Can I feed my macaws Palm nuts from outside?

[locito277]

Hi guys, I have a Harlequin and a Blue/Gold Macaw. I feed them pellets, fruits, veggies etc. I recently moved out of the beach and now we have a backyard with Palm trees. These palms are always producing greenish nuts. Id like to know if I can feed these to my birds with out the worry of poisoning them? We live in Miami so Palm trees are producing year round basically. I also wanted to know what local trees I should put into the Aviary Im building them? I know they will chew them up but I figure that if I give the plants a headstart growing maybe theyll start be able to survive the once or twice a week barrage of bird beaks LOL. Thanks

 

[BillsBirds]

I also live in Florida, and am surrounded by palm trees. I do not feed my fids palm nuts from outside, or any other fruit from local trees. I'm worried about possible pesticide either on, or in, the fruit/nuts. Also, pests (lice, mites, ticks), or bacteria, etc. from wild birds. Even though local wild birds eat these things, including Quakers, our birds do not have the built up immunity from various dangers that comes from living in the wild.

 

[locito277]

Thanks for the feedback Billsbirds. The pesticides would be absorbed into the seeds? That was my main concern. I take it Coconuts are out too? :-(

 

[Merlee]

I also live in Florida, and am surrounded by palm trees. I do not feed my fids palm nuts from outside, or any other fruit from local trees. I'm worried about possible pesticide either on, or in, the fruit/nuts. Also, pests (lice, mites, ticks), or bacteria, etc. from wild birds. Even though local wild birds eat these things, including Quakers, our birds do not have the built up immunity from various dangers that comes from living in the wild.

I am a bit confused about pesticides getting into palm trees. Aren't they super tall? How would the pesticides get up there? Do you live in an agricultural area?

 

[JerseyWendy]

I am a bit confused about pesticides getting into palm trees. Aren't they super tall? How would the pesticides get up there? Do you live in an agricultural area?

I was actually wondering the very same thing. Yes, they are VERY tall as far as I know. Additionally, some local specialized bird stores offer palm nuts at ridiculous prices around here, so where would THEY get them from if not Florida/California?

I feed my birds rose hips from my Rugosa roses, which have NEVER been sprayed with anything, and they certainly love them.

 

[Alwese]

I live in Jacksonville Florida and I have tried to feed these palm nuts to my birds in the past, but they were not even remotely interested in them. Macaws eat a lot of things that would be very poisonous to us, in the wild with no problems. Why this is so I don't know. Also has anyone ever discovered why they eat clay from the banks of streams and what purpose it serves? Hyacinths in the Pantanel region eat almost exclusively a different palm nut than what we have. I hear Hys are very fussy eaters and most people have them eating Macadamia nuts, which they apparently like. Plax, maybe you can enlighten us on how your Hy likes other foods. P.S. none of my guys like coconut either (coconuts don't grow much farther north than West Palm Beach)

 

[plax]

Simple surface absorption is not the only way chemicals can get into produce. Another way pesticides can get into any plants is through the soil. So it really depends on two factors: 1) if (and how) the soil is prepared and, 2) if water from human-assisted irrigation and/or rain has washed existing chemicals off of plant outer surfaces and into the soil below where such substances can easily be absorbed by the root systems. However, I have no idea how vulnerable palm trees in Florida or California may, or may not be to the above.

Alwese: Zaf is quite a finicky eater. In fact he only likes Macadamia nuts if they are the wet-in-the-shell ones. Among his favorite treats are unsalted cashews, whole grain bread with some peanut butter on it, and Harrison's Power Treats. Most other things he may take or leave, depending upon his mood.

 

[khaiqha]

According to the planet earth series, macaws eat clay to adorn toxins from the food they eat.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Simple surface absorption is not the only way chemicals can get into produce. Another way pesticides can get into any plants is through the soil. So it really depends on two factors: 1) if (and how) the soil is prepared and, 2) if water from human-assisted irrigation and/or rain has washed existing chemicals off of plant outer surfaces and into the soil below where such substances can easily be absorbed by the root systems. .

Thanks a million for the information, Plax. It certainly gave me piece of mind because I'm an organic gardener. Additionally, I only give out rosehips VERY sparingly and not often at all.

 

[plax]

According to the planet earth series, macaws eat clay to adorn toxins from the food they eat.

Yes, that's the theory. The minerals in the clay supposedly neutralize toxins that exist in certain plants. (I was going to comment on that but forgot.)

 

[plax]

Thanks a million for the information, Plax. It certainly gave me piece of mind because I'm an organic gardener. Additionally, I only give out rosehips VERY sparingly and not often at all.

You're welcome, Wendy. I try to feed my guys organic produce exclusively. I have to admit, though, that non-organic things slip in from time to time :19: But I do my best.

 

[Birdlover11]

According to the planet earth series, macaws eat clay to adorn toxins from the food they eat.

Yes, that's the theory. The minerals in the clay supposedly neutralize toxins that exist in certain plants. (I was going to comment on that but forgot.)

Didnt also give them some minerals that can't be found in they're food? I read in a book about parrots a few days ago

 

[plax]

According to the planet earth series, macaws eat clay to adorn toxins from the food they eat.

Yes, that's the theory. The minerals in the clay supposedly neutralize toxins that exist in certain plants. (I was going to comment on that but forgot.)

Didnt also give them some minerals that can't be found in they're food? I read in a book about parrots a few days ago

Yes, I'm sure there are.

 

[locito277]

Hey guys thanks for all the feedback. I've decided to skip the palm nuts although my yard has millions of the red and green ones :-(. Sticking to fruits and veggies from the market for now. Can you guys recommend any good macaw books? I have a few but am always looking to learn new things

 

[henpecked]

I feed the amazons palm nuts,both green and ripe . I have several queen palms in the back yard and harvest nuts often. I haven't tried the green ones myself but the ripe ones are sweet on the outside and taste pretty good. most of the zons love them.