The Importance of Vitamin A in Pet Birds

Vitamin A plays an important role in maintaining a healthy lining in the respiratory, urinary, and intestinal tracts. Unfortunately for birds, all-seed diets are deficient in vitamin A, and vitamin A deficiency may be associated with poor immune function and a breakdown in these linings, allowing bacteria and other pathogens to enter the body and cause infections like sinusitis. 

Dietary carotenoids found in dark, leafy greens as well as yellow and orange vegetables serve as a source of “pre-vitamin A”. 

Broccoli “Carrots Chard Chicory Collard Greens Dandelion Greens Kale Mustard Greens Parsley	Peas Peppers: red, green, hot Pumpkin Spinach Squash *Sweet Potato Turnip Greens Watercress
* Particularly rich sources of vitamin A

 

Fruits rich in vitamin A include apricot, cantaloupe, mango, and papaya. Keep in mind that the apricot pit contains cyanide. 

** The blue- green algae, Spirulina, can also serve  as a source of vitamin A. 
 

Orlando Diaz-Figueroa, DVM, MS, Dipl. ABVP (Avian Specialty)
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