Why

Strawberries are a bright, hydrating treat that many budgies enjoy pecking at, and they provide vitamin C, manganese and antioxidants. Like all fruit they are sugary, so portions stay small. Strawberries are also commonly sprayed and often top pesticide-residue lists, which makes a thorough wash, or buying organic, especially worthwhile for a bird as small and sensitive as a budgie.

How to feed it

Wash the strawberry well under running water, remove the green leafy top, and cut a thin slice or a small piece with a little of the surface seeds. Offer it in a shallow dish or clip a slice to the bars. Remove any uneaten fruit within a couple of hours.

How much & how often

A small piece, roughly the size of your fingernail, two or three times a week is ample. Because of the sugar, keep strawberry as an occasional treat rather than a daily food.