. Now I have wasted so much money on things she refuses to touch

 

[nicolee003]

If you have a juicer, try juicing fruits and vegetables and offer them as a drink. That is what I had to do for my first gcc because he was so picky, and he absolutely loved his juice! If this does work for you here's a helpful hint...make enough juice to fill an ice cube tray and then freeze it so that it's more convenient!