What's the Deal With Mushrooms?

[Teddscau]

Okay, so a lot of sources say mushrooms are toxic to parrots (and every other species on the planet). These are the same sources that say parrots shouldn't be allowed grit since they'll become impacted (this is a North American myth, as vets and bird guardians in Australia and the UK provide parrots with grit, and there hasn't been a single case of a bird ODing on grit), that tomatoes will eat holes through their stomachs (my birds love tomato and various medical professionals say the tomato thing is a myth), lettuce can lead to malnutrition and death (if fed exclusively, then yes, it could happen in theory), and that eucalyptus is toxic to all parrots (fact: most Australian species regularly consume eucalyptus leaves, bark, nuts, flowers, and sap with no ill effect, and they actually benefit from it).

So what's the deal with mushrooms? From what I can tell, most of this fear is unfounded, given these reports on mushrooms being bad tend to be based on animals eating mushrooms that are toxic to humans. I mean, I'm not asking if my birds can eat death cap mushrooms. I'm not asking about hallucinogenic mushrooms. I'm asking about edible mushrooms that young children can eat.

I mean, that one eclectus breeder actually encourages you to include mushrooms (in modest amounts) in your bird's diet. All of her birds are healthy, don't pluck, and don't appear to suffer from toe tapping.

I'm just wondering because there's this whole food supplement I want to get for the kākāriki, but it has shiitake mushroom in it. Here: Rawsome Whole Food Meal

 

[SailBoat]

I'm going to respond to your Thread as a means of getting it bumped back-up the Board!

To be honest, I'm really not sure if you are asking for someone to respond or if you are just grumping about the joys of conflicting information. You may want to clarify.

My Grandmother set the stage for my opinions regarding what was safe and what was not! Being that I'm really old, that places her opinions as much older - the early days of the last Century. So, not sure if that would even interest you.

 

[Tami2]

I'm going to respond to your Thread as a means of getting it bumped back-up the Board!

To be honest, I'm really not sure if you are asking for someone to respond or if you are just grumping about the joys of conflicting information. You may want to clarify.

My Grandmother set the stage for my opinions regarding what was safe and what was not! Being that I'm really old, that places her opinions as much older - the early days of the last Century. So, not sure if that would even interest you.

I welcome your opinions. Please share your thoughts on this subject.
Thank you.

 

[SailBoat]

Okay, so a lot of sources say mushrooms are toxic to parrots (and every other species on the planet). These are the same sources that say parrots shouldn't be allowed grit since they'll become impacted (this is a North American myth, as vets and bird guardians in Australia and the UK provide parrots with grit, and there hasn't been a single case of a bird ODing on grit), that tomatoes will eat holes through their stomachs (my birds love tomato and various medical professionals say the tomato thing is a myth), lettuce can lead to malnutrition and death (if fed exclusively, then yes, it could happen in theory), and that eucalyptus is toxic to all parrots (fact: most Australian species regularly consume eucalyptus leaves, bark, nuts, flowers, and sap with no ill effect, and they actually benefit from it).

So what's the deal with mushrooms? From what I can tell, most of this fear is unfounded, given these reports on mushrooms being bad tend to be based on animals eating mushrooms that are toxic to humans. I mean, I'm not asking if my birds can eat death cap mushrooms. I'm not asking about hallucinogenic mushrooms. I'm asking about edible mushrooms that young children can eat.

I mean, that one eclectus breeder actually encourages you to include mushrooms (in modest amounts) in your bird's diet. All of her birds are healthy, don't pluck, and don't appear to suffer from toe tapping.

I'm just wondering because there's this whole food supplement I want to get for the kākāriki, but it has shiitake mushroom in it. Here: Rawsome Whole Food Meal

See my Post above!

First, unless you are knowledgeable regarding the subject of 'supplements' - Do Not Provide Any Supplement To Your Parrot(s) Without First Have A Full Blood Screen Completed By Your CAV First! Providing Additional Supplements can be just as dangerous as your Parrot being low on any specific item!

Parrot Forum has a long standing 'Off Topic' Forum that any number of Subjects that do not have a 'home' elsewhere on the Forum can be placed. It also has a long history of being the place for 'Soadbox' opportunities, when a member just wants to get a frustration said in a 'semi' safe place!

You Post seems to be presenting a 'level' of frustration with the differences in opinion regarding what is or is not safe for one's Parrot! To that point, the stated items are far ranging and others, very specific. As you rap-up the Thread, it appears your real question is whether one should provide a specific supplement! Correct? If so, see my answer above.

Myths of the World: Whether a North American myths, A myth of Central and South America or any other region of the World, they all have foundations within their regions!

Soil types and whether a specific food is safe in one region of the World, does not assure that it will be in another. Farming methods used in one region will cause individuals from other region to become ill from plants from that region!

My families came from Northern Europe (Northern Germany and much further North). It is not uncommon for individuals from those regions to be more careful in eating higher acid foods grown in their regions without first cooking them. Southern Europe, the same food can be eat fresh from the plant without concern. With additives, now part of farming methods, those problems are not as common! BUT, a plant from ones backyard garden, better cook it first.

My families and what we cook and what we eat fresh is still greatly effected by our Heritage Myths! Those 'Myths' as you call them, saved lives or at least limited illness.

The World of Avian Care differs greatly as practices change with a combination of knowledge growth and to use your term long held 'Myths.'

My Heritage cautions regarding eating mushrooms. There are very specific mushrooms that are eaten (but only after cooked) and that list is limited too two! This due to the number of natural mushrooms from Northern Europe and Northern Americas that are dangerous and look very much like ones that are not.

FYI: There has likely not been a case of a Parrot OD'ing on grit. But the North America Myth has nothing to do with OD'ing, but the grit forming a mass in the Crop of the Parrot!

There is a World of difference between the Search for Answers, than the Search for Knowledge! May your quest be for Knowledge! The understanding of 'Why' a Myth exists is fall more important then what the Modern Belief maybe!

 

[Kiwibird]

To my understanding some varieties of mushrooms can upset their stomach.

In my experience, Kiwi has eaten the occasional tiny bit of mushroom and never gotten an upset tummy from it. It's not something I deliberately include in his diet but sometimes it's in something we're eating that is shared with him. I wouldn't offer any of the more "exotic" varieties of shrooms or ones you harvest yourself, but I seriously doubt the occasional bite of regular old white or brown mushrooms from the grocery store are going to harm a bird.