Canaries shouldn't live on seed alone. Even if you feed your pet a high-quality commercial canary diet, fresh vegetables should make up between 20 and 25 percent of his daily food. Any veggies you give your bird should be free of pesticides or herbicides, so wash them carefully before feeding.
The Right Foods
Give your canary small amounts of finely chopped veggies in a separate bowl twice daily, removing uneaten food from the previous meal. Safe, nutritious vegetables for canaries -- members of the finch family -- include cauliflower or broccoli leaves, collard greens, watercress and bok choy. Canaries love dandelion greens and flowers, but only feed them if you are certain they don't contain herbicides. Occasional treats of spinach, parsley, chard and turnip leaves are safe for your bird, but shouldn't be fed more than once a week.
Foods to Avoid
Avoid giving your canary iceberg lettuce, celery or other green that consists primarily of water. These foods offer little in the way of nutrition. Although avocado is a fruit and not a vegetable, never feed it to your pet, as it can be toxic.
References
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Writer Bio
Jane Meggitt has been a writer for more than 20 years. In addition to reporting for a major newspaper chain, she has been published in "Horse News," "Suburban Classic," "Hoof Beats," "Equine Journal" and other publications. She has a Bachelor of Arts in English from New York University and an Associate of Arts from the American Academy of Dramatics Arts, New York City.
