Is it safe to let them eat grass?

[sunshine_and_beaches]

I have a Blue Crown and I frequently take him outside but I haven't let him in the grass because I'm not exactly sure it's safe. Our yard has crab grass. I'm sorry if this is a silly question but I don't want him to get sick.

 

[cnyguy]

I wouldn't recommend allowing your parrot to eat grass. There could be all sorts of nasty things hiding in the grass-- bird and animal feces that could cause illness, chemical residue from fertilizers and weed killers (even if they're not used on your property, they could seep over from a neighboring one). Better safe than sorry, so I'd follow the old advice often seen on signs: "keep off the grass."

 

[SailBoat]

There are a very large number of different 'grasses,' around the World! In North America there is something like 20 types of grasses the vast majority of which would not harm a Parrot.

The Problem with the grasses found in the yards of North America is not the grass itself, but as stated above, its load of chemicals that are placed on or floats in from other yards and roadways around your specific lawn. Add to that the common load of less then great stuff that has been dropped and just plain exist in the grass and soil below.

In addition, in North America there has been a very successful return of the full cross section of the family of Hawks. With the Red Tail Hawk having the greatest success. A Parrot on the ground is an easy target.