Quinoa Seeds

Quinoa is the seed of a plant native to the Andes region of South America, particularly Bolivia and Peru. Although it resembles a grain, it is technically a seed, and has long been celebrated as a superfood known as “the golden grain of the Incas.”

Suitable for a wide range of birds, including finch, budgerigars, cockatiels, and medium- to large-sized parrots.

Because it is unclear whether this is suitable for lories and lorikeets, please use your own discretion when offering it.

Other small animals may be able to enjoy these as well—please review the ingredients and use your discretion as the owner.

In bird nutrition, “whole foods” are ingredients that wild birds could obtain in nature—fresh vegetables and fruits, seeds, nuts, herbs, coconut, edible flowers, insects, and items that are soaked or sprouted. In short, foods you can recognize at a glance.

With the exception of processed products such as pellets, supplements, and bird cookies, most of these are considered whole foods. (Seeds count as whole foods, too.)

Soak in water for about 30 to 90 minutes.
Sprinkle over fresh vegetables.
Mix into your bird’s regular seed mix.
Use as part of a foraging setup.

You can use it just like other seeds.
These are not sprouting-grade seeds, so sprouting is not recommended.
Boiling or cooking is also not recommended.

It can be fed daily as long as the amount is appropriate. During molting, we recommend offering a slightly larger portion than usual.
This ingredient falls under the “Dried Foods” category shown in the upper-left. Please refer to the feeding amount chart below the graph and offer it as part of a variety of dried foods.

Avian experts recommend the following amounts as a general guideline:

Small parrots: 1 tablespoon
Medium parrots: 2 tablespoons
Large parrots: 3 tablespoons

Suggested routine:
In the morning, aim to offer foods with higher moisture content.

Morning: A variety of fresh, raw whole foods
Evening: Freeze-dried food

Pellets should make up no more than 30% of the total diet, or be used simply as treats.

Store at room temperature, away from heat and humidity. Once opened, use promptly; reseal the zipper tightly or transfer to an airtight container. For reference, our team keeps it in airtight jars from IKEA.

High in protein and provides all essential amino acids
Has an amino acid profile close to a complete protein
Rich in minerals
Supports gut health with dietary fiber

Even better when fed after soaking.

Please refer to this page.
Once opened, please use it as soon as possible, regardless of the best-before date.

USDA-certified.
Minimally processed, non-GMO, and gluten-free.

Q: Should I cook quinoa before feeding it?
A: No. Please do not heat or boil it. Offer it raw or soaked. For soaking instructions, please see our Soak Guide.

Q: Can I feed it even when my bird is not molting?
A: Yes. We recommend offering it daily, even outside the molting period, as long as the amount is appropriate.

Q: Are these safe for humans to eat?
A: Our shop is a Parrot Food Shop, and we sell this product specifically as bird food. Whether it is suitable for human consumption depends on the packaging and the manufacturer’s information you receive after purchase, so please make your own judgment.

The information on this page regarding nutrients, benefits, and other characteristics (including commonly stated effects) is provided as general, publicly known information about each ingredient. It does not guarantee any specific effects or results of this product.

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sets maximum “defect action levels” for incidental insect matter, and those limits vary by food type and manufacturing process. Because this product uses pesticide-free ingredients and contains no additives, incidental insects may occasionally be present. Insects associated with produce or herbs (i.e., whole foods) are a natural source of animal protein and are generally not harmful to birds; however, please remove them if you prefer. Returns or exchanges cannot be accepted for issues related to incidental insects.