Why

Plain cooked pasta is a safe, harmless starchy treat that many budgies enjoy nibbling and even playing with. It is mostly carbohydrate with modest nutrition, so it sits firmly in the occasional-treat category rather than the daily diet. Wholemeal pasta is a slightly better choice than white thanks to its extra fibre. As with most human foods, the key is serving it completely plain, since the sauces, salt, oil and cheese that usually accompany pasta are the parts that make it unsuitable for a little bird.

How to feed it

Boil the pasta in plain water with no salt or oil, then drain, rinse and let it cool fully. Cut it into small, budgie-sized pieces so there is no choking risk, and offer it loose in a dish. Never add sauce, butter, cheese or seasoning. Remove any uneaten pasta within a couple of hours as it spoils quickly.

How much & how often

A small piece or two of cooled plain pasta, around a teaspoon in total, once or twice a week. It is a light extra, so keep portions small and do not let it displace fresh vegetables or the staple diet.