What to feed McCaws

Question
My cousin has a newly acquire Macaw.  My concern is she is feeding this bird the wrong things.  She feeds this bird ravioli, beer, beef, and other unnatural things.  She said this is what you are suppose to feed these types of birds.  I am not a bird expert but don't these birds have sensitive digestive systems?  Help me keep this bird alive.  

Answer
It's the liver and crop that are at risk here - and trouble with these things are often many hundreds or even THOUSANDS of dollars to treat/correct.  Sometimes they can't be treated and the bird is lost.

 No, never, ever, never alcohol. HIGHLY toxic to a bird. So far they've just been 'lucky' - it won't last.  
 Never - ever any caffeine either (just in case anyone is thinking of sharing a sip of coffee).
 NEVER any salt and NO deep fried foods, coatings or chicken skin.

IF the bird is on a quality pelleted diet with about 20% of their weekly pellet diet intake being quality seed (NO sunflower seeds) - occassional 'treats' of perhaps 1/2 a ravioli is ok.  No kidding, 1/2.

 The rest of the diet NEEDS to be whole grains, legumes (beans, nuts [very few peanuts]), dark greens and colorful veggies like squash, sweet potatoes, yams.

 Most people who get macaws and really, truly care for them, end up changing their own lifestyle and people around them notice "Hey, you've lost weight, quit smoking, just plain look GREAT!" (I'm serious - it happens all the time). It's easier to eat what the bird eats than buy special foods - but if they need their junk food (the people) then at least make sure the bird eats right.

That bird should have a life expectancy of 65 years. Once fatty liver disease is aquired from this bad food, it could be sick and costly for anywhere to a few months, to a few years, but most certainly it will not enjoy a full life.

 Check out my site about birds and their needs, specifically macaws and feel free to share it with your friends (which, by the way, you're a very good one!)

www.4AnimalCare.org  (click on 'birds')