Beneficial plants?

[Learning Finch]

I'm looking for a few pointers on beneficial plants and a dwarf tree and an ivy of sort for my new large aviary. There are lists of toxic and nontoxic plants. No list of what finch prefer to frolic in and eat. I want the plants to be functional. Thanks

[debbie276]

As far as frolic in and eat I would plant their bird seed especially millets.

[wellingtoncdm]

Areca Palm is a favorite. They aren't dwarf but you can purchase small inexpensive ones and swap them out as they need a rest. You can also cover the soil with large gravel or stone.
I agree with Debbie, the birds love grasses grown from finch seed mix.

[Sunbay]

Not a plant, and perhaps not what you are specifically looking for, but I wholeheartedly recommend
Twin Beaks "Herb Salad".
The birds LOVE this!

Several online vendors offer this.

Serve in a big, open dish, and they will pick out what they want or need.

http://www.glamgouldians.com/product-herbsalad.php

Good stuff. I just ordered another big tub of it.

Lauren

[Learning Finch]

Thank you for the replays. As for grass grown with seed? I sprout seed just to the chit stage and then freeze for future use. Do I just let some seed sprout further and plant in a large tub ( cat litter tub) with non toxic soil?? As for the herb salad I grinde up the herbs and place in my egg food as well as mix in with my seed I also mix in sea kelp, spurlina ,vitamins ,bee polin ,oyster shells and a few other things. I may be overdoing it a bit. And I will look further into the palm. Thanks for the sudjestions and any more would be appriecated.

[debbie276]

Do I just let some seed sprout further and plant in a large tub ( cat litter tub) with non toxic soil??

Exactly, let it grow in pots or litter trays

[Learning Finch]

How exciting. Is there a proticular stage to place in the aviary. Like 3" , 6" or 12" growth? Will they completely destroy this in hours like a millet stick. Or will it last a while?? Do I have to grow multiple. Like two tubs. Place one in aviary for a week the switch. And keep switching each week?? Maybe I should do three tubs so each "crop" has two weeks regrouth.

[debbie276]

You could plant grass and wheat along with the millets and grass seed. The plants will grow quite tall depending on variety before it goes to seed. Any length you want can be offered to them. The birds will destroy the plants quickly, especially if the plant is smaller.
If you do this the best way is to rotate the pots so plants can be replanted and/or recover.

[Sally]

You will need duplicates of any live plant that you put in the aviary, as they tend to need a rest from time to time. For hanging baskets, airplane (spider) plant is good, as is Boston fern. For an ivy, pothos ivy is tough and can be fastened up to drape in the aviary. For a small tree, besides the areca palm, you could try a large schefflera.

[Madcat]

Sunbay Good to know!!!

[Colt]

I would think any evergreen tree would be popular for roosting and nesting in. Wild birds certainly appreciate them, especially in cooler climates during the winter. They make excellent windbreaks and often produce small fruits. There are several dwarf and slow growing species available.

The suggestion of seed bearing grasses is very good as the birds will enjoy foraging through the ripening seed heads. It provides enrichment for them and entertainment for you.

Other ornamental grasses (like pampas) usually stand up to the birds pretty well. They can also harvest the stems for nesting material.

Ferns and bamboo don't get torn up too badly. And certain vines like honey suckle, jasmine, etc can provide nesting sites.

I'm sure there is a lot more I'm not thinking of.

[Sheather]

My birds have only a smallish cage, but I have spider plants positioned around it and Draceana sanderiana and Christmas cactus inside. The finches love to nibble the spider plant's runners and new growth and are slowly gnawing the cactus away. xD The dracaenas are tough though and aren't bothered at all. They must taste bad.

Other good plants would be sweet potato vines - edible, nutritious, and extremely fast growing, even in just a jar or bucket of water.

I'd avoid devil's ivy as it is toxic.

[jonvill]

nasturtiums grow well in your climate and the leaves and flowers are edible!

[Learning Finch]

very colorful.. thx

[finchlyn]

Hi Robert. A friend of mine asked me to relay this message to you. I see you have been asking this question in forums and not getting replies for beneficial plants. Well since your aviary is on concrete the trees would need to be in planter...large planters. Any of the dwarf fruit trees would be great. With your gouldians ; The natural tree of Australia and very beneficial for gouldians is the eucalyptus (different from what is grown in California for dried foliage) But if you can get the Australian kind it would be great...though it grows very tall. I plant mulberry bushes/trees, pomegranate bushy/tree, edible passion flower vines. The vines make great shade coverage. The pomegranate will pop open when ripe... the birds will benefit greatly from these fruits. The mulberry is a rather slow growing tree but most birds love the small fruits. The dwarf patio peaches, pear, even citrus will be good also...some will ripen and draw fruit flies (great for waxbills). Also dandelions (great for cleaning the blood), chick weed, dwarf sunflowers, millet grasses, thistle plant, and assorted herb plants like oregano, lemon balm, borage blossoms, bottlebrush, coriander/cilantro, rosemary, sage, fennel, thyme, anise, dill, basil, etc. In your area find out what your native wild finches eat and these would not only probably be accepted by your birds but also cheap and should grow well for you. Best of luck creating a yummy and healthy aviary.