FINCHforum

I am building an aviary 8m x 3.6m x 2.5m high outsite, one of the existing walls has alot of ivy growing on it is this a problem for finches and softbills?

Hello...welcome DVD!

From what I have read....English Ivy is considered a toxic plant.

Below is a link to a site that lists Toxic and Non-Toxic plants. Hope this helps some.

Toxic & Non-Toxic Plants Etc.

A pal of mine built a lean to aviary the full length of a Victorian wall that was covered in ivy at least two feet thick.
He finished up with a 30 foot aviary that looked totally natural with ready made nesting sites by the hundred.Plus hosts of insect food on a plate.
This was about 5 years ago and the ivy has had no effect on the birds whatsoever.
The world is full of toxic plants...the toxins are present in most cases to ward off insects and caterpillars.It is very rare for a bird to ingest dangerous foliage.

That is interesting you should say that PoohBear....I always wondered if the birds would really eat the plants.

I do notice my Owls love to pick at the fake Ivy in the cage....just wonder if they would do that to the real English Ivy or if they would seem to know it is not safe. And when they say toxic do they mean the leaves or the vines or both?

This is getting confusing!

Thanks Guys, much appreciated!

These plant lists are definitely confusing. I notice that holly and pyracantha are listed as toxic plants, yet the wild birds eat the berries off both plants. Thanks for the input on the English ivy, poohbear--a wall of ivy sounds like a wonderful setting for finches building nests.

I have though quite often that we wouldn't have many wild animals if they didn't instinctually know which plants are toxic and which are safe. Thanks for bringing that up, Paul.