Wont even eat fresh vegetables...?

[babygirl12]

I have a parakeet, about 3-4 years old and i read in a book that you could feed them little pieces of lettuce, broccoli, apples, things like that, but he is just scared of it when i put it near him, even when i cut it real small. He wont even eat it when i put it in his bowl on top of his regular seeds. Whats wrong wit him?? lol

[fluffy pluffy]

I don't know..Maybe he just doesn't like the smell/look of it?

(Don't expect to get many more replies,hardly anyone comes over to the Bird corner.   )

[Moondust]

A lot of birds are neophobic when it comes to food.  Seed diets are terrible for parakeets, it's much better for them to be on pellets; you'd be amazed at the difference in their looks when you get them on good food! 

A nice article on budgie feeding:
http://www.budgieplace.com/advanced.html

And on converting them to fresh foods:
http://www.budgieplace.com/faq_veggies.html

Hehe seed junkies can be converted.  We converted my boyfriend's 'keets and the difference in their plumage was amazing. 

[LastEchoes]

It's not uncommon for birds to fear unknown foods/objects.
How bonded are you with your bird? Try feeding it to him from your mouth(if you're comfortable with that) so he'll know its nothing to be afraid of. Or just leave it in the cage until he/she gets curious enough one day to try it. Another option is having him around you while you eat...often times they'll try things off your plate, even the foods they're generally 'afraid' of.  You shouldn't put fresh foods in his seed bowl though......if he's afraid of it, then it'll prevent him from eating the seeds too. Either put in another food dish JUST for fresh food or use those clip thingies to attach it to the side of the cage.