FINCHforum

(Apologies in advance if a similar topic has been discussed. Did not see anything related to societies specifically)

I've gone over the safe plant topic and decided I'd like to make an addition to my finch's cage. I own two society finch and house them in a relatively large cage. As redundant as this may sound, I want to make sure the plant choice that I make is a good choice - which plants do you think would be most suitable for societies?

Thank you!!

Just my guess: plants that are poisonous are poisonous for all birds. I can't imagine that theres a plant that is not poisonous for societies but other birds. Also, most of the lists are written for parrot owners, because parrots tend to chew and eat everything. Finches are much less likely to do that, especially if you provide them regularly with greens such as organic romaine.

However, for inside a cage I would go safe and use some nice artificial plants. They can be cleaned easily and you don't have to worry. And you can place some real plant on top of the cage if possible to make it look nicer from outside. For example a pot of ivy or something similar.

Sorry if that answer isn't exactly what you were looking for, in terms of being society specific.

Spider plants are nice too

Thank you both for your replies. Artificial plants do seem like a better idea. I was reading on how some of the foam they're kept in can be toxic, as well... I'll have to do a bit more research to do on specific brands of artificial plants, too.

I use the plastic plants from Hobby Lobby, or Michael's, or similar craft stores. The ones I use are not in a pot, just have a thick stem. I fasten the plant on the inside of the cage to the back or side wires. Then you can take them out and wash them easily. Real plants in a cage tend to get torn up too quickly. As Ursula said, a real plant on top of a cage makes for a nice look. Ivies or spider/airplane plant work well.

I use mostly plastic plants too, not the ones in pots but the ones you can weave the stems through the bars. They clean really easily and some provide entertainment/challenges for the birds themselves.

My red cheeked cordon bleus spend time every day playing with the plant in their cage (it resembles long blades of grass) and I guess would come in real handy for their little mating dance

My waxbills really enjoy landing on plastic vines that I have strung across their cage. I bet the societies would enjoy this too. Makes new and interesting places to perch.

I also don't use the potted ones, only the lose strands of ivy and things that come tied in bunches. You can use zip ties to tie them on if weaving through doesn't work.

I also avoid artificial plants with berries or other adornments. Just green leafy ones. You never know what the birds might confuse with food.

Hobbylobby is by far the cheapest in my area, and they often have sales where the plants are 50-60% off. I always wait for that and then buy.

Me too. All my plants in my cages are fake plastic or silk ones. I prefer the plastic, cause its easier to clean and lasts longer.

I still have "safe" plants next to the cages though. I like to make it look like a jungle ;)

PrettyBird wrote:Spider plants are nice too

Always my choice for live plants, I have silk plants decorating the birdroom, with a large spider draping into two of the cages

Wow, thank you all! All of your replies have been tremendously helpful!! I can't wait to see how they're going to interact with the plants.

I have had birds pluck off silk flowers for their nests! Line the nests with ailk leaves, my BB mal.always rips.on the palnts to decorate his nest

Now that's adorable...! I always have a dish of Herb Salad (http://www.finchniche.com/product_herbsalad.php) handy for my societies, and they love to take bits of it and line their nest, as well.

With silk plants they can use soft material that will not be used as a snack!

I found some great vine like plastic plants in the aquarium section at Petsmart. I think my Owl hen likes it, so I would bet Societies would also. It is nearly 30" wide and I drape it over her cage and pull some of the 'vines' into her cage to drop down.

It was an experiment, but since she likes them, I will get more when I see them.

The upside I see with aquarium plants is they are water tolerant and I'll experiment to see if they can be cleaned in the dishwasher.