Birds, like all animals, eat to balance their energy needs. When comparing the protein versus dietary energy of Tropican High Performance Parrot food with other bird food, the levels are similar. Although the percent of protein in the diets is different, so is the available energy level. Since Tropican Parrot food has a higher caloric density, birds eat less of it. The amount of protein consumed and used by the bird is actually less with Tropican due its higher fat levels. This also reduces the amount of protein the bird must use for energy. Metabolic water is a by-product of fat metabolism reducing water intake. When protein is broken down and used as an energy source, the uric acid by-product must be excreted by the kidney which can be stressful.