This Is the Best Seed Mix I Feed My Parrots Every Day – And Why It’s Part of Their Parrot Foods

Hello pet lovers! Welcome to my latest blog post.

In my previous blog, I explained what a balanced diet looks like for parrots — what to give, how often, and the mistakes I made as a beginner bird owner. If you missed it, please take a moment to read it here: Best Parrot Food.

Today, we’re focusing on something very basic yet very important: seed mix. Just like roti or rice is the base of our meals, seed mix is the foundation of a parrot’s daily diet. Sadly, many people don’t take it seriously and feed whatever is easily available without knowing what should or shouldn’t be included. I’ve made the same mistake in the past, and I paid the price for it.

So in this blog, I’ll share why seed mix matters, what it should include, and a few things I wish someone had told me earlier. Most importantly, I’ll also show you the seed mix I personally feed my parrots every single day — and why it’s become a key part of their daily parrot foods.

Why I Switched to a Custom Parrot Seed Mix

For a long time, I used to feed my parrots seed mixes that I bought directly from local shops — open, pre-mixed, and displayed in plastic jars or bags. Honestly, I didn’t know any better. Many shopkeepers keep old mixes full of dust, broken shells, and even random bits of trash. I also tried a few packed seed mixes once, but they were just average — not worth the price or trust.

Then one day, someone in my neighborhood who is very experienced in birds (and even keeps a parrot lover’s setup) gave me a valuable reality check. He explained how these open seed mixes can be dangerous for parrots and offered to help. Now every month, he gets a fresh, high-quality mix made in front of him at a trusted shop and delivers it to me.

Since then, my parrots’ health has improved noticeably. Their feathers look brighter, their energy is better, and they rarely fall sick. And this change didn’t come from medicines — it came from simply switching to a clean, properly selected seed mix.

What Seeds I Include in My Parrot Mix (With Pictures)

Every parrot owner asks this one big question: “What exactly should go into a parrot seed mix?” So today, I’ll show you what seeds I personally include in the mix I feed to my birds every day. This mix is loved by my cockatiels, ringnecks, alexandrines, budgies, sun conures, and even Java birds — they all eat from the same tray, happily!

I have a large colony-style setup where all my parrots live together peacefully. Each species has its own space or nesting area, but they share the same environment during the day. I give them one seed mix daily — and surprisingly, there’s no fighting! Even my pigeons pick from this mix and eat what they like.

Here’s what I include in my daily parrot seed mix:

• Sunflower seeds – limited quantity, for energy and taste
• Safflower seeds – a healthier, low-fat option
• White and red millet – easy to digest and parrots love it
• Canary seeds – small but full of nutrients
• Paddy rice (with husk) – good roughage, natural choice

All these seeds are cleaned properly and mixed fresh every month. I never buy ready-made seed mix packs anymore.

You can also read this trusted guide on seed nutrition to understand why seed quality and balance matter so much. I followed a similar method when improving my own birds’ diet.

Sunflower Seeds – How Much Is Too Much?

Sunflower seeds are the favorite of almost every parrot — and I totally get why. They’re crunchy, tasty, and parrots go crazy over them. But just like kids love junk food, parrots also don’t know when to stop. That’s why it’s our responsibility to control how much we give.

In my personal seed mix, I do include sunflower seeds for parrots, but in a very limited quantity. Too much can cause weight gain, liver issues, and even addictive behavior where your bird refuses to eat anything else.

I usually add just a small handful per kilo of seed mix. It’s enough to give them taste and happiness — but not enough to harm their health.

Many beginner owners think sunflower seeds are healthy just because birds love them. But no, they are very high in fat and should only be treated as a small part of parrot foods, not the main meal.

If you’ve been feeding sunflower in large amounts, don’t worry — just reduce the quantity slowly. Parrots adjust quickly if the rest of the mix is tasty and clean.

Also, make sure you're using the good quality, striped or black oil-free sunflower seeds — not the ones that look old or full of dust.

Safflower Seeds – A Healthier Alternative to Sunflower?

If you’re looking for a seed that’s similar to sunflower but healthier — safflower seeds for parrots are the answer. They have a similar crunch and size, but they are lower in fat and help maintain a balanced diet.

I include safflower seeds in my mix in larger quantity than sunflower seeds. My parrots like them, and they’re easier to digest. Safflower also helps control aggressive behavior in some birds, which I’ve personally noticed in my ringnecks and cockatiels.

These seeds also don’t attract pests as much and don’t go stale easily, which is a bonus when storing large batches of seed mix.

Millet for Parrots – White vs Red and What I Prefer

White and red millet are both excellent choices for parrots. They’re light, easy to eat, and suitable for both small and large parrots. In my experience, cockatiels and budgies especially love millet.

I include both types in my mix. White millet is softer and sweeter, while red millet is slightly harder and more energizing. You can easily find them in local bird markets. Just make sure they’re clean and not dusty.

I prefer to keep their quantity generous in my seed mix — it gives variety and keeps the mix filling without making it too oily.

Canary Seeds – Tiny but Nutrient-Rich

Canary seeds are very small, but don’t underestimate them. These seeds are full of protein and help with feather health and energy. I use them not just for canaries but for all my parrots, including Alexandrine and Sun Conure.

They also digest easily and parrots can pick them quickly from the tray, so they’re always the first to finish!

I always make sure to include a good amount of canary seeds in every kilo of my parrot seed mix. It balances out the fat from larger seeds and adds a soft texture to the overall mix.

Paddy Rice – Safe or Risky for Daily Parrot Diet?

This one surprises a lot of people — but yes, paddy rice for parrots is safe when used correctly. I always include long-grain, unpolished paddy (with husk) in my mix. It acts as roughage and also gives them chewing activity.

Parrots don’t eat it like soft food. They usually peel the husk and play with it too. It helps with their beak strength and keeps them engaged during feeding time.

I recommend keeping this seed type in moderate quantity. Don’t make it the main part of the mix, but use it as an enrichment element.

Is This Mix Safe for All Types of Parrots?

This is the most common question I get from bird lovers: “Can I give this same seed mix to all parrot species?” And the answer is yes — but with care.

I feed this seed mix to all of my birds: cockatiels, ringnecks, budgies, sun conures, Alexandrines, and Java birds. They all eat from the same tray, and since the mix is well-balanced, they naturally choose what they need most.

Some parrots eat more millet, while others go for safflower or sunflower. The key is to keep the seed mix clean, fresh, and not oily. Make sure it contains both small and medium-sized seeds so birds of all beak sizes can enjoy it easily.

So yes, this seed mix is safe for all types of parrots — just make sure your birds are not overfed, and you combine it with soft food and multivitamins for a balanced parrot foods routine.

If you want a full feeding schedule and complete diet plan, I’ve shared it in this detailed post: What Do Parrots Eat?

Can Pigeons Eat the Same Seed Mix?

I get this question a lot, especially from people who keep pigeons and parrots together like I do. The answer is: yes, but partially.

Pigeons don’t eat all the seeds that parrots do. For example, they don’t usually touch canary seeds or red millet. But they do enjoy sunflower, white millet, and paddy rice. That’s why in my setup, my pigeons simply pick their favorite seeds from the same mix and leave the rest.

This makes feeding time super easy because I don’t need two different mixes. However, I do give pigeons their own grains separately once a day to keep things balanced.

So yes, your pigeons can eat from this mix — just make sure they’re also getting their own nutritional needs fulfilled separately.

What About Pellets? Why I Don’t Use Them Yet

Pellets are often recommended by vets and professional breeders, and I’m not saying they’re wrong. But I personally don’t use parrot pellets in my seed mix — and here’s why.

First, I believe in natural food. Seeds, fruits, soft food, and vegetables are what parrots eat in the wild. Second, many pellets in the local market contain artificial colors and preservatives, and that’s not something I want in my parrots’ daily routine.

If you find a trusted, vet-approved pellet brand with clear ingredients, you can offer it in rotation — maybe once a week. But for daily use, my parrots thrive on natural food, and I’ve seen amazing results without using pellets at all.

Also, some parrots reject pellets completely if they’ve grown up on seed mix. So if you’re planning to try, introduce slowly and observe.

Branded or Local? My Honest Advice on Buying Seed Mix

This is something I’ve learned the hard way — not all seed mixes are safe, whether they’re branded or local. I’ve tried both, and honestly, neither worked for me in the beginning. The packed seed mix I bought from a well-known shop was full of dust, broken pieces, and didn’t look fresh at all.

Later, I started using local open mixes from bird shops. But again, most of them were stored in open boxes, exposed to air, light, and sometimes even insects. That’s when one of my bird expert neighbors helped me find a better solution.

Now I get the mix made fresh every month, in front of someone I trust. I check the seeds myself — they’re clean, dust-free, and look shiny and healthy. I recommend you do the same: if you’re buying local, choose a clean and trusted shop. And always ask them to make the seed mix in your presence instead of buying pre-packed bags.

And if you prefer a branded product, make sure it includes the same types of seeds I’ve listed above. The mix should be balanced — not full of sunflower seeds, not oily, and definitely not expired.

Seed mix is not something to experiment with. It’s the daily base of your parrot foods, so choose carefully and observe how your birds react to it.

For more info on safe bird food and ingredients, you can also visit this vet-backed resource for reference.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any questions, suggestions, or feedback related to parrot seed mix or feeding routine, feel free to email me at writersdesk81@gmail.com. I personally read and reply to all emails — usually within 24 hours.