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NEW ORLEANS (WGNO)-  Birds are smarter than you think- and more easily bored.  Dr. Gregory Rich, Director of West Esplanade Veterinary Clinic and Bird Hospital, shows you how to satisfy your bird’s nutritional needs in ways that will give the bird a challenge.

Lagniappe:

Dr. Rich gives bird owners with nutritional questions these tips.

–Don’t give birds sunflower seeds or peanuts.  Sunflower seeds and peanuts are both high in fat and low in vitamins.  Also, peanuts contain an ingredient that can be toxic.

–An optimal diet is ZuPreem or Harrison’s pellets, sold at the Clinic.

–Incorporate vegetables and a small amount of fruit into the diet daily.

–“Nutriberries” and almonds are good snacks.

–If you’re concerned about the bird’s diet, Dr. Rich recommends a blood test at the Clinic to assess the bird’s nutritional needs.