Parrot Weight Chart: Why You Should Track Your Bird's Weight

Keeping an eye on your bird's weight is one of the best things that you can do for it. But, it's also important to know what your bird's particular species should weigh. Keep in mind that there is a range of acceptable wait even amongst birds of the same species.

Since birds hide their illnesses, injuries, and pain, one of the Pafirst clues that something is wrong is  often a drop in weight. A lot of people think that they can just pick up their bird and tell whether it's losing weight. However, losing just 10% of its weight is harmful and an indication that something is wrong.

My Congo African grey, named Smokey, weighs  492 grams.  10% of his weight is 49 grams. That's a little less than 2 oz. If he were to lose 2 ounces over the course of, say, two months, I wouldn't be able to detect that minute weight loss. By the time I noticed that he had been losing weight it might be too late. That’s why keeping a running tally of your bird's weight is important. 

BirdSupplies.com we're all about parrot wellness and one way to keep your parrot well is to help it to maintain an appropriate weight.

How Often Should You Weigh Your Bird?

People often ask how often should I weigh my bird. I like to encourage people to get into a routine of weighing their bird once a week, on the same day, and preferably before breakfast. You can keep a running chart on your bird's wait every week. You'll probably notice that your bird's weight fluctuates a little bit,  just like yours. That's okay.

What you're actually looking for is a slow and steady downward spiral. If that happens give your avian vet a call.

Is it bad if my bird is overweight?

Just like with people birds can experience complications from being overweight. If your bird weighs 15% over its ideal weight it may be considered to be obese. Ask your avian vet what your bird's ideal weight should be in grams.

One complication of being overweight is  the toll it takes on the cardiovascular system. Excess fat can develop around the heart requiring it to work harder to circulate  blood.  Plus, fatty deposits can clog up veins and arteries leaving your bird susceptible to a stroke or an aneurysm.

Another complication of being overweight is the effect it has on your birds joints. Namely, the joints and its legs and feet which have to carry the excess weight.  If your bird is overweight it causes the legs and the hips to splay in a widened stance.  All this wear and tear can cause a painful arthritic condition as your bird ages. Not only that, your bird will have difficulties tolerating normal exercise, causing a snowball effect of overall poor health.

Finally, overweight birds are prone to acquiring deadly fatty liver disease. A bird with Fatty liver disease is more prone to developing  symptoms of stress and have difficulties with its immune system. 

All of these fatty deposits in the body can also impaired normal organ functioning. Your vet can perform a variety of tests to determine if critical organs are not functioning properly

How do you make an obese bird lose weight?

As you've read, obesity in birds causes several painful and life-threatening problems. so, you'll want to help your bird achieve an optimum weight and maintain it.

The first thing you're going to want to do is improve your bird's diet. Avian nutrition experts tell us that feeding your bird a premium, organic pellet, like Harrison's Bird Food, Roudybush, or TOPs is important but you’ll want to  supplement pellets with a good range of fresh, uncooked, plant-based foods.

 If you're unsure of how to get your bird to eat more vegetables and plant-based Foods, check out my video on 9 ways to get your parrot to eat its veggies. Another great resource is the parrots fine cuisine cookbook. you'll learn about the nutritional values of different plant-based foods and get a ton of tasty recipes that you can make for your bird.

Now, take a look at the treats that you've been giving your bird. A lot of bird treats are empty calories. They are often high in sugar and fat. Save the treats for special occasions and training purposes.

Finally, you can help your obese bird lose weight by increasing its opportunities to exercise. Evaluate your bird's cage size and climbing opportunities. Get your bird a play stand to climb about on. You can encourage your bird to move about the play stand by placing stations with healthy foods in them In different areas. This is a great way to ward off boredom too!

What is a good weight for a bird? 

 Below is a chart showing the average weight of different species of birds. But once again, you'll want to ask your  avian vet what the ideal weight is for your bird?

Why do we weigh birds in grams?

Birds are weighed in grams because they're very lightweight, with many birds weighing less than a pound. There are over 450 grams in a pound. Weighing in grams allows for precise measurements that pounds can't achieve. For instance, a pound scale might not even notice a weight change that's less than half of a bird's body weight, which could be crucial for their health.

Furthermore, birds are masters at hiding illness, making weight loss one of the earliest indicators of a potential health problem. Monitoring their weight in grams helps us catch issues early. An unexplained 10% change in weight is often a red flag that something may be wrong, prompting owners to seek veterinary care promptly.

Why should I keep track of my birds weight?

Tracking your bird's weight on a chart each week is a simple yet vital practice in avian care. It allows you to monitor their health trends over time, catching any subtle changes that could signal underlying issues. For example, if your bird's weight shows a consistent downward trend over several weeks, it could indicate a health problem that needs attention. On the flip side, a sudden spike in weight might suggest dietary changes or potential illness. Regular tracking helps you stay proactive and catch these changes early, ensuring your bird's well-being.

To make this process easier for you, we're offering a free downloadable weight tracking chart. This chart is designed to be user-friendly and provides space for recording your bird's weight each week. Simply fill in the date and corresponding weight, and you'll have a clear visual representation of your bird's health journey. Monitoring their weight on this chart can give you peace of mind and empower you to provide the best possible care for your feathered friend.

PRINT THIS BIRD WEIGHT MONITORING CHART

Parrot Weight Chart by Species