EVERYTHING IS POISONOUS

[MisterGribs]

Icearstorm If you are worried about your own ID skills, take some pictures and let everyone help you identify!

[Icearstorm]

Babs and Sally

That's good to know. I have a small crape myrtle, so I might be able to get cuttings from it every once in a while.

[Icearstorm]

MisterGribs

Good idea! I'll have to take some photos once I get back.

[Gracie85]

I have used Birch, especially white birch which is easy to identify. Beech, also an easy one to spot. Apple and pear.
Hibiscus, also known as Rose of Sharon, easy to spot because of the blooms. Grapevine, just not from a commercial place to be sure it has not been sprayed.

And honestly, finches do not chew up and eat large amounts of wood, and the wild birds live in all kinds of trees, so your common maples and even oaks should all be fine.

Wash it well, let it dry. If you bleach, be sure to rinse extensively, then let it dry and air out until there's no bleach smell anymore. instead of bleach, I have poured hydrogen peroxide over branches. Also, I have just washed with water and let them dry a good long time, in the house or garage, then used them. You can also give them a slow-roast in the oven, if they fit, something like 200-250 degrees maximum for an hour. Have found that roasted branches are much much harder and stronger, even the budgies don't do much chewing on them.

[Icearstorm]

Gracie85

That's interesting; I would have thought roasting would break down the branches instead. I tend to break off the branches and then leave them until the leaves fall off, or at least dry out enough for me to easily remove them.

[lovezebs]

Icearstorm

Another way to identify different trees, is to take small samples in different ziplock bags to your nearest garden centre. They should be able to help you identify them, and you can put a note in each bag as to which is which.

I use all sorts of branches that I collect on my dog walks. Wash them, dry them and use them. Have never had any issues.

My guys love LOVE apple and crab apple branches in the Spring, when they have fresh leaves and flowers on them. They pull the leaves off and munch on the blooms.

[Icearstorm]

lovezebs

I don't know why I didn't think of a garden center. There aren't any super close to me, but going to one during an errand run shouldn't be too difficult.

[lovezebs]

Icearstorm

Glad I came up with a good idea.,. .

[Icearstorm]

I was finally able to get a couple of magnolia branches. The birds don't seem particularly afraid, though I wonder how long it will be before they go to the other end of the cage.

[MisterGribs]

How are your birds enjoying the magnolia?

[Icearstorm]

MisterGribs

A few of the society finches sit on the leaves and try to eat it. The gouldians don't seem terribly interested in it, but no one is freaking out, so that's good.

[Icearstorm]

Just added a few ferns, and the society finches are already eating them. I'll see how it holds up.

[Fraza]

Icearstorm stick some miller behind the leaves and I’m sure they will be rumbling through ther getting the mullet once they have been in once they will always be hiding in there they might even make a nest

[Icearstorm]

Fraza

That's a good idea. I don't want them to nest though; Macbeth's already laid three clutches, and now about half of my birds are related.

[Fraza]

Icearstorm Ohright haha yep I guess u definetly don’t want them breeding anytime soon then haha

It’s hard to see on the khtoto but they look like nice society’s them I prefer them pure colours instead of pied ones