Why

Carrot is an excellent everyday vegetable for budgies and one of the best sources of beta-carotene, which their bodies convert to vitamin A for healthy skin, feathers and eyes. It is crunchy, low in sugar for a root vegetable and safe raw. The leafy carrot tops are also nutritious and safe, so do not throw them away, and their crunch gives a budgie something satisfying to work at.

How to feed it

Wash it, then grate it or cut thin matchsticks so a small beak can manage it; raw keeps the most nutrients. You can also clip a thin round to the cage bars. Chopped carrot tops can be offered alongside the root. Remove any uneaten fresh food after a few hours.

How much & how often

A teaspoon or two of grated carrot several times a week is ideal, and it can feature in the daily vegetable mix. Being low in sugar, it does not need to be as strictly limited as fruit.