{
  "title": "Parrot Food Safety Dataset",
  "description": "Verdicts on whether a given food is safe, risky or toxic for parrots, with the reason, symptoms of poisoning and a safer alternative for each entry.",
  "source": "https://canparroteat.com/data",
  "homepage": "https://canparroteat.com",
  "license": "CC BY 4.0",
  "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "version": "2026-11-04",
  "updated": "2026-11-04",
  "counts": {
    "toxic": 18,
    "caution": 28,
    "safe": 40
  },
  "fields": {
    "slug": "stable URL slug, also the page path under /food/",
    "name": "common English name",
    "aliases": "alternative names and plural forms used by the site's search",
    "category": "food type (Fruit, Vegetable, Nut, ...)",
    "status": "safe | caution | toxic",
    "severity": "high | moderate | low | empty (empty when status is safe)",
    "verdict": "one-line answer shown as the page heading answer",
    "reason": "why, and which part of the food is the problem",
    "symptoms": "symptoms to watch for after ingestion (empty when safe)",
    "portion": "suggested serving size for a medium-sized parrot",
    "alternative": "slug of a safer substitute, empty when none",
    "url": "canonical page on canparroteat.com"
  },
  "foods": [
    {
      "slug": "avocado",
      "name": "Avocado",
      "aliases": [
        "avocados",
        "guacamole"
      ],
      "category": "Fruit",
      "status": "toxic",
      "severity": "high",
      "verdict": "No — avocado is one of the most dangerous foods for parrots.",
      "reason": "Avocado contains persin, a fungicidal toxin that damages heart and respiratory tissue in birds. Parrots are far more sensitive to it than mammals. The high fat content also risks pancreatitis.",
      "symptoms": [
        "labored breathing",
        "weakness",
        "fluffed feathers",
        "sudden death"
      ],
      "portion": "",
      "alternative": "papaya",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/avocado"
    },
    {
      "slug": "chocolate",
      "name": "Chocolate",
      "aliases": [
        "cocoa",
        "dark chocolate",
        "chocolate bar"
      ],
      "category": "Human snack",
      "status": "toxic",
      "severity": "high",
      "verdict": "No — chocolate is toxic to parrots in any amount.",
      "reason": "Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, both methylxanthines. Birds metabolize these very slowly, so even a small piece can cause seizures and heart arrhythmia. Dark and baking chocolate are the worst.",
      "symptoms": [
        "vomiting",
        "hyperactivity",
        "tremors",
        "seizures",
        "rapid heart rate"
      ],
      "portion": "",
      "alternative": "blueberries",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/chocolate"
    },
    {
      "slug": "caffeine",
      "name": "Caffeine",
      "aliases": [
        "coffee",
        "tea",
        "energy drink",
        "cola",
        "soda"
      ],
      "category": "Drink",
      "status": "toxic",
      "severity": "high",
      "verdict": "No — caffeine can stop a parrot's heart.",
      "reason": "Caffeine is a methylxanthine, the same family as theobromine in chocolate. A parrot's body weight is a fraction of a human's, so a few sips of coffee is a serious dose.",
      "symptoms": [
        "restlessness",
        "tremors",
        "arrhythmia",
        "collapse"
      ],
      "portion": "",
      "alternative": "",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/caffeine"
    },
    {
      "slug": "alcohol",
      "name": "Alcohol",
      "aliases": [
        "beer",
        "wine",
        "liquor",
        "ethanol"
      ],
      "category": "Drink",
      "status": "toxic",
      "severity": "high",
      "verdict": "No — never. Even fumes from a glass can affect a small bird.",
      "reason": "Birds lack the liver enzymes needed to break down ethanol efficiently. Very small volumes cause disorientation, and larger ones cause respiratory failure.",
      "symptoms": [
        "loss of balance",
        "disorientation",
        "vomiting",
        "respiratory depression"
      ],
      "portion": "",
      "alternative": "",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/alcohol"
    },
    {
      "slug": "onion",
      "name": "Onion",
      "aliases": [
        "onions",
        "shallot",
        "leek",
        "onion powder"
      ],
      "category": "Vegetable",
      "status": "toxic",
      "severity": "high",
      "verdict": "No — onions destroy red blood cells in birds.",
      "reason": "Alliums contain organosulfur compounds that cause Heinz body hemolytic anemia. Birds are more susceptible than cats and dogs. Onion powder is more concentrated than fresh onion.",
      "symptoms": [
        "pale beak or feet",
        "lethargy",
        "dark droppings",
        "breathing difficulty"
      ],
      "portion": "",
      "alternative": "bell-pepper",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/onion"
    },
    {
      "slug": "garlic",
      "name": "Garlic",
      "aliases": [
        "garlic powder",
        "garlic cloves"
      ],
      "category": "Vegetable",
      "status": "toxic",
      "severity": "high",
      "verdict": "No — garlic is more potent than onion for birds.",
      "reason": "Same allium mechanism as onion, but gram for gram the sulfur compounds are stronger. A single clove is a real dose for a small parrot.",
      "symptoms": [
        "anemia",
        "weakness",
        "pale mucous membranes",
        "reduced appetite"
      ],
      "portion": "",
      "alternative": "bell-pepper",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/garlic"
    },
    {
      "slug": "xylitol",
      "name": "Xylitol",
      "aliases": [
        "sugar free gum",
        "sugar free candy",
        "birch sugar",
        "sweetener"
      ],
      "category": "Additive",
      "status": "toxic",
      "severity": "high",
      "verdict": "No — xylitol causes sudden hypoglycemia and liver failure.",
      "reason": "Xylitol triggers a massive insulin release in birds, dropping blood sugar within 30 minutes, followed by liver damage. It hides in sugar-free gum, mints, peanut butter and baked goods.",
      "symptoms": [
        "collapse",
        "seizures",
        "vomiting",
        "jaundice"
      ],
      "portion": "",
      "alternative": "",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/xylitol"
    },
    {
      "slug": "salt",
      "name": "Salt",
      "aliases": [
        "salted snacks",
        "chips",
        "pretzels",
        "crackers"
      ],
      "category": "Human snack",
      "status": "toxic",
      "severity": "high",
      "verdict": "No — parrots need almost no sodium, and salt poisoning kills fast.",
      "reason": "A parrot's sodium requirement is tiny. Excess salt causes dehydration, kidney damage and CNS symptoms. Salty snacks also carry oil and additives.",
      "symptoms": [
        "excessive thirst",
        "tremors",
        "fluid in the lungs",
        "seizures"
      ],
      "portion": "",
      "alternative": "cucumber",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/salt"
    },
    {
      "slug": "apple-seeds",
      "name": "Apple seeds",
      "aliases": [
        "apple core",
        "fruit seeds",
        "pear seeds"
      ],
      "category": "Fruit",
      "status": "toxic",
      "severity": "high",
      "verdict": "No — the flesh is fine, but the seeds are not.",
      "reason": "Apple, pear and similar seeds contain amygdalin, which releases cyanide when crushed. A parrot's small body weight means even a few chewed seeds matter. Never give a whole apple core.",
      "symptoms": [
        "rapid breathing",
        "convulsions",
        "bright red mucous membranes",
        "collapse"
      ],
      "portion": "",
      "alternative": "apple",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/apple-seeds"
    },
    {
      "slug": "cherry-pits",
      "name": "Cherry pits",
      "aliases": [
        "stone fruit pit",
        "peach pit",
        "plum pit",
        "apricot pit"
      ],
      "category": "Fruit",
      "status": "toxic",
      "severity": "high",
      "verdict": "No — pits and kernels of stone fruit release cyanide.",
      "reason": "The pits of cherry, peach, plum and apricot contain cyanogenic glycosides. Chewing breaks them down into hydrogen cyanide. The fruit flesh itself is safe once pitted.",
      "symptoms": [
        "labored breathing",
        "weakness",
        "seizures",
        "collapse"
      ],
      "portion": "",
      "alternative": "mango",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/cherry-pits"
    },
    {
      "slug": "wild-mushrooms",
      "name": "Wild mushrooms",
      "aliases": [
        "mushrooms",
        "toadstool",
        "fungi"
      ],
      "category": "Vegetable",
      "status": "toxic",
      "severity": "high",
      "verdict": "No — never feed any mushroom you did not buy from a grocery store.",
      "reason": "Several common species are hepatotoxic to birds and the margin between a harmless and a fatal dose is unknown for parrots. Identification errors are common even for humans.",
      "symptoms": [
        "vomiting",
        "diarrhea",
        "liver failure",
        "seizures"
      ],
      "portion": "",
      "alternative": "broccoli",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/wild-mushrooms"
    },
    {
      "slug": "rhubarb-leaves",
      "name": "Rhubarb leaves",
      "aliases": [
        "rhubarb",
        "rhubarb stalk"
      ],
      "category": "Vegetable",
      "status": "toxic",
      "severity": "high",
      "verdict": "No — the leaves are high in oxalates that bind calcium.",
      "reason": "Rhubarb leaves contain soluble oxalic acid. In birds this causes calcium binding, kidney damage and acute hypocalcemia. The stalk is lower risk but still not recommended.",
      "symptoms": [
        "tremors",
        "weak bones",
        "blood in urine",
        "collapse"
      ],
      "portion": "",
      "alternative": "kale",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/rhubarb-leaves"
    },
    {
      "slug": "nutmeg",
      "name": "Nutmeg",
      "aliases": [
        "nutmeg powder",
        "spice"
      ],
      "category": "Spice",
      "status": "toxic",
      "severity": "high",
      "verdict": "No — nutmeg is neurotoxic to birds.",
      "reason": "Nutmeg contains myristicin, which causes hallucinations, tremors and liver damage. Small birds react to tiny amounts.",
      "symptoms": [
        "disorientation",
        "tremors",
        "rapid heart rate",
        "seizures"
      ],
      "portion": "",
      "alternative": "",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/nutmeg"
    },
    {
      "slug": "potato-greens",
      "name": "Potato leaves and green skin",
      "aliases": [
        "green potato",
        "potato sprouts",
        "potato plant"
      ],
      "category": "Vegetable",
      "status": "toxic",
      "severity": "high",
      "verdict": "No — greened skin, sprouts and leaves contain solanine.",
      "reason": "Solanine is a glycoalkaloid that causes gastrointestinal and neurological damage. Cooked white potato flesh is fine; anything green is not.",
      "symptoms": [
        "vomiting",
        "diarrhea",
        "weakness",
        "tremors"
      ],
      "portion": "",
      "alternative": "sweet-potato",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/potato-greens"
    },
    {
      "slug": "tomato-leaves",
      "name": "Tomato leaves and stems",
      "aliases": [
        "tomato plant",
        "tomato vine"
      ],
      "category": "Vegetable",
      "status": "toxic",
      "severity": "moderate",
      "verdict": "No — the leaves and stems are the toxic part, not the fruit.",
      "reason": "Tomato foliage contains solanine and tomatine. Ripe tomato fruit is safe in small amounts; leaves, stems and unripe green fruit are not.",
      "symptoms": [
        "drooling",
        "vomiting",
        "weakness",
        "irregular heartbeat"
      ],
      "portion": "",
      "alternative": "bell-pepper",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/tomato-leaves"
    },
    {
      "slug": "raw-kidney-beans",
      "name": "Raw beans",
      "aliases": [
        "kidney beans",
        "raw legumes",
        "dried beans"
      ],
      "category": "Legume",
      "status": "toxic",
      "severity": "high",
      "verdict": "No — raw kidney beans are genuinely poisonous.",
      "reason": "Raw legumes contain phytohemagglutinin (PHA), a lectin that damages the intestinal lining. Thorough cooking destroys it, but parrots should not get beans straight from the bag.",
      "symptoms": [
        "violent vomiting",
        "diarrhea",
        "lethargy",
        "dehydration"
      ],
      "portion": "",
      "alternative": "green-beans",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/raw-kidney-beans"
    },
    {
      "slug": "sugary-candy",
      "name": "Candy and sweets",
      "aliases": [
        "candy",
        "sweets",
        "cake",
        "cookie",
        "dessert"
      ],
      "category": "Human snack",
      "status": "toxic",
      "severity": "moderate",
      "verdict": "No — sugar loads the liver and feeds yeast infections.",
      "reason": "Parrots have no mechanism to handle concentrated sugar. It drives fatty liver disease, obesity and crop yeast overgrowth. Many sweets also contain chocolate or xylitol.",
      "symptoms": [
        "obesity",
        "fatty liver",
        "yeast infections",
        "hyperactivity"
      ],
      "portion": "",
      "alternative": "strawberries",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/sugary-candy"
    },
    {
      "slug": "fried-food",
      "name": "Fried food",
      "aliases": [
        "fries",
        "deep fried food",
        "fried chicken",
        "greasy food"
      ],
      "category": "Human snack",
      "status": "toxic",
      "severity": "moderate",
      "verdict": "No — fried food is a fast route to fatty liver disease.",
      "reason": "Parrots cannot process large fat loads. Fried food causes pancreatitis and hepatic lipidosis, two of the most common causes of premature death in pet parrots.",
      "symptoms": [
        "lethargy",
        "yellow droppings",
        "weight gain",
        "breathing difficulty"
      ],
      "portion": "",
      "alternative": "sweet-potato",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/fried-food"
    },
    {
      "slug": "dairy-milk",
      "name": "Milk",
      "aliases": [
        "dairy",
        "cream",
        "ice cream"
      ],
      "category": "Dairy",
      "status": "caution",
      "severity": "low",
      "verdict": "Not recommended — most adult parrots cannot digest lactose.",
      "reason": "Birds lose lactase activity as they mature. Milk causes loose droppings and digestive upset. Small amounts of plain yogurt or hard cheese are tolerated better than liquid milk.",
      "symptoms": [
        "watery droppings",
        "crop discomfort"
      ],
      "portion": "Avoid liquid milk entirely. Small pieces of plain yogurt are acceptable occasionally.",
      "alternative": "papaya",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/dairy-milk"
    },
    {
      "slug": "cheese",
      "name": "Cheese",
      "aliases": [
        "cheddar",
        "hard cheese",
        "parmesan"
      ],
      "category": "Dairy",
      "status": "caution",
      "severity": "low",
      "verdict": "Tiny amounts only — cheese is salt and fat, not food.",
      "reason": "Hard cheese is lower in lactose than milk, so a pea-sized piece will not usually cause illness, but it delivers salt and saturated fat with almost no nutritional value.",
      "symptoms": [
        "none expected at a pea-sized amount",
        "weight gain with regular feeding"
      ],
      "portion": "At most a pea-sized piece, no more than once a week.",
      "alternative": "egg",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/cheese"
    },
    {
      "slug": "bread",
      "name": "Bread",
      "aliases": [
        "toast",
        "white bread",
        "bakery bread"
      ],
      "category": "Grain",
      "status": "caution",
      "severity": "low",
      "verdict": "Occasionally OK — but it fills the stomach with nothing.",
      "reason": "Plain bread is not toxic, but it is refined starch with salt. It displaces real food and offers no micronutrients. Mouldy bread is a separate and serious risk.",
      "symptoms": [
        "weight gain",
        "reduced appetite for real food"
      ],
      "portion": "A thumbnail-sized piece of plain bread, rarely. Never mouldy bread.",
      "alternative": "oats",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/bread"
    },
    {
      "slug": "fruit-juice",
      "name": "Fruit juice",
      "aliases": [
        "orange juice",
        "apple juice",
        "juice"
      ],
      "category": "Drink",
      "status": "caution",
      "severity": "low",
      "verdict": "Skip it — juice is sugar water without the fibre.",
      "reason": "Juice concentrates fruit sugar and strips the fibre that slows absorption. Regular juice feeding is linked to fatty liver and yeast problems. Whole fruit is always better.",
      "symptoms": [
        "loose droppings",
        "weight gain",
        "yeast overgrowth"
      ],
      "portion": "Not recommended. Give the whole fruit instead.",
      "alternative": "apple",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/fruit-juice"
    },
    {
      "slug": "grapes",
      "name": "Grapes",
      "aliases": [
        "raisins",
        "grape"
      ],
      "category": "Fruit",
      "status": "caution",
      "severity": "low",
      "verdict": "Small amounts are fine — raisins are the problem.",
      "reason": "Grapes are not known to be toxic to parrots the way they are to dogs, but they are high in sugar and low in nutrients. Raisins concentrate that sugar and stick to the beak.",
      "symptoms": [
        "none expected in moderation",
        "loose droppings if overfed"
      ],
      "portion": "1–2 grapes, cut in quarters, as an occasional treat.",
      "alternative": "blueberries",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/grapes"
    },
    {
      "slug": "peanuts",
      "name": "Peanuts",
      "aliases": [
        "peanut",
        "roasted peanuts",
        "monkey nuts"
      ],
      "category": "Nut",
      "status": "caution",
      "severity": "moderate",
      "verdict": "Rarely — high fat, and a real aflatoxin risk.",
      "reason": "Peanuts are around 50% fat by weight, which is far too rich for a parrot's liver. Poorly stored peanuts can also carry Aspergillus mould producing aflatoxin, a liver carcinogen.",
      "symptoms": [
        "weight gain",
        "fatty liver",
        "lethargy"
      ],
      "portion": "One unsalted nut as a training reward, no more than a few times a week. Never from a bulk bin.",
      "alternative": "almonds",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/peanuts"
    },
    {
      "slug": "dog-food",
      "name": "Dog and cat food",
      "aliases": [
        "dog food",
        "cat food",
        "pet food",
        "kibble"
      ],
      "category": "Other pet food",
      "status": "caution",
      "severity": "moderate",
      "verdict": "No — it is formulated for a completely different animal.",
      "reason": "Dog and cat food is high in animal protein and fat, and often contains salt levels and preservatives that parrots are not built for. Regular access causes liver and kidney strain.",
      "symptoms": [
        "weight gain",
        "loose droppings",
        "liver strain"
      ],
      "portion": "None. Keep bowls out of reach.",
      "alternative": "chicken",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/dog-food"
    },
    {
      "slug": "citrus",
      "name": "Citrus fruit",
      "aliases": [
        "orange",
        "lemon",
        "lime",
        "grapefruit",
        "tangerine"
      ],
      "category": "Fruit",
      "status": "caution",
      "severity": "low",
      "verdict": "Small amounts are fine — too much acid upsets the crop.",
      "reason": "Citric acid in large amounts irritates the crop and digestive tract. Vitamin C is not a problem at fruit levels; the acidity is. Many parrots dislike the taste anyway.",
      "symptoms": [
        "crop irritation",
        "loose droppings"
      ],
      "portion": "One or two small segments, occasionally.",
      "alternative": "kiwi",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/citrus"
    },
    {
      "slug": "spinach",
      "name": "Spinach",
      "aliases": [
        "baby spinach"
      ],
      "category": "Vegetable",
      "status": "caution",
      "severity": "low",
      "verdict": "OK in rotation — not every day.",
      "reason": "Spinach is high in oxalates, which bind calcium and can contribute to hypocalcemia if it dominates the diet. It is nutritious, just not a daily staple.",
      "symptoms": [
        "none in moderation",
        "calcium imbalance if fed daily"
      ],
      "portion": "A couple of leaves, 2 times a week, mixed with other greens.",
      "alternative": "kale",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/spinach"
    },
    {
      "slug": "corn",
      "name": "Corn",
      "aliases": [
        "sweetcorn",
        "maize",
        "corn on the cob"
      ],
      "category": "Vegetable",
      "status": "caution",
      "severity": "low",
      "verdict": "OK cooked, in moderation — it is starch, not a vegetable.",
      "reason": "Corn is mostly carbohydrate with little micronutrient value, so it fills birds up without nourishing them. Dried corn also carries mould risk if stored badly.",
      "symptoms": [
        "weight gain",
        "reduced interest in vegetables"
      ],
      "portion": "A few kernels of cooked corn, 2 times a week.",
      "alternative": "peas",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/corn"
    },
    {
      "slug": "peanut-butter",
      "name": "Peanut butter",
      "aliases": [
        "nut butter",
        "almond butter"
      ],
      "category": "Nut",
      "status": "caution",
      "severity": "moderate",
      "verdict": "Tiny amounts only — and check the label for xylitol.",
      "reason": "Nut butter is extremely calorie dense and can stick in the beak and crop. Many brands add sugar, salt, palm oil, or xylitol, which is lethal.",
      "symptoms": [
        "sticky beak",
        "weight gain",
        "crop impaction"
      ],
      "portion": "A smear the size of a grain of rice, used to hide medication.",
      "alternative": "almonds",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/peanut-butter"
    },
    {
      "slug": "almonds",
      "name": "Almonds",
      "aliases": [
        "almond",
        "raw almonds"
      ],
      "category": "Nut",
      "status": "caution",
      "severity": "low",
      "verdict": "One or two as a training treat — unsalted only.",
      "reason": "Almonds are a good source of vitamin E and calcium but are very high in fat. Salted or roasted-in-oil versions are not suitable.",
      "symptoms": [
        "weight gain if overfed"
      ],
      "portion": "1–2 unsalted almonds, a few times a week.",
      "alternative": "oats",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/almonds"
    },
    {
      "slug": "walnuts",
      "name": "Walnuts",
      "aliases": [
        "walnut"
      ],
      "category": "Nut",
      "status": "caution",
      "severity": "low",
      "verdict": "A small piece occasionally — very high in fat.",
      "reason": "Walnuts are the fattiest common nut. A quarter nut is a full treat for a medium parrot. Never feed mouldy or rancid nuts.",
      "symptoms": [
        "weight gain",
        "loose droppings"
      ],
      "portion": "A quarter nut, once or twice a week.",
      "alternative": "almonds",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/walnuts"
    },
    {
      "slug": "pasta",
      "name": "Pasta",
      "aliases": [
        "noodles",
        "spaghetti",
        "macaroni"
      ],
      "category": "Grain",
      "status": "caution",
      "severity": "low",
      "verdict": "Plain cooked pasta is fine occasionally — sauces are not.",
      "reason": "Plain pasta is refined starch with little nutritional value. Onion, garlic and salt in sauces are the real danger.",
      "symptoms": [
        "weight gain",
        "reduced appetite for vegetables"
      ],
      "portion": "A couple of plain cooked pieces, occasionally. Never with sauce.",
      "alternative": "quinoa",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/pasta"
    },
    {
      "slug": "honey",
      "name": "Honey",
      "aliases": [
        "maple syrup",
        "syrup",
        "agave"
      ],
      "category": "Additive",
      "status": "caution",
      "severity": "low",
      "verdict": "Avoid — pure sugar with no upside.",
      "reason": "Honey and syrups are concentrated sugar. They feed yeast in the crop and contribute to fatty liver. Nothing in them that a parrot needs.",
      "symptoms": [
        "yeast overgrowth",
        "weight gain"
      ],
      "portion": "Not recommended.",
      "alternative": "mango",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/honey"
    },
    {
      "slug": "yogurt",
      "name": "Plain yogurt",
      "aliases": [
        "yoghurt",
        "greek yogurt"
      ],
      "category": "Dairy",
      "status": "caution",
      "severity": "low",
      "verdict": "A small taste is OK — flavoured yogurt is not.",
      "reason": "Fermentation reduces lactose, so plain yogurt is better tolerated than milk. But it is still dairy fat and sugar. Sweetened or fruit yogurts add unnecessary sugar.",
      "symptoms": [
        "loose droppings if overfed"
      ],
      "portion": "A pea-sized amount of plain, unsweetened yogurt, rarely.",
      "alternative": "egg",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/yogurt"
    },
    {
      "slug": "salmon",
      "name": "Cooked salmon",
      "aliases": [
        "fish",
        "tuna",
        "cooked fish"
      ],
      "category": "Protein",
      "status": "caution",
      "severity": "low",
      "verdict": "A small flake of plain cooked fish is fine.",
      "reason": "Cooked fish provides omega-3 and protein, but it is rich and often salted or smoked. Only plain, unseasoned, fully cooked fish is acceptable.",
      "symptoms": [
        "loose droppings",
        "weight gain"
      ],
      "portion": "One flake the size of a fingernail, occasionally.",
      "alternative": "chicken",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/salmon"
    },
    {
      "slug": "lettuce",
      "name": "Lettuce",
      "aliases": [
        "iceberg",
        "romaine",
        "salad leaves"
      ],
      "category": "Vegetable",
      "status": "caution",
      "severity": "low",
      "verdict": "OK but pointless — mostly water.",
      "reason": "Iceberg lettuce is 95% water with minimal nutrition. It fills the crop without delivering anything. Dark leafy greens are a better use of the same stomach space.",
      "symptoms": [
        "watery droppings if fed heavily"
      ],
      "portion": "A leaf occasionally, mixed into a chop with darker greens.",
      "alternative": "kale",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/lettuce"
    },
    {
      "slug": "apple",
      "name": "Apple",
      "aliases": [
        "apples",
        "red apple",
        "green apple"
      ],
      "category": "Fruit",
      "status": "safe",
      "severity": "",
      "verdict": "Yes — a good everyday fruit, seeds and core removed.",
      "reason": "Apple flesh provides fibre, vitamin C and crunch. The only rule is to core and seed it, because apple seeds contain cyanogenic compounds.",
      "symptoms": [],
      "portion": "2–3 thin slices, 3–4 times a week, seeds and core removed.",
      "alternative": "",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/apple"
    },
    {
      "slug": "banana",
      "name": "Banana",
      "aliases": [
        "bananas",
        "ripe banana"
      ],
      "category": "Fruit",
      "status": "safe",
      "severity": "",
      "verdict": "Yes — a favourite treat, in small amounts.",
      "reason": "Banana is high in potassium and vitamin B6, and most parrots love the texture. It is also high in sugar, so it works best as a treat rather than a staple.",
      "symptoms": [],
      "portion": "1–2 slices (about a thumbnail each), 2–3 times a week.",
      "alternative": "",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/banana"
    },
    {
      "slug": "blueberries",
      "name": "Blueberries",
      "aliases": [
        "blueberry",
        "berries"
      ],
      "category": "Fruit",
      "status": "safe",
      "severity": "",
      "verdict": "Yes — one of the best treats you can give.",
      "reason": "Blueberries are loaded with anthocyanins and vitamin C with relatively little sugar. Their size makes them a natural training reward.",
      "symptoms": [],
      "portion": "2–3 berries a day.",
      "alternative": "",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/blueberries"
    },
    {
      "slug": "strawberries",
      "name": "Strawberries",
      "aliases": [
        "strawberry"
      ],
      "category": "Fruit",
      "status": "safe",
      "severity": "",
      "verdict": "Yes — high in vitamin C, low in calories.",
      "reason": "Strawberries are one of the better fruits for parrots: vitamin C, antioxidants, and a sugar level that stays reasonable. Wash them well.",
      "symptoms": [],
      "portion": "Half a berry to one berry, 2–3 times a week.",
      "alternative": "",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/strawberries"
    },
    {
      "slug": "mango",
      "name": "Mango",
      "aliases": [
        "mangoes"
      ],
      "category": "Fruit",
      "status": "safe",
      "severity": "",
      "verdict": "Yes — pit and skin removed.",
      "reason": "Mango is rich in vitamin A and beta-carotene. Remove the skin (pesticide residue) and the pit (choking and cyanide risk in the kernel).",
      "symptoms": [],
      "portion": "2–3 small cubes, 2–3 times a week.",
      "alternative": "",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/mango"
    },
    {
      "slug": "papaya",
      "name": "Papaya",
      "aliases": [
        "pawpaw",
        "papaya seeds"
      ],
      "category": "Fruit",
      "status": "safe",
      "severity": "",
      "verdict": "Yes — the safest tropical fruit for parrots.",
      "reason": "Papaya is high in vitamin A, gentle on the digestive system, and contains papain, an enzyme that aids protein digestion. It is the standard safe substitute for avocado.",
      "symptoms": [],
      "portion": "A thumb-sized cube, 3–4 times a week.",
      "alternative": "",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/papaya"
    },
    {
      "slug": "watermelon",
      "name": "Watermelon",
      "aliases": [
        "melon",
        "water melon"
      ],
      "category": "Fruit",
      "status": "safe",
      "severity": "",
      "verdict": "Yes — mostly water, good for hydration.",
      "reason": "Watermelon is low in sugar and high in water content, which makes it useful in summer or for birds that drink little. Remove all seeds.",
      "symptoms": [],
      "portion": "A small chunk, seeded, 2 times a week.",
      "alternative": "",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/watermelon"
    },
    {
      "slug": "cantaloupe",
      "name": "Cantaloupe",
      "aliases": [
        "rockmelon"
      ],
      "category": "Fruit",
      "status": "safe",
      "severity": "",
      "verdict": "Yes — high in beta-carotene.",
      "reason": "Cantaloupe delivers vitamin A precursors with moderate sugar. The rind can stay on for foraging enrichment if washed thoroughly.",
      "symptoms": [],
      "portion": "A small cube, 2–3 times a week.",
      "alternative": "",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/cantaloupe"
    },
    {
      "slug": "kiwi",
      "name": "Kiwi",
      "aliases": [
        "kiwifruit"
      ],
      "category": "Fruit",
      "status": "safe",
      "severity": "",
      "verdict": "Yes — vitamin C dense, peel removed.",
      "reason": "Kiwi has more vitamin C by weight than most fruits. Remove the fuzzy skin, which can irritate the crop.",
      "symptoms": [],
      "portion": "1–2 slices, 2 times a week.",
      "alternative": "",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/kiwi"
    },
    {
      "slug": "pomegranate",
      "name": "Pomegranate",
      "aliases": [
        "pomegranate seeds",
        "arils"
      ],
      "category": "Fruit",
      "status": "safe",
      "severity": "",
      "verdict": "Yes — the arils are a great foraging food.",
      "reason": "Pomegranate arils are antioxidant rich and the messy eating is good enrichment. Do not give the tough outer rind.",
      "symptoms": [],
      "portion": "A teaspoon of arils, 2 times a week.",
      "alternative": "",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/pomegranate"
    },
    {
      "slug": "pear",
      "name": "Pear",
      "aliases": [
        "pears"
      ],
      "category": "Fruit",
      "status": "safe",
      "severity": "",
      "verdict": "Yes — core and seeds removed.",
      "reason": "Pear is gentle, high in fibre and low in acid. Same rule as apple: the seeds contain cyanogenic compounds, so core it first.",
      "symptoms": [],
      "portion": "2–3 thin slices, 3 times a week, cored.",
      "alternative": "",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/pear"
    },
    {
      "slug": "carrot",
      "name": "Carrot",
      "aliases": [
        "carrots",
        "baby carrot"
      ],
      "category": "Vegetable",
      "status": "safe",
      "severity": "",
      "verdict": "Yes — one of the best everyday vegetables.",
      "reason": "Carrots are high in beta-carotene and give parrots something to shred, which is as much about beak health as nutrition. Cooked or raw both work.",
      "symptoms": [],
      "portion": "A 2–3 cm piece daily, raw for shredding or cooked in a chop.",
      "alternative": "",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/carrot"
    },
    {
      "slug": "broccoli",
      "name": "Broccoli",
      "aliases": [
        "brocoli",
        "broccoli florets"
      ],
      "category": "Vegetable",
      "status": "safe",
      "severity": "",
      "verdict": "Yes — excellent daily green.",
      "reason": "Broccoli is high in vitamin K, vitamin C and fibre, and the florets are a natural foraging shape. It is one of the most reliable vegetables to get a parrot to accept.",
      "symptoms": [],
      "portion": "A small floret daily.",
      "alternative": "",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/broccoli"
    },
    {
      "slug": "kale",
      "name": "Kale",
      "aliases": [
        "curly kale",
        "leafy greens"
      ],
      "category": "Vegetable",
      "status": "safe",
      "severity": "",
      "verdict": "Yes — the best everyday leafy green.",
      "reason": "Kale is high in calcium, vitamin K and carotenoids with a lower oxalate load than spinach. It is the workhorse green in a parrot chop.",
      "symptoms": [],
      "portion": "A small leaf daily, chopped into the vegetable mix.",
      "alternative": "",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/kale"
    },
    {
      "slug": "sweet-potato",
      "name": "Sweet potato",
      "aliases": [
        "sweet potato",
        "yam",
        "kumara"
      ],
      "category": "Vegetable",
      "status": "safe",
      "severity": "",
      "verdict": "Yes — cooked, and it is a parrot favourite.",
      "reason": "Cooked sweet potato is high in beta-carotene, soft enough for small beaks, and sweet enough that fussy birds accept it. Always cook it; raw sweet potato is hard to digest.",
      "symptoms": [],
      "portion": "A thumbnail-sized piece of cooked sweet potato, 3 times a week.",
      "alternative": "",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/sweet-potato"
    },
    {
      "slug": "bell-pepper",
      "name": "Bell pepper",
      "aliases": [
        "capsicum",
        "red pepper",
        "green pepper",
        "sweet pepper"
      ],
      "category": "Vegetable",
      "status": "safe",
      "severity": "",
      "verdict": "Yes — high in vitamin A, and the seeds are fine too.",
      "reason": "Red bell pepper has more vitamin A than most vegetables. The inner seeds and pith are edible and parrots enjoy digging them out.",
      "symptoms": [],
      "portion": "A small strip daily.",
      "alternative": "",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/bell-pepper"
    },
    {
      "slug": "cucumber",
      "name": "Cucumber",
      "aliases": [
        "cucumbers"
      ],
      "category": "Vegetable",
      "status": "safe",
      "severity": "",
      "verdict": "Yes — hydrating and low calorie.",
      "reason": "Cucumber is mostly water, which makes it useful for birds that do not drink enough. Low nutritional value but genuinely safe.",
      "symptoms": [],
      "portion": "A slice or two, 2–3 times a week.",
      "alternative": "",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/cucumber"
    },
    {
      "slug": "zucchini",
      "name": "Zucchini",
      "aliases": [
        "courgette"
      ],
      "category": "Vegetable",
      "status": "safe",
      "severity": "",
      "verdict": "Yes — raw or lightly cooked.",
      "reason": "Zucchini is low in sugar, high in water and easy to shred into a chop. Good for birds that need to lose weight.",
      "symptoms": [],
      "portion": "A small slice daily, raw or steamed.",
      "alternative": "",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/zucchini"
    },
    {
      "slug": "pumpkin",
      "name": "Pumpkin",
      "aliases": [
        "pumpkin flesh",
        "pumpkin puree",
        "cooked pumpkin"
      ],
      "category": "Vegetable",
      "status": "safe",
      "severity": "",
      "verdict": "Yes — cooked flesh, and the seeds are useful too.",
      "reason": "Cooked pumpkin is rich in beta-carotene and easy to mash. Unsalted pumpkin seeds are a good source of zinc and make a decent training treat.",
      "symptoms": [],
      "portion": "A small cube of cooked pumpkin, 2–3 times a week.",
      "alternative": "",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/pumpkin"
    },
    {
      "slug": "butternut-squash",
      "name": "Butternut squash",
      "aliases": [
        "squash",
        "winter squash"
      ],
      "category": "Vegetable",
      "status": "safe",
      "severity": "",
      "verdict": "Yes — cooked, a good source of vitamin A.",
      "reason": "Butternut squash is high in carotenoids and has a soft texture that suits small species. Cook before feeding.",
      "symptoms": [],
      "portion": "A thumbnail-sized piece of cooked squash, 3 times a week.",
      "alternative": "",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/butternut-squash"
    },
    {
      "slug": "peas",
      "name": "Peas",
      "aliases": [
        "green peas",
        "snow peas",
        "snap peas"
      ],
      "category": "Legume",
      "status": "safe",
      "severity": "",
      "verdict": "Yes — a good protein source for parrots.",
      "reason": "Peas provide plant protein and are small enough to be a natural foraging food. Fresh or frozen-then-thawed both work; avoid canned peas with added salt.",
      "symptoms": [],
      "portion": "5–8 peas, 3 times a week.",
      "alternative": "",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/peas"
    },
    {
      "slug": "green-beans",
      "name": "Green beans",
      "aliases": [
        "string beans",
        "snap beans"
      ],
      "category": "Vegetable",
      "status": "safe",
      "severity": "",
      "verdict": "Yes — cooked or raw, a good daily green.",
      "reason": "Green beans are low calorie, high fibre and hold their shape, which makes them good for foraging toys. Cook them lightly to improve digestibility.",
      "symptoms": [],
      "portion": "2–3 beans, chopped, 3 times a week.",
      "alternative": "",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/green-beans"
    },
    {
      "slug": "brown-rice",
      "name": "Brown rice",
      "aliases": [
        "rice",
        "cooked rice"
      ],
      "category": "Grain",
      "status": "safe",
      "severity": "",
      "verdict": "Yes — cooked, in moderation as part of a mix.",
      "reason": "Brown rice supplies carbohydrates and some B vitamins. It should be a small part of the bowl, not the base of the diet, and must be fully cooked.",
      "symptoms": [],
      "portion": "A teaspoon of cooked brown rice, 2 times a week.",
      "alternative": "",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/brown-rice"
    },
    {
      "slug": "oats",
      "name": "Oats",
      "aliases": [
        "oatmeal",
        "rolled oats",
        "porridge"
      ],
      "category": "Grain",
      "status": "safe",
      "severity": "",
      "verdict": "Yes — plain cooked oats, no sugar or milk.",
      "reason": "Oats give slow-release carbohydrate and fibre. Cook with water only; adding milk, sugar or honey turns a safe food into a bad one.",
      "symptoms": [],
      "portion": "A teaspoon of plain cooked oats, 2 times a week.",
      "alternative": "",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/oats"
    },
    {
      "slug": "quinoa",
      "name": "Quinoa",
      "aliases": [
        "cooked quinoa"
      ],
      "category": "Grain",
      "status": "safe",
      "severity": "",
      "verdict": "Yes — cooked, a good complete protein.",
      "reason": "Quinoa is one of the few plant foods with all essential amino acids, and it mixes well into a vegetable chop. Rinse before cooking to remove saponins.",
      "symptoms": [],
      "portion": "A teaspoon of cooked quinoa, 2 times a week.",
      "alternative": "",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/quinoa"
    },
    {
      "slug": "egg",
      "name": "Egg",
      "aliases": [
        "boiled egg",
        "scrambled egg",
        "hard boiled egg"
      ],
      "category": "Protein",
      "status": "safe",
      "severity": "",
      "verdict": "Yes — hard boiled or scrambled with no oil or salt.",
      "reason": "Egg is a high-quality protein source and the shell is a bonus calcium source for birds that like to crunch it. Cook thoroughly; never raw.",
      "symptoms": [],
      "portion": "A thumbnail-sized piece of cooked egg, 2 times a week.",
      "alternative": "",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/egg"
    },
    {
      "slug": "chicken",
      "name": "Chicken",
      "aliases": [
        "cooked chicken",
        "chicken breast"
      ],
      "category": "Protein",
      "status": "safe",
      "severity": "",
      "verdict": "Yes — plain cooked chicken, no skin or seasoning.",
      "reason": "Lean cooked chicken provides protein that parrots digest well. No salt, no oil, no bone, and never the skin.",
      "symptoms": [],
      "portion": "A small shred, 2 times a week.",
      "alternative": "",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/chicken"
    },
    {
      "slug": "millet",
      "name": "Millet",
      "aliases": [
        "millet spray",
        "spray millet"
      ],
      "category": "Grain",
      "status": "safe",
      "severity": "",
      "verdict": "Yes — the classic training treat, in moderation.",
      "reason": "Millet spray is the standard reward for taming and training because it is easy to nibble and highly motivating. It is also mostly carbohydrate, so it is a treat, not a meal.",
      "symptoms": [],
      "portion": "A short segment of spray, used during training.",
      "alternative": "",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/millet"
    },
    {
      "slug": "dandelion-greens",
      "name": "Dandelion greens",
      "aliases": [
        "dandelion",
        "dandelion leaves"
      ],
      "category": "Vegetable",
      "status": "safe",
      "severity": "",
      "verdict": "Yes — excellent calcium-to-phosphorus ratio.",
      "reason": "Dandelion greens have one of the best calcium to phosphorus ratios of any leafy green, which matters for parrots prone to hypocalcemia. Only pick from areas with no pesticide or traffic exposure.",
      "symptoms": [],
      "portion": "A small leaf, chopped, 2–3 times a week.",
      "alternative": "",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/dandelion-greens"
    },
    {
      "slug": "basil",
      "name": "Basil",
      "aliases": [
        "fresh basil",
        "herbs"
      ],
      "category": "Herb",
      "status": "safe",
      "severity": "",
      "verdict": "Yes — a safe herb for foraging and scent enrichment.",
      "reason": "Fresh basil is non-toxic and adds scent variety. Herbs like basil, parsley and mint can be woven into foraging toys or sprinkled over chop.",
      "symptoms": [],
      "portion": "A leaf or two, a few times a week.",
      "alternative": "",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/basil"
    },
    {
      "slug": "sunflower-seeds",
      "name": "Sunflower Seeds",
      "aliases": [
        "sunflower seed",
        "sunflower",
        "shelled sunflower seeds"
      ],
      "category": "Seed",
      "status": "caution",
      "severity": "low",
      "verdict": "Caution — not toxic, but far too fatty to be a bowl food.",
      "reason": "Sunflower seeds are not poisonous, yet they are about half fat by weight and low in calcium. A parrot that fills up on them eats less pellet and vegetable, which over time leads to obesity, fatty liver and weak feathers. Seeds still in the shell are also a common source of mould if the bag has been stored damp.",
      "symptoms": [
        "weight gain",
        "fatty liver",
        "poor feather quality"
      ],
      "portion": "3–5 shelled seeds as a training reward, a few times a day at most.",
      "alternative": "millet",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/sunflower-seeds"
    },
    {
      "slug": "peaches",
      "name": "Peach",
      "aliases": [
        "peaches",
        "fresh peach",
        "peach slices"
      ],
      "category": "Fruit",
      "status": "caution",
      "severity": "low",
      "verdict": "Caution — the flesh is safe, the stone is not.",
      "reason": "Ripe peach flesh is non-toxic and most parrots enjoy it. The pit is the problem: it contains cyanogenic compounds and is large enough to block the crop or gut of a small bird. Serve only clean slices, never a halved fruit with the stone left in.",
      "symptoms": [
        "crop impaction",
        "choking",
        "digestive upset"
      ],
      "portion": "Two or three small slices, twice a week, stone and skin removed for small species.",
      "alternative": "papaya",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/peaches"
    },
    {
      "slug": "plums",
      "name": "Plum",
      "aliases": [
        "plums",
        "fresh plum",
        "plum slices"
      ],
      "category": "Fruit",
      "status": "caution",
      "severity": "low",
      "verdict": "Caution — flesh only, and only in small amounts.",
      "reason": "Plum flesh is safe but acidic and laxative; too much produces loose droppings. The stone carries the same cyanogenic glycosides as other stone fruit and must be removed. Dried plums (prunes) are far more concentrated in sugar and should be avoided.",
      "symptoms": [
        "loose droppings",
        "digestive upset"
      ],
      "portion": "One or two slices, once or twice a week.",
      "alternative": "pear",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/plums"
    },
    {
      "slug": "coconut",
      "name": "Coconut",
      "aliases": [
        "fresh coconut",
        "coconut meat",
        "shredded coconut",
        "coconut flakes"
      ],
      "category": "Fruit",
      "status": "caution",
      "severity": "low",
      "verdict": "Caution — a high-fat treat, not a staple.",
      "reason": "Fresh coconut meat is not toxic, but it is roughly 65% fat, so even a small piece delivers a lot of calories. Sweetened shredded coconut and the flakes sold for baking usually carry added sugar and sulphites. Coconut oil has no place in a parrot's diet at all.",
      "symptoms": [
        "weight gain",
        "loose droppings",
        "fatty liver"
      ],
      "portion": "A piece the size of a pea, no more than once a week.",
      "alternative": "carrot",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/coconut"
    },
    {
      "slug": "cashews",
      "name": "Cashew",
      "aliases": [
        "cashews",
        "roasted cashews",
        "salted cashews"
      ],
      "category": "Nut",
      "status": "caution",
      "severity": "low",
      "verdict": "Caution — plain and rare only; never salted or roasted in oil.",
      "reason": "Cashews are not toxic to parrots, but the ones kept in most kitchens are roasted in oil and heavily salted. Salt is a genuine risk for birds, whose kidneys are small. Cashews are also high in fat and low in the calcium a parrot needs, so they work as an occasional reward rather than a food.",
      "symptoms": [
        "salt intoxication",
        "weight gain",
        "loose droppings"
      ],
      "portion": "Half a nut, broken up, a couple of times a week.",
      "alternative": "quinoa",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/cashews"
    },
    {
      "slug": "celery",
      "name": "Celery",
      "aliases": [
        "celery stalk",
        "celery sticks"
      ],
      "category": "Vegetable",
      "status": "safe",
      "severity": "",
      "verdict": "Yes — safe, watery and good for shredding.",
      "reason": "Celery is mostly water and fibre, low in sugar and non-toxic. The strings make excellent enrichment because parrots spend a long time tearing them apart. Wash it well, because celery is one of the crops most often found with pesticide residue.",
      "symptoms": [],
      "portion": "One or two short sticks, several times a week.",
      "alternative": "",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/celery"
    },
    {
      "slug": "pineapple",
      "name": "Pineapple",
      "aliases": [
        "fresh pineapple",
        "pineapple chunks"
      ],
      "category": "Fruit",
      "status": "safe",
      "severity": "",
      "verdict": "Yes — safe fresh, in small amounts.",
      "reason": "Pineapple is non-toxic and rich in vitamin C. It is also acidic and contains bromelain, an enzyme that can irritate a sensitive mouth or crop in quantity, so it belongs in the treat portion of the diet rather than the vegetable portion. Canned pineapple in syrup is a different food — the syrup is mostly sugar.",
      "symptoms": [],
      "portion": "One or two small chunks, twice a week. Fresh only, never canned in syrup.",
      "alternative": "",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/pineapple"
    },
    {
      "slug": "cauliflower",
      "name": "Cauliflower",
      "aliases": [
        "cauliflower florets",
        "cauli"
      ],
      "category": "Vegetable",
      "status": "safe",
      "severity": "",
      "verdict": "Yes — a safe cruciferous vegetable, raw or lightly steamed.",
      "reason": "Cauliflower is non-toxic and gives parrots something substantial to hold and crunch. Like other brassicas it can cause gas in large amounts, and it must never be served with cheese sauce, butter or salt. Steam it lightly if your bird ignores it raw.",
      "symptoms": [],
      "portion": "A small floret or two, three or four times a week.",
      "alternative": "",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/cauliflower"
    },
    {
      "slug": "lentils",
      "name": "Lentils",
      "aliases": [
        "red lentils",
        "green lentils",
        "cooked lentils",
        "dal"
      ],
      "category": "Legume",
      "status": "safe",
      "severity": "",
      "verdict": "Yes — cooked lentils are a good plant protein.",
      "reason": "Cooked lentils give parrots plant protein, iron and fibre, and they mix well into chop. Raw or half-cooked lentils are a different matter: they contain lectins that cause digestive upset and they swell inside the crop. Always cook them soft, with no salt.",
      "symptoms": [],
      "portion": "A teaspoon of well-cooked, unsalted lentils mixed into chop, two or three times a week.",
      "alternative": "",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/lentils"
    },
    {
      "slug": "popcorn",
      "name": "Popcorn",
      "aliases": [
        "air-popped popcorn",
        "popped corn",
        "plain popcorn"
      ],
      "category": "Human snack",
      "status": "safe",
      "severity": "",
      "verdict": "Yes — plain air-popped only, as an occasional treat.",
      "reason": "Plain air-popped corn is not toxic and parrots enjoy the crunch. The risk is everything that normally comes with it: salt, butter, sugar, caramel and microwave bags coated in flavouring. Unpopped kernels are a choking hazard and should be picked out.",
      "symptoms": [],
      "portion": "Three or four pieces, no more than once or twice a week, unpopped kernels removed.",
      "alternative": "",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/popcorn"
    },
    {
      "slug": "tomatoes",
      "name": "Tomatoes",
      "aliases": [
        "tomato",
        "tomato fruit",
        "cherry tomato",
        "ripe tomato"
      ],
      "category": "Vegetable",
      "status": "safe",
      "severity": "",
      "verdict": "Yes — the ripe fruit is fine in small amounts.",
      "reason": "The fruit is the safe part. The leaves, stems and unripe green fruit contain solanine and tomatine and are not safe, so strip the green stem and any leaf before feeding.",
      "symptoms": [],
      "portion": "One cherry tomato or a small wedge, once or twice a week.",
      "alternative": "",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/tomatoes"
    },
    {
      "slug": "cherries",
      "name": "Cherries",
      "aliases": [
        "cherry",
        "sweet cherries",
        "bing cherry"
      ],
      "category": "Fruit",
      "status": "caution",
      "severity": "moderate",
      "verdict": "Yes, but only pitted — the pit is the dangerous part.",
      "reason": "Cherry flesh is safe and most parrots like it. The pit contains cyanogenic glycosides and is also a choking risk, so it must be removed every time. Never feed canned, glazed or maraschino cherries.",
      "symptoms": [
        "choking",
        "drooling",
        "weakness"
      ],
      "portion": "One or two pitted cherries, as an occasional treat.",
      "alternative": "blueberries",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/cherries"
    },
    {
      "slug": "raspberries",
      "name": "Raspberries",
      "aliases": [
        "raspberry",
        "red raspberry"
      ],
      "category": "Fruit",
      "status": "safe",
      "severity": "",
      "verdict": "Yes — a low-sugar berry that most parrots accept quickly.",
      "reason": "Raspberries are low in sugar for a fruit and carry vitamin C and antioxidants. Wash them and check for mould in the hollow centre.",
      "symptoms": [],
      "portion": "2–3 berries, 2–3 times a week.",
      "alternative": "",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/raspberries"
    },
    {
      "slug": "blackberries",
      "name": "Blackberries",
      "aliases": [
        "blackberry",
        "bramble berry"
      ],
      "category": "Fruit",
      "status": "safe",
      "severity": "",
      "verdict": "Yes — safe in the same amounts as raspberries.",
      "reason": "Blackberries are safe and provide fibre and vitamin C. Give ripe, washed berries only; unripe ones are sour and harder on the gut.",
      "symptoms": [],
      "portion": "2–3 berries, a few times a week.",
      "alternative": "",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/blackberries"
    },
    {
      "slug": "cabbage",
      "name": "Cabbage",
      "aliases": [
        "red cabbage",
        "green cabbage",
        "white cabbage",
        "napa cabbage"
      ],
      "category": "Vegetable",
      "status": "safe",
      "severity": "",
      "verdict": "Yes — a small leaf now and then.",
      "reason": "Cabbage is safe and gives parrots something to shred, which is most of its value. It is high in goitrogens, so keep it occasional rather than a daily green.",
      "symptoms": [],
      "portion": "One small leaf or a couple of shreds, a few times a week.",
      "alternative": "kale",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/cabbage"
    },
    {
      "slug": "pistachios",
      "name": "Pistachios",
      "aliases": [
        "pistachio",
        "pistachio nuts",
        "pistachio kernel"
      ],
      "category": "Nut",
      "status": "caution",
      "severity": "low",
      "verdict": "Only plain, shelled and unsalted — two or three at most.",
      "reason": "Pistachios are not toxic, but they are high in fat and the salted snack version carries far too much sodium. Shells can splinter, and mouldy nuts can carry aflatoxin, so discard any that look discoloured.",
      "symptoms": [
        "weight gain",
        "fatty liver"
      ],
      "portion": "Two or three kernels, no more than twice a week.",
      "alternative": "almonds",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/pistachios"
    },
    {
      "slug": "pumpkin-seeds",
      "name": "Pumpkin Seeds",
      "aliases": [
        "pepitas",
        "pepita",
        "pumpkin seed"
      ],
      "category": "Seed",
      "status": "caution",
      "severity": "low",
      "verdict": "Plain and unsalted only — a few seeds as a treat.",
      "reason": "Pumpkin seeds are nutritious but fatty, and the roasted salted snack version is far too salty for a bird. The husk is hard to digest, so offer shelled seeds.",
      "symptoms": [
        "weight gain"
      ],
      "portion": "3–5 shelled seeds, a couple of times a week.",
      "alternative": "pumpkin",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/pumpkin-seeds"
    },
    {
      "slug": "chia-seeds",
      "name": "Chia Seeds",
      "aliases": [
        "chia",
        "chia seed"
      ],
      "category": "Seed",
      "status": "caution",
      "severity": "moderate",
      "verdict": "Only soaked — dry chia swells and can block the crop.",
      "reason": "Chia absorbs many times its weight in water. Eaten dry it can swell inside the crop and cause an impaction; soaked first it is a useful source of omega-3. Never leave dry chia in the bowl.",
      "symptoms": [
        "crop stasis",
        "regurgitation",
        "reduced droppings"
      ],
      "portion": "Half a teaspoon soaked in water, once or twice a week.",
      "alternative": "oats",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/chia-seeds"
    },
    {
      "slug": "figs",
      "name": "Figs",
      "aliases": [
        "fig",
        "fresh fig"
      ],
      "category": "Fruit",
      "status": "safe",
      "severity": "",
      "verdict": "Yes — fresh figs are unusually high in calcium for a fruit.",
      "reason": "Fresh fig flesh is safe and one of the better fruit sources of calcium, which matters for parrots on seed-heavy diets. Skip dried figs: concentrated sugar and often sulphured.",
      "symptoms": [],
      "portion": "A quarter of a fresh fig, once or twice a week.",
      "alternative": "",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/figs"
    },
    {
      "slug": "pecans",
      "name": "Pecans",
      "aliases": [
        "pecan",
        "pecan nuts",
        "pecan halves"
      ],
      "category": "Nut",
      "status": "caution",
      "severity": "low",
      "verdict": "A fragment only — pecans are among the fattiest nuts.",
      "reason": "Pecans are not toxic, but their fat content is high enough that more than a fragment works against a parrot on a maintenance diet. Raw and unsalted only; never candied or roasted in oil.",
      "symptoms": [
        "weight gain",
        "fatty liver"
      ],
      "portion": "A quarter of a nut, twice a week at most.",
      "alternative": "almonds",
      "url": "https://canparroteat.com/food/pecans"
    }
  ]
}