While everyone feeds their budgies fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, and grains, herbs are often ignored or forgotten about entirely.
Herbs have a high percentage of fiber, which promotes good digestion and bowel health. You just need to ensure the herbs are fresh and free of pesticides and weed-control chemicals.
What Herbs Can Budgies Eat?
Budgies are easily bored, especially with their diets. You should incorporate new foods with various colors, flavors, and textures to keep your budgie engaged.
Not all herbs are safe for your budgie. Some are toxic, making your budgie sick or causing digestive issues in the long run. So, it’s important to differentiate safe herbs from harmful ones, so your budgie can enjoy a treat without danger.
Here’s a list of safe herbs that budgies can eat without issue:
Oregano
Oregano is a flavorful herb from the mint family. It’s renowned for its potent medicinal properties and has been used to treat various health conditions since time immemorial.
This herbaceous plant is rich in antioxidants that can enhance your budgie’s immune system and prevent oxidative stress. Oregano also has antibacterial properties, which help to prevent food spoilage.
Coriander
Coriander is an aromatic Mediterranean herb renowned for its spicy, citrus-like flavor. All parts of the plant are edible, but your budgie will enjoy eating the leaves, roots, and seeds.
The plant has several health benefits, rich in antioxidants and various vitamins. It contains vitamins A, C, E, and K, which are essential for bone development and regeneration.
Coriander also has antibacterial properties that can help prevent and treat bacterial infections.
Rosemary
The rosemary plant is another top pick for budgies. The herb has a bitter but warm taste and comes packed with various nutrients, including iron and vitamins A, C, and B6.
These can boost the circulatory and immune systems of budgies. Rosemary is also known for its antibacterial and antioxidant properties. If you notice your budgie has digestive issues or loss of appetite, consider incorporating some rosemary into its diet.
Thyme
Thyme is an herbal plant used for dietary and medicinal purposes. This aromatic herb can help fight infections, boost the immune system, and deal with respiratory problems in birds.
You can feed your budgie either fresh or dried thyme. You can also mix it with pieces of carrots, corn, lavender, sweet potato, cabbage, or cauliflower to make a savory dish for your budgie.
Basil
If you notice that your budgie is sickly, consider giving it basil.
This antibacterial herb is best known for its anti-inflammatory properties. It’s also rich in vitamin A, C, and manganese, which can help boost your budgie’s immune system.
Basil even comes in various types and textures. These include the following:
- Sweet basil
- Thai basil
- Genovese basil
- Napoletano basil
- Lettuce leaf basil
Dill
The dill plant is a long, stringy, and feathery herb rich in flavonoids that are good for your budgie’s health. The herb has high amounts of fiber to help prevent digestion issues and boost bowel health.
The dill herb is a rich source of calcium for healthy bones. It also has vitamin A, vitamin C, manganese, and plenty of antioxidants to deal with oxidative stress.
Parsley
Parsley has a rich flavor and is nutritious, as it contains vitamins A, C, and K. It also has several important minerals, including calcium, iron, potassium, and magnesium.
Even though parsley is a safe herb for birds, it’s mildly toxic, so you should only give your pet small quantities of the plant. It’s not harmful as a treat but can lead to digestive issues if given as a meal staple.
Peppermint
Peppermint is an herb that combines water mint and spearmint. Like most mint plants, it’s safe for your budgie to eat. The herb has a more intense flavor and aroma when combined with other mints.
Peppermint contains several important nutrients and minerals, such as:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Copper
- Potassium
- Manganese
- Niacin
- Phosphorous
- Iron
Feeding your budgie peppermint can help with indigestion and improve bowel health.
Star Anise
Star anise is an herb extracted from the Chinese evergreen tree.
It comes in the form of star-shaped seed pods, hence its name. The herb has a sweet-licorice-peppery flavor that your pet budgie might find irresistible.
Star anise can treat digestive issues, fungal infections, and respiratory diseases in birds. Even though this herb is less common, you can find it in most pet shops and supermarkets.
Dandelion
Dandelion is an herb with origins in Europe. Most parts of the plant, including the roots, leaves, and flowers, are edible. So, you can give it to your budgie without any issues.
The herb contains high amounts of prebiotic fiber, which can prevent and treat digestive problems like constipation. Dandelion prevents obesity in birds, making it the ideal supplement for heavy budgies.
Ginger
Ginger is a more common herb renowned for its spicy and aromatic flavor. The herb has several essential nutrients and minerals, including:
- Vitamin B
- Vitamin C
- Thiamine
- Iron
- Phosphorous
- Calcium
It contains loads of antioxidants that prevent oxidative stress. If your budgie has digestive issues, include a few pieces of ginger in its chop. Also, ginger reduces nausea and fights flu in birds.
Bay Leaf
Bay leaf, also known as laurel leaf, is an extract from the bay tree.
Even though the leaf has a bitter taste with a hint of mint, your budgie will love eating it. Bay leaf is best served dried to ensure your budgie enjoys its intense, distinctive flavor.
The leaf is a rich source of:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin B6
- Zinc
- Calcium
- Iron
- Manganese
These nutrients can help boost your budgie’s immune system, ease digestive problems, and relieve a stuffy nose.
Ceylon Cinnamon
There are two types of cinnamon, including ceylon cinnamon and cassia cinnamon. While ceylon cinnamon is safe for birds, cassia or Chinese cinnamon can be toxic.
Ceylon cinnamon has loads of antioxidants and is a rich source of manganese. It also contains essential nutrients, including vitamins and minerals that are vital for your budgie’s growth and development.
Cloves
Cloves contain high amounts of antioxidants that can prevent oxidative stress in birds. They’re low in calories and rich in manganese, making them ideal herbs for overweight budgies.
Cloves have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. They can regulate glucose levels and prevent hyperglycemia in birds. They can even fight free radicals and improve liver function.
St. John’s Wort
If you notice your budgies are stressed, consider giving them St. John’s Wort.
This shrub-like herb is an antidepressant and can help fight stress and mood disorders. The plant is effective for treating mild to moderate depression in birds.
Lavender
Lavender is an herb with origins in North Africa and is a member of the mint family.
Even though the plant is commonly known as a fragrance, the leaves and flowers are edible. You can feed your budgie lavender without any concerns.
Like most other herbs, lavender is nutritious, but it’s best known for its medicinal value. Incorporating a few bits of lavender in your budgie’s meal can help fight stress and depression.
Lemongrass
Lemongrass is an herb native to South Asia and Australia, where budgies also come from.
This herb is non-toxic and safe for budgies. It’s best served fresh, and you can mix it with other herbs or plants to give your budgie a delicious and flavorsome meal.
This grass is renowned for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. A diet of lemongrass and other herbs can protect your budgie’s stomach lining and ease digestive issues.
Fennel
Fennel is a safe, non-toxic, and flavorful herb ideal for budgies.
The plant is a native of Europe, North Africa, and western Asia. It often comes in the form of seeds, but its stem and bulbs are also edible. Its crunchy texture makes funnel a favorite for most birds.
Fennel contains high amounts of fiber that assist with digestion. It’s also a rich source of vitamin A, vitamin C, magnesium, and iron.
Can Budgies Eat Dried Herbs?
Budgies prefer fresh herbs but won’t mind eating dried herbs once in a while. Give your budgie small amounts of dried herbs since over-indulgence can irritate their digestive system.
Dried herbs have a more intense flavor than fresh herbs. According to BMC Complementary Alternative Medicine, parsley contains Petroselinum crispum, which is a compound that can prevent a budgie from absorbing calcium if consumed in large quantities.
Dried herbs to feed your budgie include basil, oregano, rosemary, sage, thyme, and tarragon. These herbs add flavor and variety to your budgie’s meals.
Can Budgies Eat Herbs?
Budgies can eat a wide range of herbs, either fresh or dried.
Herbs like basil, oregano, parsley, and cloves are high in fiber, which is good for digestion and bowel health. Also, herbs prevent various avian diseases and provide anti-inflammatory properties.
According to North Carolina State University, feeding budgies aromatic herbs like rosemary, lavender, lemon balm, and peppermint can enable them to become better parents.
The presence of herbs in their nest leads to improved parenting behaviors. So, if you intend to breed budgies, be sure to incorporate herbs into their diet.
