By Laurie Hess, DVM, Diplomate ABVP (Avian Practice)
When it comes to the senses — sight, smell, sound and taste — vision is extremely important in how birds (parrots or otherwise) decide what to eat. Unlike people, many bird species have structures within their retinas that enable them to see ultraviolet (UV) light, making the colors that they see look very different from those that we see. In fact, the way that UV light reflects off the waxy outer layers of fruit helps birds determine whether fruit is ripe to eat. Given the importance of color in food selection by birds, when you choose snacks for your pet bird, consider the colors of the rainbow.
當涉及到感官 - 視覺、嗅覺、聲音和味道，鳥類會憑視覺決定吃什麼。與人不同的是，因鳥類的視網膜結構，使他們能夠看到紫外光線（UV），他們看到的那些顏色是與我們看到的是不同的。事實上，紫外光線能反映水果外皮有助於鳥類判斷果實是否成熟至可以食用。由於顏色對鳥類在選擇食物時上有很大的重要性，當您為寵物鳥選擇小食時，可考慮不同的顏色。
Red: Strawberries
Who can resist a bright red, mouthwatering strawberry? A ripe strawberry is a perfect sweet treat for your pet bird to sink his beak into. A plump strawberry is a vitamin C-packed snack your pet bird won’t be able to resist. Buy organic strawberries whenever possible, as strawberries absorb pesticides at high levels in their skin. It’s healthier for your bird and for you, too.
紅色：草莓
一粒成熟的草莓是寵物鳥的完美甜品。草莓含有維他命C將令牠們無法抗拒。因草莓的表皮容易吸收高水平的農藥(殺虫藥)，盡可能購買有機草莓, 對你的鳥及您都比較健康。
Orange: Mangoes
An ideal snack for a pet bird, mangoes are filled with beta carotene, a vitamin-A precursor made in the body which is essential to a healthy immune system, normal skin, and shiny feathers. Soft and juicy, a chunk of mango is a snack your bird will love to dig into. But if you offer your bird mango, be prepared to clean his cage, because he’s sure to wipe his sticky beak all over the perches when he’s done.
橙色：芒果
芒果充滿β-胡蘿蔔素，是寵物鳥的理想的零食，而當中的維他命 A可以令雀烏擁有健康的免疫系統、正常的皮膚及光澤的羽毛。柔軟多汁，一大塊的芒果必定是你愛鳥的最愛小吃。如果你餵食芒果，請記緊清理他的籠子。
Yellow: Peppers
Although some birds choose fruit over vegetables, yellow peppers are always a hit. When cut in strips, a yellow pepper make a crunchy treat that is easy for birds to hold and great for them to chew. Plus, yellow peppers are vitamin-A and C enriched, so they’re nutritious and delicious. Yellow peppers are crunchy as a potato chip but a whole lot healthier, they’re especially great for feather-picking pet birds that need to busy their bird beaks so that they don’t pick.
黃色：辣椒
蔬菜及水果當中，一些鳥多會類選擇水果，但黃椒是例外。把黃椒切成條狀，令牠們容易拿起這一條條脆脆的小吃。此外，黃椒含豐富的維他命 A和C，因此它們是營養豐富，味道鮮美的食物。黃椒跟薯片一樣都是脆脆的，但非常健康，特別適合拔毛的寵物鳥，可令牠們忙於咀嚼。
Green: Sugar Snap Peas
Another crunchy treat, a sugar snap pea pod is a perfect little package that pet birds can hold and munch. Pet birds love to forage, and what better treat to forage for than little, round peas in an edible wrapper? Available year round, sugar snap pea pods are easy to prepare: just wash and offer the sugar snap peas, no slicing or chopping required. A great source of vitamins A, B, and C, sugar snap peas are sure to please even the fussiest pet bird palates!
綠色：甜荷蘭豆
另一個脆脆的小吃，甜荷蘭豆是一個完美的小吃，寵物鳥能容易拿起和咯吱咯吱、津津有味地嚼。寵物鳥愛搜尋，有什麼比甜荷蘭豆更好，是一個可食用的覓食玩具。甜荷蘭豆是一年四季內都容易找到的。只要洗淨，無需切片或切碎。甜荷蘭豆含豐富維他命A，B和C的，連挑剔的寵物鳥都合口味的！
Blue: Blueberries
An ideal snack for pet birds of all sizes, blueberries are a great source of dietary fiber, vitamins C and K, and manganese — all essential nutrients in a pet bird’s diet. Plus, blueberries rich in anti-oxidants, which help protect cells against the effects of free radicals — molecules produced within birds’ bodies that can damage organs, potentially causing heart disease, cancer and other serious illness. What could be better – a yummy, little ball of blueberry goodness filled with potent disease fighting nutrients? But be careful, just as we can’t eat only one blueberry, neither will your pet bird!
藍色：藍莓
為各種體型的寵物鳥的一個理想零食，藍莓含膳食纖維、維他含 C和K、錳 (寵物鳥飲食上的必需營養物質)。此外，藍莓含有豐富的抗氧化劑，有助於保護細胞免受自由基的影響 (鳥類的身體內產生的分子，可以破壞器官，可能會導致心臟疾病，癌症和其他嚴重疾病)。這是一個美味，充滿了疾病戰鬥力的小吃。但不能只吃一粒！
Purple: Plums
Few foods combine the tartness of the skin with the sweetness of the fruit than the plum. Who can resist a succulent slice of plum on a hot summer day? Rich in vitamins A, B, C, and K, plums help fight infection and inflammation and promote normal blood clotting, healthy skin and vision. Plus, plums are a good source of iron for red blood cell formation. But, offer a piece of plum, and you’ll wish your pet bird was wearing a bib, because he’s likely to wear as much as he eats. Yet, he’s a pet bird, after all, and he really won’t care!
紫色：布冧
很少食物像布冧一樣有酸酸的果皮及甜美的果實。布冧含有豐富的維他命A、B、C和K，幫助抵抗感染和炎症，促進正常凝血，令皮膚和視力健康。另外，布冧為紅血球帶來鐵質。但是，進食時最好為您的寵物鳥穿上圍裙! |
發表於 2011-10-20 14:28
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發表於 2011-10-20 15:25
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