Asparagus is a pretty popular vegetable especially with people who are trying to eat more healthily. It contains a variety of essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, plus it is low in calories. There are many varieties of asparagus including white, purple and the well-known green asparagus. Regardless of the fact that this food can make your pee smell funny, it is eaten a whole lot. But can animals like birds eat asparagus? This article explores the question of ‘can birds eat asparagus’ 

Birds can definitely eat asparagus. Birds will love holding this long vegetable in their feet as they eat it. Asparagus delivers a number of vitamins and minerals to a birds body including vitamin A, C, E, K, B1 and B6, it also offers nutrients such as iron, folate, copper, protein, antioxidants, potassium and fibre.

Can birds eat asparagus?

Yes, birds can eat asparagus. This vegetable is packed with vitamins such as vitamin A, C, E, K B1 and B6, it also offers nutrients such as iron, folate, copper, protein, antioxidants, potassium, fibre and it is a diuretic. 

Vitamin C ensures that the bird’s immune system is in good working order and allows birds to fight off illnesses. Vitamin A ensures that your bird maintains a strong beak and nails.  Potassium helps maintain the bird’s metabolism keeping it strong. Vitamin B1 keeps the bird coordinated. 

Asparagus is great for birds however, some birds can be very picky with what they eat. When first introducing asparagus to birds start off by offering them the vegetable in small amounts to see how the bird likes it, also check for the effects that the asparagus has on the bird. In some cases, birds have suffered digestive distress or an upset stomach after eating the food. Your bird may also start acting odd or become sick after eating asparagus. If this is the case with your bird, keep asparagus on the ‘no feed’ list for your bird 

What kind of asparagus can birds eat? 

There are three types of asparagus, white green and purple. All types can benefit birds in some way: 

Purple: This is an uncommon asparagus variety but it is the best tasting to birds. It has a sweet flavour which birds will love, in addition, it is very rich in antioxidants 

Green: This is the most common type of asparagus, it is easy and cheap to acquire and is most probably the type you’ll feed your bird. It has good amounts of fibre but less fibre than purple asparagus 

White: This is the least common type of asparagus, it may be hard to find and thus will be more expensive.

Note: All types will be beneficial to your birds so feel free to feed them any type that you can get your hands on 

How to prepare and serve asparagus to birds 

Raw: This is a quick and easy way to serve asparagus to your birds. You can leave the asparagus sticks in your bird’s cage and let them eat as they please. They will enjoy the crunch that comes with the raw vegetable

Steamed: This is a great way to add extra water to the vegetable. The softened skin also makes the vegetable easier to eat for some birds 

Before serving asparagus to your bird it is important to always wash your asparagus beforehand. Produce of all types is sprayed with pesticides to keep them free from pests. Unfortunately, these pesticides can harm birds and even kill them. Washing asparagus not only removes chemicals but also any bugs, dirt and debris on the plant 

What to avoid when serving asparagus to my bird 

Avoid serving roasted asparagus to your bird, roasted asparagus may be delicious to us humans but it can upset your bird’s digestive system. Also, avoid sautéing this vegetable, the added ingredients used when sautéing are not beneficial to birds 

Avoid giving birds too much asparagus. This food may be healthy but the saying ‘too much of a good thing is bad’ applies to this vegetable too. Rather give the animal this food in moderation. The best way to determine how much asparagus is too much is to contact a veterinarian for professional advice. 

What other vegetables can birds eat? 

Feeding other vegetables to your bird will allow it to have a more varied diet. Other vegetables that your bird can eat include: 

• Kale 

• Beets 

• Carrots 

• Spinach 

• Squash 

• Romaine lettuce 

• Sprouted seeds

• Sweet potato  

• Broccoli 

• Cabbage

• Beans 

• Corn 

Conclusion 

In conclusion, yes birds can eat asparagus. Asparagus offers birds a variety of vitamins and minerals that are great for their health. They can eat green, white or purple asparagus depending on what you can get your hands on, the best way to serve this food is raw. Alternatively, you can steam the asparagus. Just remember not to feed the animal too much asparagus 

If you enjoyed this article then you may also be interested in other bird related articles. Here are some articles that you may be interested in: Can birds eat butter?, Can birds eat chia seeds?, Can birds eat mouldy bread?, Can birds eat beans?