Edible plants?

[Blueiis]

Hi there.

I'm owned by a Dutch Blue lovebird who has free rein in my apartment whenever I'm home (and awake!).

He really seems to enjoy landing on my houseplants. I know he shouldn't be eating any of them, since most of them are probably toxic. (though he ate half an aloe vera and never showed any signs of illness.)

Does anyone know of any sources for ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY safe houseplants that a lovebird could nibble on?

I'd appreciate any help I could get--my local Avian Society isn't of much help. :(

[birdygirl]

I don't know of any but others may. I would replace them with fake silk plants. My flock loves those.

[Jenny]

Hi and nice to meet you! I too have a Dutch Blue lovebird and he (she?) goes crazy whenever we have a vase of flowers nearby! It's really funny to see him try to scramble up to the rim to nibble on them! Anyway, if you have a really good avian vet, they should be able to help you out. Many lists of toxic/non-toxic plants are made with dogs or other animals in mind, not just with birds, so some that are poisonous to dogs may be completely safe for birds. If you don't have a vet who can help you, I'll try to find a list in one of my BirdTalk magazines which I think, if I remember right, there is somewhere!

[birdygirl]

Yes there is one. I do know African Violets were on it.

[Jenny]

Well, I loaned a bunch of my BirdTalk magazines to this little girl so I can't find the list, but here's a link to a huge list of toxic house plants to birds:
http://www.budgies.org/info/plants.html
If there's a plant you have that you're not absolutely sure of that it's safe, then I wouldn't keep it, just to be on the safe side.

[birdgirl]

Welcome to the the site :) My Budgie has been eating pathos since I got him two years ago and he has never been sick but I don't know if it's really really safe I just can't keep him away from it

[pionuspasion]

There is also a wonderful list in the book The Complete Parrot Handbook by Gary A. Gallerstein on pg. 24. Some more common safe plants include:

African Violet
Aloe
Bamboo
Begonia
Chickweed
Christmas Cactus
Ferns
Figs
Petunia
Pothos
Purple passion
Thistle

amoung others...if you'd like you can post a type and I'll tell you if it's on the list.

[Blueiis]

Pionus,

Thanks! I'll definitely have to see if I can find that book. In the meantime, when he says they're "safe", does that mean Indigo can eat an entire African Violet without keeling over?

In any case, that gives me some room to maneuver and still decorate my place with plants. I appreciate your help!

[pionuspasion]

Yep, African Violets are a perfectly safe snack. Feel free to let your little lovie nibble.

[birdygirl]

I have to buy some African violets for my room.. So it is safe for Sophie and Pumpkin to nibble. They proabably wont but if they do than it is safe.

[Blueiis]

My local grocery store sells bamboo in its flower section, too. Think I might grab some of that to decorate the corners. Very cool--I really like the idea of being able to put "green stuff" back up!

[JSimko]

Here is a site that has all kinds of info on what is safe.
http://www.plannedparrothood.com/

[birdygirl]

Thanks.

Allison

My parrot has two hearts one is mine.

[JSimko]

Let me know what you think.

[birdygirl]

i love that site. It has tons of information on it. I need to buy some plants so I will buy African violets and bamboo. I think those are both safe.

[JSimko]

I want to also pick up some flowers that will attract wild birds. Hopefully humming birds.

[birdygirl]

Fuschia are great for attracting humming birds. Look for tube like flowers and red or orange.

[JSimko]

Thanks, I will do that.