There are many beverages that people enjoy in their daily life, such as milk, coffee, and tea. Milk and coffee can be bad for parrots, as can tea, but tea may be safer for parrots in certain circumstances.
So, can parrots drink tea?
Yes and no, and it depends on the type of tea. Caffeine-free tea is safe for parrots. The danger comes from caffeinated types that can intoxicate parrots. Caffeine-free tea (hongyacha) can provide fabulous benefits, so it’s normal for parrots to sip a few times now and then.
The general rule is as follows: caffeinated tea is bad and toxic for parrots, while other types of tea, such as herbal tea or ginger tea, can be safely consumed by parrots.
Although caffeine-free tea is safe for parrots, they should only drink it without added sugar, which can make the parrot anxious and lead to difficulties sleeping. In this article, we will delve into everything about serving tea to parrots, which types of tea are safe, and all the questions you may have.
Types of tea for parrots
As humans, we enjoy drinking all kinds of tea, even if it contains caffeine. Caffeine is tolerable for our bodies in small amounts, but for parrots, even small amounts can be very toxic. Below is a summary of the types of tea that are good or bad for our feathered friends.
Bad types of tea for parrots
All bad types of tea for parrots come from the same tree, the Camellia Sinensis, and there are about 4 types depending on the time of harvest, each containing different amounts of caffeine. They are:
Black tea
Black or red tea is the most caffeinated of these four teas. If you drink a large cup of black tea, expect to feel an effect similar to that of coffee. This type of tea contains about 40-70 milligrams of caffeine per 225-gram serving.
Green tea
Green tea is harvested a little earlier than black tea. It contains a lower amount of caffeine, and each 225-gram serving contains about 35-45 milligrams of caffeine.
White tea
White tea is the earliest harvested, so the caffeine content is lower than that of green and black tea. There are about 15-30 milligrams of caffeine per approximately 225-gram serving of tea.
Oolong tea
Oolong tea is a traditional blend in China between green and black tea, containing about 37-55 milligrams of caffeine per 225-gram serving.
Safe types of tea for parrots
Here are the most popular types of herbal teas. They are all caffeine-free and safe for parrots.
Chamomile tea
This tea comes from infusing dried chamomile flowers in hot water. This tea has relaxing effects and can help a parrot sleep easily, especially during breeding and molting periods. These times are very hard for parrots; all they need is to relax, and chamomile tea is good for that.
It also has other benefits, such as fighting inflammation, aiding cold symptoms, and maintaining healthy skin and feathers.
Ginger tea
Ginger itself is safe for parrots and has many benefits for parrots, and it is a mix of ginger powder and hot water.
Peppermint tea
Peppermint is a well-known type of herbal tea that is safe for parrots. This tea has many beneficial effects, such as relieving tension, boosting energy, fighting bacterial infections, improving sleep quality, and enhancing mood. These benefits also apply to parrots, and drinking a few sips of this herbal tea will be very enjoyable for them.
Moreover, peppermint is a substantial source of potassium, calcium, and vitamin A.
Hibiscus tea
This type of tart herbal tea may not be suitable for all parrots. But it has many advantages and can provide your parrot with tons of antioxidants that help new cells regenerate properly without damage, and it helps to fight cancer in older parrots. Furthermore, this tea can improve liver health, fight bacteria, and is easy to prepare.
This tea can provide many nutrients, such as
- Calcium
- Phosphorus
- Iron
- Niacin
- Vitamin C
- Riboflavin
However, these nutrients may be reduced when you buy this tea in its dried form, but they will still be present in smaller amounts.
Rooibos tea
Rooibos tea is caffeine-free, so it can be safely consumed by parrots. This tea can help keep the parrot’s heart healthy and is packed with antioxidants. It has no nutritional value except for small traces of fluoride and copper. Many parrots may enjoy it due to its nutty flavor and natural sweetness, so why not serve it as a treat from time to time.
Sage tea
This type of tea is really healthy and offers many benefits, such as boosting heart health, enhancing mood, and maintaining healthy skin and feathers. It is also full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. This tea has a sweet taste that the parrot will love, and it contains the following nutrients, but in smaller quantities.
- Protein
- Carbohydrates
- Fat
- Vitamin K
- Iron
- Vitamin B6
- Calcium
Lemon balm tea
This tea is prepared by infusing fresh or dried lemon balm leaves. This tea has no nutritional value, except for a few small traces of potassium and sodium. However, if your parrot is going through a stressful time, such as molting or breeding, this herbal tea can give it a boost to relax, due to its stress and anxiety-reducing effects, which are common during these periods for parrots.
The effects of lemon balm tea will be beneficial for your parrot’s sleep, and it is completely safe. Moreover, parrots will surely love its citrus taste.
Rose hip tea
This tea is rich in antioxidants, good for the immune system as well as the cardiovascular system. It helps combat inflammation and pain that your parrot may have. This tea has a slightly sweet and tart aftertaste, which may sometimes be unappealing to some parrots.
Passionflower tea
Passionflower tea has a sedative effect and can help your bird sleep well and avoid insomnia, and it can boost heart health. This tea has a sweet taste, so most parrots are likely to enjoy it.
Can parrots drink milk tea?
No, parrots cannot drink milk tea, even if it is plant-based milk. This is because milk contains lactose that parrots cannot digest since they do not produce lactase (the enzyme that breaks down lactose into glucose and galactose). Therefore, it should not be served to your parrot. Doing so could result in stomach aches, gas, bloating, and diarrhea.
Which parrot breeds can drink tea?
All breeds like African greys, cockatoos, macaws, cockatiels, quaker parrots, budgerigars, etc., can drink non-caffeinated plant-based tea types. Not all parrot breeds should ever be allowed to drink tea from the Camellia Sinensis plant, which is the popular caffeinated tea. Sticking to herbal teas is the safest for your feathered friends.
How to serve herbal tea to your parrot?
If you decide to serve a certain type of tea to your parrot, remember to prepare it without adding anything else: no sugar or honey. Both are bad for parrots. Just prepare it by adding water to the tea, and let it steep in boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes. Then wait for the tea to reach room temperature, as parrots cannot handle hot drinks.
Serve using a bowl and place it inside the cage, or simply use your parrot’s water bowl until it has finished drinking. And remember not to leave any type of tea in the cage for more than 24 hours (it becomes indigestible or even toxic).
To conclude, parrots can only drink caffeine-free herbal teas. In most cases, herbal teas do not have uncontestable nutritional value for parrots, though they can be useful for relieving stress, promoting good sleep, and protecting against diseases. However, there are many other fruit and vegetable alternatives that can do the same and sometimes better than these types of tea.
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