Can Parrots Eat Almonds?

Yes, parrots can eat almonds. Plain, unsalted almonds are a healthy treat for most parrots, and they're one of the most common nuts in quality bird foods.

Why almonds are good for parrots

Almonds provide healthy fats, protein, vitamin E and minerals like magnesium and calcium. Their hard texture also gives your bird something satisfying to work on.

How to serve almonds

• Unsalted and unseasoned only. Skip smoked, salted, candied or flavored almonds.
• Raw or plain roasted are both fine.
• In the shell for large parrots who enjoy cracking them.
• Chopped for smaller birds like cockatiels and conures.

How many?

Almonds are rich, so treat them as treats. One almond, or a piece of one, is plenty for a medium parrot. Macaws can have more because they need more fat in their diet. Birds that gain weight easily, like cockatoos and Amazons, should have fewer.

A note on bitter almonds

The almonds sold in grocery stores are sweet almonds, which are safe. Bitter almonds, which aren't commonly sold as snacks in the US, contain compounds that can release cyanide and should never be given to birds.

Where to find almonds for your bird

Almonds are included in many of our nut mixes and blends:

• Mixed Nuts: an out-of-shell mix with almonds and eight other nuts
• Patagonian Tree Nut and Patagonian Spice & Nut (In Shell)
• Our Grey/Eclectus Ultimate Blend, which includes almonds alongside fortified pellets

More on nuts: Best nuts for parrots: what to feed and how much