Bright red, dried and pretty spicy to our human taste buds... a chili pepper might not seem like the first ingredient you’d reach for to give your parrot.
Still, birds are much less sensitive to the substance that makes chili so hot. So dried chili peppers add not only color to the food bowl, but also a whole different taste, smell and texture to explore.
Why can birds handle chili?
The spicy taste of chili is caused by capsaicin. In mammals, this substance activates receptors that cause that familiar burning sensation.
Birds are much less sensitive to it. Their reaction to capsaicin differs greatly from that of humans and other mammals. That’s why you’ll also see birds in the wild eating peppers that we’d probably try very cautiously at first.
Of course, that doesn’t mean chili peppers are a contest to see who can eat the most... a small piece is enough to add something completely different to the food bowl.
That red color is natural
Dried red chili peppers naturally contain various carotenoids. These plant pigments contribute to the ripe pepper’s red color.
Dried chili also naturally contains vitamin A in the form of carotenoids, vitamin C, fiber and various minerals.
No red coloring added... the pepper does it all by itself.
Dried means concentrated
Fresh chili peppers still contain quite a lot of moisture. During drying, much of it disappears, leaving the natural carbohydrates, fiber, protein and other nutrients more concentrated per 100 grams.
That’s why we’re using the average nutritional values for dried chili peppers below, rather than those for fresh peppers.
100 grams sounds impressive, of course... but you only use a small portion of that in the food bowl. The table is mainly intended to show what the product naturally contains.
A pepper is also just something to pick apart
A dried chili pepper isn't just made up of flesh. It has a stem, its thin dried wall has a texture all its own, and inside are the seeds.
That gives a curious beak plenty to investigate. Nibble off a piece, turn the pepper over, pick out a seed... or simply decide the whole thing needs to be taken to a favorite perch first.
What comes back from that is, of course, entirely up to the local quality control department.
Pure dried chili
Our chili peppers are offered pure, with no salt, sugar, flavorings, or other additives. Simply 100% dried red chili peppers for human consumption.
You can place a small piece among other natural foods, use the pepper during foraging, or alternate it with other dried vegetables.
Average nutritional values per 100 g
Energy 1356 kJ / 324 kcal | Fat 5.8 g | Of which saturated 0.8 g | Carbohydrates 70 g | Of which sugars 41 g | Fiber 29 g | Protein 11 g | Vitamin A 1324 µg RAE | Vitamin C 31 mg | Potassium 1870 mg | Magnesium 88 mg | Phosphorus 159 mg
Typical nutritional values for sun-dried chili peppers. Exact composition may vary depending on the Capsicum species, harvest, ripeness, and drying process.
Ingredients
100% dried red chili peppers (Capsicum spp.) for human consumption.
Usage and feeding advice
Offer as part of a varied parrot diet. Give a small piece or a whole pepper depending on the size of your bird, mix some chili in with other natural ingredients, or use the pepper during foraging time.
Storage advice
Store in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed package, preferably below 13 °C.
Available in
25 g and 50 g.
Would you like to offer even more colors, flavors, and textures? Then also check out our dried vegetables for parrots and parakeets.
