A complete list of foods Myna birds can eat (and what shouldn’t)

Pet owners usually assume that they are feeding their birds appropriately with adequate vitamins and minerals, but in reality, they don’t. 

Every individual who is aspiring to own a myna bird has to know the necessary details about them and their eating habits, what they eat, and what they shouldn’t…… let’s explore.

The Myna Bird, The Sturnidae family member (starlings and Myna) bird named Myna, sometimes spelled Mynah, is an open forest omnivorous bird with a solid territorial instinct that has adjusted exceptionally well to metropolitan conditions. 

These Myna birds have a small digestive tract, so they eat a lot and frequently have free droppings.

They usually eat a tremendous assortment of organic products like fruits, vegetables, and insects like larva, grasshoppers, crickets, eggs, pests, etc. 

Myna birds require a legitimate parity of proteins, fats, nutrients, minerals, and plenty of water in their diet for their well-being.

What fruits does Myna bird eat and safe for them?

Myna birds’ diet should be rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and the right amount of carbohydrates, which are plentiful in fruits. They are even low in fats. 

Fruits should not be their complete meal; it should comprise of 15-30% of the regular diet. Below is a list of fruits Myna can eat: 

Always remember they are allergic to pesticides and chemicals, so they have to be fed fresh and clean fruits. Chopped or smashed pieces make sense for them to prevent choking and avoid added preservatives.

What vegetables does Myna eat and safe for them?

Offering organic vegetables are essential to birds to satisfy their nutritional needs. Birds with a calcium deficiency can benefit from eating vegetables. 

Especially carrots high in vitamin A aids your bird’s eye health and veggies are stuffed with antioxidants that can boost birds’ immune system. Some of the vegetables that are safer for pets are,

• Leftover baked potato
• Sweet potato
• Kale
• Tomatoes
• Leafy veggies 
• Lettuce
• Carrots
• Broccoli
• Peas
• Sprouts

Feeding cooked or boiled veggies is a treat to birds as it very soft and good for their health. A thorough cleans of veggies and slicing into small pieces while giving them is important.

Fresh vegetables constitute vitamins A, B, C, and K, which is essential to birds.

What insects do myna birds eat?

Myna birds benefit a lot of health-wise by eating insects. Insects are a good source of nutrition to them and very in calories. Insects consumption can satisfy the protein needs of birds. 

Myna birds also have a tag as “farmer friend” as they regularly enjoy eating flies and insects out of agricultural crops and indirectly protects it. 

Some of the favorite insects for myna birds to eat are,

• Grasshopper
• Flies
• Crickets
• Caterpillars
• Leafhoppers
• Beetles
• Larvae
• Moths
• Aphids
• weevils

What are the other food alternatives to Myna?     

Some foods that humans eat can also be fed to myna birds and enjoy eating it. Protein-rich food with fewer calories is advisable for providing them.

• Boiled egg
• Bread
• Millet
• Peanut butter
• Finely chopped cheese
• Pellets
• Baby rodents
• Small snakes
• Cooked rice
• Cooked pasta
• Lentils
• Fish
• Tiny reptiles

Avoid the addition of salts, sugar, sauces, and oil while you feed these alternatives because it is hard for them to process. Dry food and frozen foods can also be served to them.

Keep in mind any of these foods should not be a replacement for myna bird diet; instead, make it a part of their diet and be cautious about the quantity of food.

What nuts can myna birds eat?

Some variety of Nuts have a high level of energy rich oils and rich sources of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that keep your bird fit and healthy.

Essential nutrients like manganese, copper, Vitamin E, Omega-3, and dietary fiber are stuffed in nuts. Prefer unsalted nuts and not roasted nuts in their serve.

• Almonds
• Walnuts
• Hazelnuts
• Cashew nuts
• Acorns
• Beechnuts

Apart from health benefits, the pet owner must be aware of moderation and risks in providing nuts. Nuts are high in fat and can lead to nutritional deficiencies if many nuts are given in their diet.

What foods are toxic for myna birds?

Some of the toxic foods to be avoided are as follows,

• Avocado
• Peach
• Garden rhubarb
• Red meat
• Chocolates
• Spinach
• Onions 
• Raisins
• Alcohol

Avocado contains the chemical persin in it, which is harmful to Myna. Iron-rich foods like red meat, spinach, and raisins should be avoided as birds are prone to iron storage disease, leading to their death.

Salad ingredients can aid in digestive problems, so cut off from their food. Chocolates can be causing vomiting and diarrhea in birds.

What foods are not toxic for Myna to eat but not recommended?

Peanuts – Aflatoxin in present in raw peanuts that is dangerous for myna bird liver. Peanuts are known as a good source of protein and vitamin E, but poor storage of peanuts can have mold on them and causes fungus harmful for birds.

Dairy products – The lactose present in the dairy products is not toxic but not recommended for birds; it may even cause diarrhea.  

Mushrooms – Mushrooms contain Hydrazine, which can potentially cause gastrointestinal upset, and also some mushrooms are a type of fungus which may lead to liver failure.

Grit – Grit is mostly an undigestible material, but they like to get fed in large amounts. So have a glance at the quantity.

Sugary foods – High concentration of sugar causes serious health problems such as hearing-related risks, weight gain, and diabetes in the bird. 

What are tips to follow while feeding your bird?

• Feed your bird food only in small or when chopped into pieces to avoid the choking problem.
• Birds should be fed in small quantities.
• Always clean and serve the food to them.
• Please don’t give any salty or sugary food though they like it a lot.
• Cooked food should not be served as it is let it get cooled down entirely and then offer food.
• Provide a variety of food instead of a regular meal so that diet becomes so interesting for them.

What is the eating frequency for myna bird?

Complete food details for baby myna

According to Age of myna birds, What to feed?

Feeding frequency

Adult bird diet

Sattu pellets, cooked rice, dal, sprouts, lettuce, millet sprouts, fenugreek leaves, etc. are essential to feed

Feed them whenever they are hungry but in minimal amounts. 3-4 feeds are minimum necessary in a day.