About feeding a macaw
Macaws are the giants of the parrot world — powerful, long-lived and needing more dietary fat than smaller parrots, which makes their nut ration a genuine part of the diet rather than pure treat.
How much should a macaw eat?
Calorie needs use the veterinary formula 129 × weight(kg)0.75 (the Resting Energy Requirement), multiplied by a lifestyle factor of ×1 for a typical bird at the life stage shown. Enter your own animal's details in the calculator for an exact figure.
| Body weight | Daily calories |
|---|---|
| 900 g | 119 kcal |
| 986 g | 128 kcal |
| 1.071 kg | 136 kcal |
| 1.157 kg | 144 kcal |
| 1.243 kg | 152 kcal |
| 1.329 kg | 160 kcal |
| 1.414 kg | 167 kcal |
| 1.5 kg | 175 kcal |
What to feed
A formulated pellet base with vegetables, some fruit, and a meaningful (but still measured) portion of nuts, reflecting their naturally higher-fat wild diet.
How often to feed
Offer fresh pellets, chopped produce and a measured nut ration daily.
Frequently asked questions
Do macaws need more fat than other parrots?
Yes — macaws evolved eating fatty nuts and palm fruits, so a modest daily nut ration is appropriate as part of a pellet-and-vegetable diet, unlike smaller parrots where nuts are strictly treats.
How much should I feed my bird?
It depends on species: a budgie (30 g) eats roughly 5-8 g of food a day, a cockatiel (90 g) around 8-12 g, and larger parrots proportionally more. Offer measured pellets plus fresh veg and weigh your bird weekly.
Are seeds bad for pet birds?
Seeds aren't toxic, but as a staple they're too fatty and lack vitamins A and calcium. Use them as a small treat and make formulated pellets and vegetables the base of the diet.