Birdie Tip: Most birds do not need grit. The only birds that need grit are those that swallow food whole, particularly hard foods such as seeds and corn, for example the chicken and pigeon. Parrots and other seed eating birds, such as finches, shell their seed and have no need for grit in the gizzard. Pet birds on pellet diets grind their food to a powder before ingesting and would not need grit either. Bird Brain Information: Parrots and many other birds have a muscular gizzard or proventriculus that grinds the food. The lining of the ventriculus, called koilin, is hard and textured to aid in grinding the food. Bowls and Crocks Having only one or two dishes in a cage is simply not enough. You need two dishes of pellets, a dish for dry treats, and a dish for wet treats. Water Bottles and Accessories Fresh water is a very important nutrient that is often overlooked. Clean water is vital for a long healthy life. Miscellaneous Waterers, Cups, and Scoops Dishes come in a variety of styles. Choose the one that best fits your cage and your bird.