Safe woods

[TortoiseLady17]

In this thread they show a jungle/forest that they made for their bird.

http://www.parrotforums.com/conures/17434-another-step-forward.html

We would love to do something like this. My question is are there any types of woods we should stay away from? We have a huge oaks tree outback that we get fallen branches from, is this ok?

 

[Molcan2]

No oak, here is a link that has a list. I have seen oak used in parrot enclosures at local zoos around here but its listed as toxic on every list I've looked at.

Bird; Birds: Safe, Toxic Trees, Woods. Safe Tree Wood. Parrots. Parrot cages.

 

[roxynoodle]

I've never used it either as I always see it listed as toxic, but some people here say they do use it. I don't want to take my chances though seeing it listed as toxic.

 

[TortoiseLady17]

Thanks so much for the link! I had a feeling oak would be on the list since we have such easy access to it. Lol

 

[Mare Miller]

My bird is on, around and in oak daily. No ill side effects in going on two years. Unless there is a latent disease that will hit him later on in life, it seems to work for him. I would like to add, that if you bring it in from outside, it is recommended to wash and sanitize it first.

 

[roxynoodle]

My bird is on, around and in oak daily. No ill side effects in going on two years. Unless there is a latent disease that will hit him later on in life, it seems to work for him. I would like to add, that if you bring it in from outside, it is recommended to wash and sanitize it first.

Yes, one must wonder if some woods might be safe for some species but not others. We just see lists for parrots in general. Maybe oak is ok for 'Toos but kills Greys so they just put it on the toxic list.

 

[Mare Miller]

Good point Roxy! I realize I'm a rogue parrot owner on this forum and my only real life experience with a parrot comes to me from living with Amigo. That's why I appreciate you all so much. Helps me see the other side of things, thanks.

 

[roxynoodle]

Well, they all come from different continents and parts of continents. Trees native to N. America aren't the same as those in S.America, Africa, Asia or Australia. So I would not be the least surprised to find some are toxic to some birds but not others.

 

[Mare Miller]

If you own an umbrella cockatoo, I feel safe in saying, oak wood is not going to harm him/her. Honestly, though, Amigo has chomped on every wood in our forest, here in Central Cal, from oak to pine to manzanita, (he loves manzanita berries), we grow apricot, pomegranate, plum trees, he's tried them all, mock mulberry, eucalyptus, ash trees, all on our property. Umbrella cockatoos are pretty hardy birds, Amigo has chomped off more than one branch of each of these and still lives.