The Best Seed Mix for an African Grey Parrot – In Our Opinion!

If you’ve owned an African Grey for any length of time, you already know they’re opinionated eaters. They’re clever, selective, and somehow capable of flicking just the bits they don’t want straight across the room. But finding a seed mix that keeps them engaged, nourished, and healthy long-term is possible, if you know what to look for.

And in our opinion, the best seed mix for an African Grey parrot is one that prioritises variety, function, and quality ingredients, exactly what we’ve done with The Aviary’s Soothing Seed Mix.

What Makes a Good Seed Mix for African Greys?

African Greys are notorious for being prone to nutritional deficiencies, especially calcium and vitamin A. So a good seed mix needs to do far more than just “fill the bowl.”

Here’s what you should always look for:

• Diversity. A healthy seed mix shouldn’t just be two or three types of seed, it should contain many. Variety supports gut health, encourages natural foraging behaviour, and provides a broader nutrient range.
• No cheap fillers. Sunflower seeds and peanuts are the hallmark of low-quality mixes. They’re high in fat and can dominate the diet, leading to weight gain, nutritional deficiencies and fatty liver disease.
• Functional ingredients. Seeds that actively support health, like hemp, chia, and milk thistle, bring real benefits, not just bulk.
• Human-grade ingredients. If you wouldn’t eat it yourself, your bird shouldn’t either. Parrots are far more sensitive to mould and pesticide residues than we are.

Why We Don’t Use Sunflower Seeds - and Why Your Grey Won’t Miss Them

Sunflower seeds are like crisps, irresistible, but not the foundation of a balanced diet. They’re high in omega-6 fatty acids, which can cause inflammation when unbalanced with omega-3s. That's not to say they're bad, they're very beneficial in the right amounts, they just should not fill your bird's bowl to the brim. 

That’s why The Aviary’s Soothing Seed Mix is completely sunflower-free. Instead, we use a combination of 18 diverse, nutrient-dense seeds and botanicals designed to satisfy even the fussiest Greys.

And the best part? Your Grey won’t even miss them. We’ve tested this on our own flock, and they’ll happily keep their heads buried in the bowl for 30 minutes straight.

What’s Inside Soothing Seed Mix (and Why It Matters)

Here’s what makes this blend special:

• Milk Thistle – Supports liver function and helps flush toxins.
• Brown & Golden Linseed – Excellent omega-3 source for feathers, brain, and joints.
• Hemp & Chia Seeds – Powerhouses of protein and essential fatty acids.
• Pumpkin Seed – Full of zinc and magnesium, great for immunity and feather strength.
• Nigella & Caraway Seeds – Natural antioxidants that aid digestion.
• Buckwheat & Oat Groats – Gentle, slow-release carbohydrates for sustained energy.
• Amaranth & Millet Grain – High in minerals and amino acids for muscle and nerve health.
• Lavender – Calming, aromatic, and a beautiful botanical addition.
• Giant Couscous – Adds texture and bulk for sensory enrichment.
• Black & White Sesame Seeds – Provide calcium, a crucial mineral for African Greys.
• Blue Poppy & Mustard Seeds – Support circulation, digestion, and add visual interest.

This isn’t just a seed mix: it’s enrichment in a bowl. Every scoop offers a variety of textures, flavours, and nutrients that stimulate both mind and body.

You’re Probably Feeding Too Much

Here’s something that surprises most parrot owners: you don’t need to fill the seed bowl.

Most parrots in captivity are overfed, especially when given seed mixes designed for volume rather than quality. With a premium mix like ours, every gram counts, it’s nutrient-rich, not filler-heavy.

For an African Grey, 2 tablespoons per day (usually in the evening with a Parrot Dry Mix) is plenty when combined with a fresh, varied morning meal.

Think of Soothing Seed Mix as the condensed, convenient version of what your Grey would forage for all day in the wild, diverse, functional, and balanced.

Pairing Seed Mix with the Rest of the Diet

A good seed mix is the foundation, not the full diet. To create a balanced, wholefood routine, combine Soothing Seed Mix with:

• Fresh vegetables and fruit each morning: raw, colourful, and chopped small.
• Sprouted seeds or pulses like our Foraging Feast Sprouting Mix for live enzymes and energy.
• Dry mixes such as Soothing Dry Mix for gut support and added botanicals.
• A small amount of nuts (walnut, almond, pistachio) as training treats or foraging rewards.

This combination covers all bases: gut health, immunity, feathers, and enrichment, everything your African Grey needs to thrive.

In our opinion, the best seed mix for African Grey parrots is one that respects their intelligence, biology, and health needs, not just one that looks colourful, is sold in huge bulk bags at extremely low prices or claims to be “premium.”

Our Soothing Seed Mix delivers real variety and nutrition without the cheap fillers. It’s the perfect way to make sure your Grey gets all the goodness they deserve, without you overfeeding or them missing out.

African Grey Parrot Seed Mix FAQs

What is the best seed mix for African Grey parrots?

The best seed mix for African Greys is one that’s highly varied, free from cheap fillers like sunflower seeds or peanuts, and made with human-grade ingredients. A balanced mix like The Aviary’s Soothing Seed Mix provides a range of healthy fats, fibre, vitamins, and minerals, everything your Grey needs for long-term health and glossy feathers.

Should African Greys eat sunflower seeds?

Yes, but they absolutely should not form the bulk of the diet, and they should be high quality. Sunflower seeds are very high in fat and can lead to liver issues, hormonal behaviour, and obesity if overfed. The Soothing Seed Mix is completely sunflower-free, which makes it safer for daily feeding while still being full of flavour and texture that Greys love.

Can African Grey parrots live on seed mix alone?

No, even the best seed mix should only be part of a varied diet. African Greys need a balance of vegetables, fruit, sprouts, herbs, and botanicals to stay healthy. Think of seed mix as one piece of a complete, whole-food diet, not the entire meal plan.

How much seed mix should I feed my African Grey parrot?

Only a few tablespoons a day. Because high-quality seed mixes like the Soothing Seed Mix are nutrient-dense and diverse, you don’t need to fill the bowl. Overfeeding is one of the most common mistakes parrot owners make. Two tablespoons per day, alongside lots of other foods, is ideal for most Greys.

Why does my African Grey throw seed on the floor?

This isn’t rejection, it’s instinct. In the wild, parrots naturally scatter food while foraging. It’s part of how they explore textures and select what they want. Keep re-offering the mix; your bird is likely eating more than you realise.

What ingredients are in the Soothing Seed Mix?

The mix includes milk thistle, hemp, chia, linseed, pumpkin, buckwheat, sesame, nigella, and caraway, all functional ingredients that support liver health, gut balance, and calm energy. It also contains lavender and giant couscous for variety and enrichment.

Why is variety so important in an African Grey’s diet?

Variety supports gut bacteria diversity, mental stimulation, and balanced nutrition. African Greys are intelligent, sensitive birds that need constant dietary rotation to avoid boredom, nutrient imbalance, and behavioural problems.