FINCHforum

I can't tell if my parrot finches are chewing on the leaves or preening off aphids or other insects. They seem to really enjoy it, whatever they're doing. I don't use any chemicals on the plants, and the plants I used aren't toxic to them, but are they getting any sort of nutrition from the hibiscus plant? A long time ago when I had an iguana I used to feed it hibiscus flowers and he loved them! Something about hibiscus maybe...

They've also spent some time hopping through the creeping fig, but it seems they're mainly after the hibiscus. There's one leaf they keep trying to get to at the tip of one of the stems, but they can't reach it unless they fly next to it like hummingbirds - great to watch!

Also, they sometimes hop on the soil in the planters and look like they're eating some of the soil! I worry about that because potting soil sometimes has time-release fertilizers and little bits of perlite. I'm going to cover the soil with river rocks because I worry, but the birds seem fine.

I just use plastic plants, but the few times I have tried to use real plants, it doesn't work in a small cage, they tore them apart very quickly. In an aviary, whole different thing. With real plants, they love to nibble, plus play with them, try to get nesting material out of them, etc.

As far as the soil, I would recommend only organic soils with no fertilizer added (hard to find sometimes, as all these manufacturers are adding fertilizer to most of their potting soils). Since yours may have some, your idea of putting river rocks to cover the soil is a good one.

I have tortoises that eat weeds mostly out of my yard. I buy organic mixed greens at the store in the winter. I have been told that they can't eat anything that has been treated or fertilized. I would assume that birds shouldn't either if the tortoises can't. Maybe someone else knows for sure? I would err on the side of caution though. Even though they won't be able to get to the fertilizer with the rocks, they can still eat the plant that has the fertilizer in it.

I think you would be safe with the tree leaves, but I would cover the soil with some organic soil. My birds are always in the bottom of my plants digging around. They love it and I have never had any problems with it making them sick. I tried using the river rocks, but they get poop all over them and have to be removed and washed frequently.

I have a tree in my aviary that all the leaves are gone on at the top. It only has leaves at the bottom. Quite funny looking, but the birds love that tree. And that's what counts.

I would buy some potting soil that's organic, and replace the soil in the plant pots you have, when you get a chance. The rocks will help, temporarily, but in a fairly small aviary I would also be afraid that they would spend more time rooting and eating soil than they would otherwise, just for something to do. Best if they do eat any, that there's no fertilizer in it. That's another good reason to have a back up supply of plants, in case they don't do well without fertilizer, and to give them a rest from being picked at.