FINCHforum

Just Ided a common wild vine that grows in my yard, apparently people keep these as ornamental plants. I can't find much about it as far as bird safe goes. So far two bird sites have mentioned it as safe. I think it would look great trailing on my aviary. What do you guys think? Safe?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thunbergia_alata

I'm familiar with this vine. Are you planning to plant it alongside your outdoor aviary? As much as people say not to put toxic plants with birds, I think birds (especially finches) have enough common sense not to eat something that is toxic. They may possibly nibble at the plant, but I think that birds know when something does not taste good/taste right.

I wonder if anyone has actually had a incident where a finch knowingly ate a toxic plant and died? I would imagine that given that wild finches have access to all kinds of wild plants (poisonous and non-poisonous) that they would be able to contain themselves otherwise even in captivity?

If you have the space, I think a nice wisteria goes well with a outdoor aviary. Better yet, passion fruit vines are gorgeous and are totally safe as well. Otherwise, I think you should be fine with this vine (or any vine for that matter).

Here is a list of safe plants for finches:
http://www.mfgouldianfinches.com/Housin ... lants.html

I agree. I once had a free-flight 9x10 room, and I had all kinds of potted plants in it. The birds destroyed the plants (like Boston fern) that were safe, and didn't touch the poisonous plants. However, I am not advocating using plants that are on the unsafe list, because if they have no other plants available, they may nibble on the unsafe ones. Given a wide choice, then I think they leave the unsafe ones alone.