Written by the Birdsville team. Last updated October 2026.

The best macaw diet is a mix of quality pellets and a good seed blend in separate dishes, plenty of fresh vegetables, some fruit, and a few nuts every day. Macaws need more fat than most parrots, because wild macaws live on rich nuts and seeds, so nuts are a healthy part of their diet in the right amounts. This guide covers what to feed every kind of macaw, from Blue and Golds and Scarlets to Hyacinths and mini macaws, plus how much to feed and which foods to avoid.

Macaw Diet Key Takeaways

Feed quality pellets and a good seed mix in separate dishes, with fresh vegetables daily and fruit in smaller amounts.
Macaws need more fat than most parrots, so a few nuts a day are healthy for large macaws.
Hyacinth macaws need much more fat than other macaws. Mini macaws need less.
A macaw eats roughly 10% of its body weight in pellets or dry food each day.
Never feed avocado, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, onion or garlic.
Our top picks are Birdsville Blends Tropical Large Parrot seed and Vetafarm Macaw Nuts pellets.

On This Page

What Do Macaws Eat in the Wild?
The Best Seed for Macaws
The Best Pellets for Macaws
Nuts and Fat in a Macaw Diet
Fruits & Veggie Guide for Macaws
How Much Should a Macaw Eat?
Diet by Macaw Type
How to Switch a Macaw to Pellets
Foods That Are Toxic to Macaws
Water, Calcium and Vitamins
Diet Related Health Problems in Macaws
Macaw Diet Frequently Asked Questions

What Do Macaws Eat in the Wild?

Wild macaws eat nuts, seeds, fruit, flowers, leaves and bark, and many visit clay licks along riverbanks. They fly long distances every day to find food, cracking hard palm nuts and seeds with their huge beaks. That active life burns a lot of energy. A pet macaw needs the same variety of foods, but in smaller amounts, because it doesn’t fly as far.

The Best Seed for Macaws

The best seed for a macaw is a fresh, quality large parrot mix with plenty of variety, not a cheap sunflower heavy mix. Our top pick is Birdsville Blends Tropical Large Parrot (https://petsville.com.au/products/birdsville-blends-tropical-large-parrot-1kg). It contains more than 26 ingredients, including grains, legumes, fruit, vegetables, nuts and greens, and it’s made for macaws and other large parrots.

Birdsville Blends are bagged fresh on site from quality ingredients. Our turnover is high, so the seed never sits on a shelf going stale, and buying direct from the people who mix it means better value. Steer clear of many chain store mixes. Their low quality grains and filler seed affect the health and vitality of your bird. For more, see our Large Parrot Seed page (https://birdsville.net.au/seeds-grains/large-parrot-seed/).

The Best Pellets for Macaws

Quality pellets fill the nutritional gaps a seed diet leaves, and they should be a big part of every macaw’s diet. Our top pick is Vetafarm Macaw Nuts (https://petsville.com.au/products/vetafarm-macaw-nuts-2kg). They’re large, nut enriched pellets designed by avian vets for macaws and other South American parrots, with the extra fat and protein these birds need.

Other good choices are Vetafarm Nutriblend Pellets Large (https://petsville.com.au/products/vetafarm-nutriblend-pellets-lge-1-6kg) and Harrison’s Adult Lifetime Coarse (https://petsville.com.au/products/harrisons-adult-lt-formula-coarse-454gm). Feed pellets in their own dish, separate from the seed.

Nuts and Fat in a Macaw Diet

Macaws need more fat than most other parrots, so a few nuts each day are healthy for a large macaw. VCA Animal Hospitals notes that macaws eat more nuts in the wild and have a higher fat requirement than many other birds (https://vcacanada.com/know-your-pet/macaws-feeding). Good choices include walnuts, almonds and macadamias, ideally in the shell so your macaw has to work for them. Birdsville Blends Nut Magic (https://petsville.com.au/products/birdsville-blends-nut-magic-400g) is a nut rich mix made for macaws and other large parrots, and it’s perfect for treats and foraging toys. Passwell Fruit & Nut (https://petsville.com.au/products/passwell-fruit-nut-330g) is another favourite.

Too much fat is still a problem, though. Nuts and sunflower seed should stay a small part of the daily diet, and they should be cut back for any macaw that’s putting on weight.

Fruits & Veggie Guide for Macaws

Offer fresh vegetables every day and fruit in smaller amounts, because fruit is high in sugar.

Vegetables

Broccoli, carrot, sweet potato, pumpkin, green beans, peas, corn, zucchini, squash, capsicum, chilli, cucumber and dark leafy greens.

Fruits

Apple, pear, banana, mango, paw paw, grapes, berries, rockmelon, pomegranate, orange and kiwi fruit. Remove stones and pits first.

Avoid Entirely

Onion, avocado, garlic, chocolate, caffein

How Much Should a Macaw Eat?

As a guide, a macaw eats about 10% of its body weight in pellets or dry food each day. A 1 kg Blue and Gold Macaw needs around 100 g, for example. Vetafarm recommends a diet of about 80% pellets, 15% fruit and vegetables and 5% nuts. Every bird is different, so adjust for your macaw’s weight, age and activity.

Here’s a tip from our team. Use separate dishes for seed and pellets, and don’t refill either until both are empty. Given a full seed dish every day, a macaw will pick out its favourites and leave the healthy food behind. Once the favourites run out, it eats the rest, and within a few months you’ll see brighter feathers and a healthier bird.

Young macaws are different. Newly weaned babies should have an all you can eat buffet until they’re eating confidently on their own.

Sydney seasonal tip: Fresh fruit and vegetables spoil quickly in Sydney’s summer heat, so offer smaller portions and remove leftovers within a couple of hours.

Diet by Macaw Type

Large Macaws (Blue and Gold, Green-winged, Scarlet and Military)

Large macaws do best on Birdsville Blends Tropical Large Parrot (https://petsville.com.au/products/birdsville-blends-tropical-large-parrot-1kg) and Vetafarm Macaw Nuts (https://petsville.com.au/products/vetafarm-macaw-nuts-2kg) in separate dishes, with daily vegetables, some fruit and a few nuts. Read our Blue and Gold Macaw care guide (https://birdsville.net.au/animals-for-sale/birds-for-sale/blue-gold-macaw/) for everything else these birds need.

Hyacinth Macaws

Hyacinth macaws need far more fat than other macaws, because in the wild they live mainly on fatty palm nuts. Nuts such as macadamias and walnuts can be an everyday part of a Hyacinth’s diet, alongside large pellets, vegetables and fruit. Their huge beaks crack even macadamias in the shell easily.

Mini Macaws (Hahn’s, Severe and Illiger’s)

Mini macaws need smaller food and less fat than the large macaws. Feed Birdsville Blends Tropical Small Parrot (https://petsville.com.au/products/birdsville-blends-tropical-small-parrot-500g) and Vetafarm South American Pellets (https://petsville.com.au/products/vetafarm-south-american-mix-350g), which are sized for smaller birds, plus daily vegetables, some fruit and only the occasional nut.

Quick Comparison

Large macaws: Tropical Large Parrot seed, Macaw Nuts pellets, a few nuts a day.
Hyacinth macaws: large pellets, plenty of nuts daily, vegetables and fruit.
Mini macaws: Tropical Small Parrot seed, South American pellets, nuts as an occasional treat.

How to Switch a Macaw to Pellets

Switch a macaw to pellets slowly, over several weeks. Start by offering pellets in a separate dish alongside its usual food. Then gradually reduce the seed, so it becomes hungry enough to try the pellets. Some macaws accept pellets faster if you crumble a few over moist food they already love, such as vegetables or cooked egg. Never take seed away completely until you’re sure your bird is eating pellets well, and weigh it regularly while you make the switch.

Foods That Are Toxic to Macaws

Never feed a macaw avocado, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, onion, garlic or anything containing xylitol. Also avoid salty, sugary or fatty human food, uncooked dried beans, fruit stones and pits, and mouldy or spoiled food. If your macaw eats something toxic, call an avian vet straight away.

Water, Calcium and Vitamins

Fresh, clean water must be available to your macaw at all times. Change it daily and scrub the dish.

Macaws on a good pellet diet usually get the calcium and vitamins they need. Birds eating mostly seed may need extra calcium, and an indoor macaw that never gets direct sunlight needs vitamin D. Ask our team or your avian vet before adding supplements, so you don’t double up on the vitamins already in the pellets.

Diet Related Health Problems in Macaws

A poor diet is one of the most common causes of illness in macaws. A diet heavy in sunflower seed and peanuts is high in fat but low in calcium and vitamin A. Over time it can lead to obesity, fatty liver disease, clogged arteries, vitamin A deficiency and weak bones.

For a macaw that’s overweight or has been diagnosed with fatty liver, we often recommend Birdsville Blends Healthy Parrot (https://petsville.com.au/products/birdsville-blends-healthy-parrot-500g) mixed with Birdsville Blends Budgie Gourmet (https://petsville.com.au/products/birdsville-blends-budgie-500g). Have an avian vet confirm the problem first. See our Common Bird Illnesses page (https://birdsville.net.au/common-bird-illnesses/) and Feather Plucking page (https://birdsville.net.au/pet-bird-advice-and-training/feather-plucking/) for more.

Macaw Diet Frequently Asked Questions

What do macaws eat?

In the wild, macaws eat nuts, seeds, fruit, flowers and leaves, and many visit clay licks. A pet macaw does best on quality pellets and a good seed mix in separate dishes, plenty of vegetables, some fruit and a few nuts each day. Macaws need more fat than most parrots, so nuts are an important part of their diet.

Can macaws eat nuts?

Yes. Macaws need more fat than most parrots, so a few nuts each day are healthy for large macaws. Walnuts, almonds and macadamias are good choices, ideally in the shell for foraging. Hyacinth macaws need even more nuts, while mini macaws need fewer. Cut back on nuts for any macaw that’s overweight.

How much should a macaw eat a day?

As a guide, a macaw eats about 10% of its body weight in pellets or dry food each day, so a 1 kg Blue and Gold Macaw needs around 100 g. Vetafarm recommends about 80% pellets, 15% fruit and vegetables and 5% nuts. Adjust for your bird’s weight, age and activity level.

What fruit can macaws eat?

Macaws can eat apple, pear, banana, mango, paw paw, grapes, berries, melon, pomegranate, orange and kiwi fruit. Remove stones and pits first, as many contain harmful compounds. Fruit is high in sugar, so offer more vegetables than fruit and keep fruit to a smaller part of your macaw’s daily diet.

What foods are toxic to macaws?

Never feed a macaw avocado, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, onion, garlic or anything containing xylitol. Avoid salty, sugary or fatty human food, uncooked dried beans, fruit stones and pits, and mouldy or spoiled food. If your macaw eats something toxic, call an avian vet straight away for advice.

Do mini macaws eat the same as large macaws?

Mostly, but in smaller pieces and with less fat. Mini macaws such as Hahn’s, Severe and Illiger’s do well on a small parrot mix like Birdsville Blends Tropical Small Parrot, smaller pellets such as Vetafarm South American, plenty of vegetables, some fruit and only the occasional nut, as they don’t need the extra fat large macaws do.

Visit Birdsville for Macaw Food

Every seed, pellet and treat in this guide is available in-store at Birdsville, 684 Botany Road, Alexandria NSW 2015, servicing the Eastern Suburbs and Inner South Sydney, and online through Petsville, which ships Australia-wide. Visit us or call (02) 9669 1766, and our team will help you work out the best diet for your macaw. Follow us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/BirdsvilleRosebery/), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/petsvillesydney/) and TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@birdsvillepets) for live updates.

About Birdsville

Birdsville has been trading in Sydney since 1985, and we believe we’re now the oldest bricks and mortar bird shop still open in Australia. Owner Ash brings experience from vet clinics and from zoo keeping at the Rainforest Habitat in Port Douglas, now Wildlife Habitat. We’re a small business that does things in a big way. Nobody tells us how to run things, so we keep our products the best of the best.

Sources

Macaw fat requirements and diet related illness: VCA Animal Hospitals, Macaws Feeding
Feeding amounts and diet percentages: Vetafarm product guidelines
Feeding method, seed and treat advice: Ash and the Birdsville team
Product details: Petsville product listings