Safe indoor/outdoor plants for Quaker Parrot who free-ranges

Mary Crichton
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Safe indoor/outdoor plants for Quaker Parrot who free-ranges Oct 30, 2017 4:04:56 GMT -5

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Post by Mary Crichton on Oct 30, 2017 4:04:56 GMT -5

Hello there

I have a blue Quaker Parrot (4 years of age) who is a free-range birdie inside my home. He/she also goes outside in a large lovely cage setup with lots of enrichment and vegies, seeds, grit, fruits (no avocado of course) and toys, and branches.

Can you please tell me whether gum leaves are okay to offer for enrichment. I offer most types of green vegetables in moderation. I would like to have some indoor plants, however, because he free-ranges when I am not home, I would like to know which ones I could have where if he/she chooses to have a snack, would not be toxic to Riley.

Thank you!

Mary
Adelaide, South Australia

easttex
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Safe indoor/outdoor plants for Quaker Parrot who free-ranges Oct 30, 2017 9:26:10 GMT -5

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Post by easttex on Oct 30, 2017 9:26:10 GMT -5

Hi to you and Riley!

I don't know if this list is too North America-centric for your purposes, but it's good information to start: www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=15+1912&aid=2236. There might be something more specific to Australia out there.

I would be careful not to give Riley branches from any tree that might have been treated with pesticides. They can persist in the wood for years.

Quaker Peppy (RIP my sweet pea), CAG Allie, dogs Wanda and Bonnie, feral kitties Cleo and Antoinette, mice Charlotte and Emily, née Jake and Elwood

julianna
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Safe indoor/outdoor plants for Quaker Parrot who free-ranges Oct 30, 2017 13:20:42 GMT -5

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Post by julianna on Oct 30, 2017 13:20:42 GMT -5

Hello to you both. When my quaker is outside he loves to chew on grass. He doesn't eat it just chews it... gets a little juice out of it I presume, and spits it back out. Just be sure that it has not been treated with pesticides.

It is always so cute to see him sitting on my hand (that is full of grass) and watch him chew. He always closes his eyes like he is just loving what he is doing. lol

cnyguy
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Safe indoor/outdoor plants for Quaker Parrot who free-ranges Oct 30, 2017 19:57:03 GMT -5

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Post by cnyguy on Oct 30, 2017 19:57:03 GMT -5

Welcome! I'd recommend some edible plants that can be grown indoors (or outdoors), like parsley and lettuce. There are plants like the spider plant which are bird-safe, but there's no particular benefit to the parrot eating them.

beccilouise
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Best friend: Maya the grey Quaker Parrot.

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Safe indoor/outdoor plants for Quaker Parrot who free-ranges Nov 5, 2017 14:41:20 GMT -5 julianna likes this

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Post by beccilouise on Nov 5, 2017 14:41:20 GMT -5

We got a Dracaena for our living room as the vet told us it was non-toxic, however, I still do not allow Maya to chew it. Eating it will do her no harm (I assume) but also have no benefit, it just means if she flies over and grabs it before I can do anything, I don't have to rush her to the vet. Dracaena trees look a little like spider plants and ours has proved almost impossible to kill. We've neglected it for months on end before and it still lives! Needless to say, we are a lot more attentive with our pets and, in particular, my parrot!