Last updated: October 2026
Written by the Birdsville team. Large parrots have been part of life at our Alexandria store since 1985, and we’re well known for rehoming parrots, especially Eclectus.
The best food for large parrots is quality seed and pellets in separate bowls, plenty of fresh vegetables, some fruit and nuts as treats, plus a calcium source and a regular vitamin boost. This applies to Eclectus parrots, Amazons, African greys, macaws and other big parrots. Each of these birds has its own weak spot: Eclectus need plenty of fresh food, African greys need extra calcium, and Amazons and macaws put on weight easily. This page explains the right seed and pellets for each, the best fresh food, safe nuts, supplements and the foods to avoid. Our own Birdsville Blends Healthy Parrot (https://petsville.com.au/products/birdsville-blends-healthy-parrot-500g) was created in store especially for Eclectus parrots.
Large Parrot Food Key Takeaways
The best food for large parrots is a mix of seed, pellets, fresh vegetables, some fruit, a calcium source and a weekly vitamin boost.
Birdsville serves seed and pellets in separate bowls and waits until both are empty before refilling either one.
Many mature large parrots do better on a small parrot mix, which has less sunflower than a standard parrot mix.
Birdsville Blends Healthy Parrot was designed for Eclectus parrots, and Tropical Large Parrot suits Amazons, macaws and African greys.
African grey parrots are prone to low calcium on seed heavy diets, so calcium and vitamin D matter most for them.
Amazons and macaws gain weight easily, so sunflower seed and nuts should stay as treats.
Chocolate, avocado, onion, alcohol and caffeine are dangerous, and lettuce is best left out.
Large parrot seed, pellets and supplements are sold at Birdsville, 684 Botany Road, Alexandria, and online through Petsville.
Large Parrot Quick Facts
Eclectus parrot (Eclectus roratus): about 35 to 42cm, native to Cape York in Queensland, New Guinea and nearby islands
African grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus): about 33cm, native to the rainforests of central Africa
Amazon parrots (Amazona species): about 30 to 45cm depending on species, native to Central and South America
Blue and gold macaw (Ara ararauna): up to about 85cm including the tail, native to South America
Lifespan: large parrots commonly live 40 years or more with good care
Recommended seed: quality parrot mix for young birds, small parrot mix or a sunflower free mix for most adults
Pellets: in a separate bowl from the seed
Calcium: calcium and iodine perch, calcium bell or calcium in the water
Grit: not needed
Water: fresh every day
What Do Large Parrots Eat in the Wild?
Wild large parrots live mainly on fruit, nuts, seeds, flowers, buds and leaves, and they fly long distances every day to find them.
Eclectus parrots feed high in the rainforest canopy on fruit, figs, flowers, nuts and seeds. African greys eat palm fruit, seeds, nuts and leaves. Macaws crack hard palm nuts and seeds with their huge beaks, and Amazons feed on fruit, seeds, nuts and blossoms. The Unusual Pet Vets (https://www.unusualpetvets.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Eclectus-Care-Sheet.pdf) point out that wild parrots burn off a rich diet with hours of flying, while pet parrots exercise far less. That’s why a pet large parrot needs more vegetables and fewer fatty foods than its wild cousins.
What Is the Best Seed for Large Parrots?
The best seed for a large parrot is a fresh, quality mix chosen for its species and age, with sunflower kept low for adult birds.
For Eclectus parrots, our first pick is Birdsville Blends Healthy Parrot (https://petsville.com.au/products/birdsville-blends-healthy-parrot-500g). It’s built on canary seed, millets and oats with no sunflower, and adds red lentils, split peas, mung beans, pumpkin seeds, coconut, pawpaw, chilli, beetroot, sweet potato, pumpkin, carrot, walnuts, almonds, Brazil nuts, flowers, spinach and parsley. It suits Amazons, macaws, African greys and Alexandrines too, and comes in 500g, 1kg, 2kg and 4kg bags.
For Amazons, macaws and African greys, Birdsville Blends Tropical Large Parrot (https://petsville.com.au/products/birdsville-blends-tropical-large-parrot-1kg) mixes seed and grains with almonds, walnuts, peanuts, dates, banana chips, legumes, vegetables and chillies. Birdsville Blends Parrot (https://petsville.com.au/products/birdsville-blends-parrot-4kg) is a sunflower free mix for overweight birds, birds with fatty liver disease, or owners who want to control how much sunflower their bird eats. For an everyday base mix, Basic Parrot Mix (https://petsville.com.au/products/avigrain-seed-parrot-blue-4kg), also sold as Avigrain Parrot Blue, has sunflower, safflower, grains and dried fruit.
Buy seed from a bird specialist or produce store rather than a supermarket. Cheap mixes are often old and full of filler that large parrots throw out, so they cost more in the long run.
Should Large Parrots Eat Pellets?
Yes, pellets are a key part of a large parrot’s diet, and Birdsville feeds them in their own bowl alongside the seed.
Choose a pellet that matches the bird. Vetafarm Paradise Pellets (https://petsville.com.au/products/vetafarm-paradise-pellets-2kg) are made for fruit eating birds like Eclectus. Vetafarm Macaw Nuts (https://petsville.com.au/products/vetafarm-macaw-nuts-2kg) give large South American parrots the extra fat and protein they need. Vetafarm Nutriblend Pellets Large (https://petsville.com.au/products/vetafarm-nutriblend-pellets-lge-1-6kg) and Harrison’s High Potency Coarse (https://petsville.com.au/products/harrisons-high-potency-super-course-454g) suit African greys, Amazons and macaws.
Vet care sheets put pellets higher than most owners expect. The Unusual Pet Vets suggest 30 to 70% pellets for Eclectus and 40 to 70% for macaws (https://www.unusualpetvets.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Macaw-Care-Sheet.pdf), with seed at no more than 15%. At Birdsville we find large parrots thrive with seed and pellets offered together, as long as the seed bowl isn’t topped up before the pellets are eaten.
How Much Should a Large Parrot Eat?
Give a large parrot enough seed and pellets that it finishes both bowls before you refill either, and offer fresh food every day.
Large parrots pick out their favourite foods first, usually sunflower and nuts. If those keep getting topped up, the bird never gets hungry enough to eat its pellets or vegetables. Once both bowls are empty, refill them together. Weigh your parrot monthly on kitchen scales, because a slow weight gain is hard to see under all those feathers.
What Fruit and Vegetables Can Large Parrots Eat?
Large parrots can eat nearly every fruit and vegetable except avocado and onion. We also skip lettuce, as it’s mostly water.
What Vegetables Can Large Parrots Eat?
Sweet potato, carrot, pumpkin, corn, beans, peas, broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, silverbeet, capsicum, zucchini, squash, cucumber and fresh chilli are all great choices. Frozen peas and corn, thawed first, are an easy standby. Cut vegetables into big chunks or leave them whole so a large parrot can hold and chew them, which keeps it busy too.
What Fruit Can Large Parrots Eat?
Rockmelon, honeydew, apple, orange, kiwifruit, pear, banana, mango, pomegranate, figs, grapes and pitted stone fruit are all suitable. Eclectus usually eat the most fruit of any large parrot. For Amazons and macaws, keep fruit to a smaller share, as its sugar adds to their weight.
Is Soaked Seed Good for Large Parrots?
Yes. Soaked or sprouted seed is softer, lower in fat and higher in nutrients than dry seed, which makes it ideal for young birds and fussy eaters. Clean it with Vetafarm Aviclens (https://petsville.com.au/products/vetafarm-aviclens-water-cleanser-100ml) before serving. Our Best Bird Treats page (https://birdsville.net.au/bird-treats-tips-and-sprouted-mix/) has the method.
What Nuts Can Large Parrots Eat?
Large parrots can eat walnuts, almonds, Brazil nuts, macadamias, hazelnuts and peanuts, as long as they are unsalted and fed as treats.
Macaws need more fat than most parrots and can have a few more nuts, while Amazons and African greys should get only a couple a day. Birdsville Blends Nut Magic (https://petsville.com.au/products/birdsville-blends-nut-magic-400g) is our nut, fruit and vegetable mix for macaws, African greys and similar large parrots. Shelled Walnuts (https://petsville.com.au/products/birdsville-walnuts-500g) and Passwell Fruit and Nut (https://petsville.com.au/products/passwell-fruit-nut-330g) make good training rewards.
Do Large Parrots Need Supplements?
Yes, large parrots need a regular vitamin boost and a calcium and iodine source, and indoor birds also need vitamin D.
Do Large Parrots Need Vitamins?
Yes, every large parrot benefits from a regular vitamin boost. Add Vetafarm Multivet (https://petsville.com.au/products/vetafarm-multivet-50ml) to the water at least once a week. Seed heavy diets are low in vitamin A, but stick to the label dose, as the Merck Veterinary Manual (https://www.merckvetmanual.com/bird-owners/disorders-and-diseases-of-birds/nutritional-disorders-of-pet-birds) warns that too much vitamin A is harmful too.
Do Large Parrots Need Calcium and Iodine?
Yes. Offer a calcium and iodine perch (https://petsville.com.au/products/avian-care-trimming-calcium-perch-140mm-small) or calcium bell, or add Vetafarm Calcivet (https://petsville.com.au/products/vetafarm-calcivet-50ml) to the water. Don’t give shell grit to large parrots. Our Calcium and Iodine Perch page (https://birdsville.net.au/calcium-iodine-perch/) explains the options.
Why Do African Grey Parrots Need Extra Calcium?
African greys are especially prone to low blood calcium when they live mostly on seed, according to the Merck Veterinary Manual. Signs include weakness, wobbling and fits. Give African greys a calcium source at all times, plus Vetafarm Soluvite D (https://petsville.com.au/products/vetafarm-soluvite-d-25g) in the water if they don’t get direct, unfiltered sunlight.
How Should You Feed a Large Parrot Through Sydney’s Seasons?
Sydney’s summer heat and winter cold both change how a large parrot should be fed.
On hot summer days, refresh the water morning and afternoon, move the cage out of the afternoon sun and clear away fresh fruit and vegetables after a couple of hours, before they spoil. Frozen chunks of fruit make a cooling treat on hot days. In winter, a little extra hulled oats (https://petsville.com.au/products/avigrain-seed-hulled-oats-1kg) or warm steamed vegetables help older birds hold their condition.
A Tip From Our Staff
As most large parrots mature, we move them from a parrot mix to a small parrot mix, which has much less sunflower. Young birds need the extra fat while they grow, but adult Eclectus and macaws do better on the lighter mix. We also keep seed and pellets in separate bowls and only refill once both are empty, because a parrot will always eat the seed first if it can.
What Do Young Large Parrots Need?
Newly weaned large parrots should be given unlimited seed, pellets, fruit and vegetables for their first six weeks in a new home.
Young birds can go backwards and stop eating after a move. If that happens, offer warm hand rearing formula from a spoon, such as Passwell Hand Rearing Food (https://petsville.com.au/products/passwell-hand-rearing-food-300g). Eclectus in particular take it happily, and it doubles as a bonding treat. Young birds can stay on a richer parrot mix, then change to a lighter mix before about six months old. Our Hand Raising Baby Birds page (https://birdsville.net.au/hand-raising-baby-birds/) has more.
What Foods Are Bad for Large Parrots?
Chocolate, avocado, onion, alcohol and anything with caffeine can seriously harm or kill a large parrot.
Salted nuts, chips and other salty or fatty human food should be avoided, along with dairy. Dried beans such as kidney beans must be cooked or sprouted first, as they are toxic raw. Take the pits out of stone fruit, and never serve fruit or vegetables that have gone mouldy. Lettuce isn’t toxic, but our team leaves it out because it has little nutrition.
Large Parrot Food Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best food for large parrots?
The best food for large parrots is a quality seed mix and pellets in separate bowls, fresh vegetables every day, some fruit, a calcium source and a weekly vitamin boost. Birdsville Blends Healthy Parrot suits Eclectus, while Tropical Large Parrot suits Amazons, macaws and African greys. Keep sunflower and nuts as treats for adult birds.
What do Eclectus parrots eat?
Eclectus parrots eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, plus a low sunflower seed mix and pellets made for fruit eating birds, such as Vetafarm Paradise. Our Birdsville Blends Healthy Parrot was designed especially for Eclectus. Avoid avocado, lettuce, cocoa and shell grit, and give a calcium source and vitamins regularly.
What nuts can large parrots eat?
Large parrots can eat unsalted walnuts, almonds, Brazil nuts, macadamias, hazelnuts and peanuts. Nuts are high in fat, so give them as treats or training rewards. Macaws can have a few more than other large parrots, while Amazons and African greys gain weight easily and should only get a couple each day.
Do African grey parrots need calcium?
Yes, African greys need a reliable calcium source more than most parrots, as they are prone to low blood calcium on seed heavy diets. Give a calcium and iodine perch or bell, or calcium in the water, and add vitamin D drops if your grey lives indoors without direct, unfiltered sunlight.
Are sunflower seeds bad for large parrots?
Sunflower seeds aren’t toxic, but they are very high in fat. Young parrots can handle more, while adult Amazons, macaws and Eclectus can become overweight or develop fatty liver disease if sunflower makes up most of their diet. A small parrot mix or the sunflower free Birdsville Blends Parrot is a better choice for adults.
Can large parrots eat human food?
Large parrots can share some plain human food, such as cooked egg, brown rice, plain pasta and steamed vegetables, in small amounts. Never give them avocado, onion, chocolate, coffee, alcohol, salty snacks or fatty takeaway food. Fresh vegetables and fruit are always a healthier treat than food from your plate.
Where Can I Buy Large Parrot Seed in Sydney?
Birdsville stocks large parrot seed, including our Birdsville Blends Healthy Parrot, Tropical Large Parrot and Parrot mixes, along with pellets, nuts and supplements, at 684 Botany Road, Alexandria NSW 2015, servicing the Eastern Suburbs and Inner South Sydney. Come and see us in store or ring (02) 9669 1766. We’re open 9:30am to 5:30pm on weekdays, 10am to 5pm on Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sunday, and our Contact page (https://birdsville.net.au/contact-birdsville/) has a map.
If you’re outside Sydney, Petsville (https://petsville.com.au/) delivers large parrot food Australia wide, and the complete seed range sits in the Petsville seed collection (https://petsville.com.au/collections/seed-1). Because of quarantine restrictions, seed can’t be posted to WA or Tasmania.
Large parrot food on Petsville:
Birdsville Blends Healthy Parrot (https://petsville.com.au/products/birdsville-blends-healthy-parrot-500g)
Birdsville Blends Tropical Large Parrot (https://petsville.com.au/products/birdsville-blends-tropical-large-parrot-1kg)
Birdsville Blends Parrot (https://petsville.com.au/products/birdsville-blends-parrot-4kg)
Birdsville Blends Nut Magic (https://petsville.com.au/products/birdsville-blends-nut-magic-400g)
Vetafarm Paradise Pellets (https://petsville.com.au/products/vetafarm-paradise-pellets-2kg)
Vetafarm Macaw Nuts (https://petsville.com.au/products/vetafarm-macaw-nuts-2kg)
Vetafarm Multivet (https://petsville.com.au/products/vetafarm-multivet-50ml)
Find out more about the birds on this page on our Eclectus Parrot (https://birdsville.net.au/hand-reared-birds-diet-nutrition/eclectus-parrot-information/), Blue Fronted Amazon (https://birdsville.net.au/blue-fronted-amazon-information/), Double Yellow Headed Amazon (https://birdsville.net.au/hand-reared-birds-diet-nutrition/double-yellow-headed-amazon/) and Blue and Gold Macaw (https://birdsville.net.au/hand-reared-birds-diet-nutrition/blue-and-gold-macaw-information/) pages. Looking to rehome or adopt a large parrot? See Sydney Pet Bird Rescue (https://birdsville.net.au/re-homing-parrot-adoption/). For cockatoos, see our Cockatoo Seed page (https://birdsville.net.au/seeds-grains/cockatoo-seed/), and for conures, quakers and ringnecks, see our Small Parrot Seed page (https://birdsville.net.au/seeds-grains/small-parrot-seed/).
About Birdsville
Birdsville opened at 684 Botany Road, Alexandria NSW 2015 in 1985 and specialises in birds and small animals, including rehoming large parrots. Our Birdsville Blends (https://birdsville.net.au/birdsville-blends/) range is mixed on site for large parrots, small parrots, cockatoos, cockatiels, lovebirds, budgies, canaries and finches, and is sold in store and on Petsville.
Sources
Feeding method, seed choice by age, pellets, foods to avoid and young bird care: Birdsville Eclectus, Blue Fronted Amazon and Blue and Gold Macaw pages
Vet diet proportions and wild diet notes: The Unusual Pet Vets, Eclectus and Macaw Care Sheets
African grey calcium, vitamin A and obesity in Amazons and macaws: Merck Veterinary Manual, Nutritional Disorders of Pet Birds
Product ingredients and bag sizes: Petsville product listings
Seasonal advice and the seed mix tip: the Birdsville team
Large Parrot Seed for Sale Sydney
Here is the large parrot seed range on our shelves. Pick them up in store or order many of them online.
Avigrain Parrot Blue
Contains grey striped sunflower, safflower, oats, cracked corn, French white millet, wheat, panorama, banana chips, peanuts, pawpaw, pineapple and/or sultanas. A base mix for larger parrots or a treat for all parrots.
Avigrain Small Parrot
Contains French white millet, grey striped sunflower, cracked corn, oats, wheat, canary seed and/or safflower. A wide variety of small seeds and coarse grains makes this mix suitable for everything from neophemas to the largest parrots.
Birdsville Parrot Mix
Contains French white millet, oats, hulled oats, wheat, safflower, mung beans, cracked or whole corn, sorghum and/or banana chips. A sunflower free mix for birds with fatty liver disease, overweight birds, or owners who want to control their bird’s sunflower intake.
Troppo Blue Fruit and Nut Medley
Formerly Avigrain Tropical Blue. Contains grey striped sunflower, safflower, banana chips, raw peanuts, almonds, peanuts in shell, coconut chips, pawpaw, pineapple, snow white pumpkin seeds, chillies, dried mango and/or dried apple. A treat for all types of parrots.
Grey Striped Sunflower
Grey striped sunflower seeds are lower in fats and oils than black sunflower seeds. In the right amount they make a healthy treat for a parrot, but overdoing them can cause problems.
Safflower Seeds
Safflower seeds look very similar to sunflower seeds but are white. They contain protein, nutrients and carbohydrate.
Hulled Oats
Hulled oats are a good source of calcium, iron, B vitamins and niacin. They’re often fed to parrots in winter or to birds that are underweight.
Avigrain Parrot Blue
Contains: Grey Striped Sunflower, Safflower, Oats, Cracked Corn, French White Millet, Wheat, Panorama, Banana Chips, Peanuts, Paw-Paw, Pineapple and/or Sultanas.
A base mix for larger varieties or a treat for all parrots.
Avigrain Small Parrot
Contains: French White Millet, Grey Striped Sunflower, Cracked Corn, Oats, Wheat, Canaryseed and/or Safflower.
A wide varietiesof small seeds and coarse grains makes this mix suitable for neophemas up to the largest parrot.
Birdsville Parrot Mix
Contains: French White Millet, Oats, Hulled Oats, Wheat, Safflower, Mung Beans, Cracked or Whole Corn, Sorghum and/or Banana Chips.
This mix is a sunflower free mix for birds with fatty liver disease, over weight or if owners want to control their sunflower intake.
Avigrain Tropical Blue
Grey Striped Sunflower, Safflower, Banana Chips, Raw Peanuts, Almonds, Peanuts in Shell, Coconut Chips, Paw-Paw, Pineapple, Snow White Pumpkin Seeds, Chillis, Dried Mango and/or Dried Apple.
A treat for all parrot types.
Grey Striped Sunflower
Grey Striped Sunflower Seed are lower in fats and oils compare to Black Sunflower Seeds. In the right proportion it can be a healthy treat for a parrot, but not to over done, there could be problems.
Safflower Seeds
Safflower Seeds looks very simular to sunflower Seeds except for the colour. They contain proteins, nutrients and carbohydrates.
Hulled Oats
Hulled Oats are a good source of calcium, iron, vitamin B and nicotrnic acid. Hulled Oats are mostly feed to parrots in winter or if birds are under weight.
