Can I give kinji Eucalyptus branches?

[Featheredsamurai]

I Usually recommend only giving Australian natives eucalyptus, but I've been finding so many web sites saying eucalyptus is fine for parrots

I know that the berries are toxic to other birds and can make them throw up, but what about the branches and leaves? Eucalyptus is so good for Australian parrots, it helps to clean out their system and has a lot of benefits. it even helps to boost their immune system.

So, what do you all think? I have a branch on Rosie's cage right now and she's really enjoying it, I feel kinda bad that Kinji is missing out on the fun, and we don't have any other trees I could cut a branch off for him(we have a apple tree, but there is a nest on it and nest often harbor bird mites!).

here's a old photo of Rosie's cage with eucalyptus, it's only thrown on top right now, it seems she likes that more

 

[weco]

Yes, the berries are toxic to some birds, but budgies are known to eat the leaves in the wild and the branches are safe for perches.....

 

[tab_xo]

I give Fargo the native gum/eucalyptus trees, the breeders told me it was fine! He never actually chews the leaves though, he just snaps all the twigs and branch parts

 

[Featheredsamurai]

Yes, the berries are toxic to some birds, but budgies are known to eat the leaves in the wild and the branches are safe for perches.....

Budgies are a Australian native, it's the non native birds I worry about.

I give Fargo the native gum/eucalyptus trees, the breeders told me it was fine! He never actually chews the leaves though, he just snaps all the twigs and branch parts

Thanks Tab! I had a spare branch so I stuffed it were his fresh food bowl would go. I used a lower spot since it's his first time (to my knowledge) with natural leafy branches.

 

[Jtbirds]

I've never heard of an issue with them being used for parrots, and as yo stated many sites list them as safe actually almost all sites list that.

 

[Featheredsamurai]

I've never heard of an issue with them being used for parrots, and as yo stated many sites list them as safe actually almost all sites list that.

Here is were I heard of it being an issue, her macaw vomited after eating a good amount of gumnuts. I think I'll always avoid giving the nuts to non natives but I'm glad Kenji can have the branches and leaves. So far he's ignored them lol

My Blue and Gold’s first encounter with Eucalyptus gum nuts resulted in green vomit that seriously freaked me out. He jumped onto the pile of provided gumnuts with a ferocity that was making the galahs stand back. It was interesting to observe because my galahs are bossy when they want something and they really wanted these nuts. He loved them and ate quite a few large ones and would have happily kept going but I pulled him off and distracted him with a toy.
Hours later Fid was vomiting. It wasn’t particularly bad, but it really did worry me. I believe it was a combination of over indulging (greedy pig that he is) combined with a species-related intolerance. He was his normal self again by the next morning and somewhat grumpy about the bland diet I stuck him on while I observed him to make sure!


It makes sense really. Eucalyptus trees are basically toxic to a lot of animals. Native species that rely on them as a food source have different adaptations to help them tolerate any toxins. There is a reason why Koala Bears (who eat specific species of Eucalyptus leaves) are always asleep when you see them. They sleep for roughly 18 hrs a day because it helps their body metabolise those toxins. Similarly my galahs have a good solid sleep in the afternoon after eating gumnuts and it wouldn’t shock me to learn that this helps them digest those same toxins.

 

[Jtbirds]

Huh very interesting! Thanks for the info it seems that Non native species is the issue.