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What healthy foods can I feed my thin pigeon? Are cucumber seeds safe?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Bird | Unknown - Bird | Female

Hi. I want to know healthy foods for pigeons. My pigeon looks thin. I need a list of healthy foods for my pigeon. I want a list of edible seeds, healthy fruits and vegetables. She loves cucumber seeds. But I have noticed that she gets cold( running nose, sneezing) after eating cucumber seeds. But what's your opinion about feeding cucumber seeds? And please don't forget to give me a list of pigeon healthy foods. Thanks.

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Angel Alvarado, LVT

Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

Licensed Veterinary Technician

Published on April 17th, 2019

Pigeons eat a variety of grains, seeds, greens and fruit. they will occasionally dine on insects or earthworms. A commercial pelleted pigeon diet should comprise about half the diet. the other half can be a combination of fresh, chopped greens, vegetables and fruits. Your pigeon can eat almost anything you do. Do not feed avocado, chocolate or anything greasy or oily. A comprehensive list of appropriate foods is too long to fit here, but you can get an idea of what to feed at the link below.

http://www.pigeonrescue.org/birds/care/pigeon-feeding-dove-feeding/
Vote Icon1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Todd Cecil

    Veterinarian

    Published on August 23rd, 2019

    Pigeons can eat a commercial seed mix or pellets but should be supplemented by fresh vegetables, a wide variety. This should be chopped small. This will be the vitamin support, if on mostly seeds.
    good luck.

    Vote Icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on August 21st, 2018

    Offer fresh fruits and vegetables every day
    grains, seeds, (Seeds should only be 50% of a balanced diet, )
    greens and vegetables, finely chopped (do not fee avocado, toxic to birds)
    sprouts (mung, soy, other beans and seeds)
    berries, melon, apricot, peach, cherry(without pit)
    insects, snails and earthworms in the wild.

    I hope that helps.

    Vote Icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Food & Nutrition
My pigeon loves cucumber seeds but gets diarrhea. What should I do?
Since you are fairly certain that the diarrhea is caused by the cucumber seeds I would avoid giving them to your bird. She may enjoy them but it sounds like they are doing more harm than good. Fresh fruit and veggies should only make up about 15% of her diet. 80-90% should be a high quality pelleted food and <5% can be from treats/seeds. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.
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What can I feed my pigeon? Is wheat okay, and should I soak it?
You can feed wheat to Sheephony as a snack, however a balanced diet is best to ensure she gets the right balance of nutrients. The wheat can be soaked/sprouted to increase nutrient value as well. Doves and pigeons have very similar nutrient needs, so a commercial dove food, such as [this Kaytee formula](https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/kaytee-supreme-daily-blend-dove-food) or [Brown's](https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/browns-dove-pigeon-and-quail-blend-bird-food), can be used for feeding a pet pigeon. Additional fruits, grains, veggies and even live insects can be fed to help round out the diet and provide some fun and interesting snacks as well.
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My pigeon loves fried mustard seeds. Are they safe and healthy?
I would not give her too much as the oil and seed itself is fatty and doesn't provide much nutritional value, but would keep trying to offer her the seed without oil as an option. As a treat once in a while, it may be OK, but I would look toward finding healthier alternatives such as fresh fruits and veggies that Sheephony may enjoy more instead.
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Thanks for reaching out. Since pigeons can not masticate (chew) the pieces should be small enough to swallow without causing an esophageal obstruction, so chop the size of small seeds. Remember that seeds and nuts can not exclusively be feed to birds as lack many vitamins and minerals. A wide variety of vegetables (green, red, yellow, orange) is needed, as well as a protein sources such as legumes and beans (also chopped small). Good luck.
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Is it safe to feed my pigeon boiled rice or other human foods?
Thanks for reaching out. Rice is a carbohydrate and has little nutritional value and can lead to obesity. The carbohydrate could lead to intestinal bacterial overgrowth. A little should be okay but should not be offered much. Good luck.
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Thanks for reaching out about Sheephony. The entire hard boiled egg, including the shell can be chopped and offered, probably once weekly. Fruits are not that healthy and should be offered sparingly. Vegetables should include green leafy but also red/yellow/orange vegetables to provide a wide range of vitamins/minerals. Good luck.
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My rescued bird has diarrhea; what should I feed it and what breed?
Thanks for reaching out about Edgard and including photos. He appears to be a pigeon. Pigeons eat vegetables (grated or chopped), seeds and can be offered some avian pellets. Diarrhea is sometimes difficult to differentiate from polyuria (increased urination). If not eating well, likely more urine and less feces. Syringe feed if needed. Good luck.
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