Hi, I just got this plant given to me from a friend, but I need to identify it to ensure it is safe for parrots, as I'm hoping my bird can hang out on it. Thanks in advance
Yes, I just found that, and it does seem similar,...I'm including another picture of my plant, as this doesn't look like that one, to me,...but I don't know. Thanks again
The variation in appearance could be due to cultural conditions. The faint, red leaf margin seen in the second picture seems to confirm the plant's identity.
Ok, thanks very much! Now I just have to confirm if this is safe for birds. Some sites say yes, some say no. I don't suppose you have any idea? Thanks again
Well, we use them as living fenceposts here in our jungles, and the Macaws and Amazon Reds don't seem to have any problem with them... What kind of parrots do you have?
It's a quaker parrot. Do the macaws chew at the plants and foliage at all, or do they just perch on it? Thanks!
I'd say that the birds will be fine...the dracaena, perhaps a little worse for wear. Judging by parakeet behavior, I think that there might be some leaf-shredding and/or nibbling action, leaf-wise. But, hey! Everyone needs a hobby, even parrots. If you don't mind a leaf-shred now and then, the quaker would probably enjoy itself, climbing around and whatnot. Y'know, environmental enrichment and all that jazz.
That's what I was hoping for really,...But,..I just heard back from my avian vet, and they advised that this plant is toxic to cats and dogs, and while they don't have information that it's bad for birds, they don't have any saying it's fine either. They advised strongly that I don't put my bird in it. It's not worth the risk if it might be bad for my bird. I'll just have to find something else for him. Shame,..but neat looking plant regardless :) I'll just keep it another room :)
Hmm. Well, my cats usedta nibble on mine and were OK. (Granted, the nibbling was of an occasional nature. Using the d. as a scratching post was far more frequent.) Of course, do as your vet recommends! ---My mom had a pair of parakeets many years ago, which she allowed to fly freely around the house. One day she came back from an errand... and discovered all the leaves of her at-least-6-foot-tall avocado on the floor. Neatly snipped. She looked around for the birds...called them...literally, not a peep. She waited. After a bit she heard a faint little rustling noise, and a tiny chirp---then saw 2 sets of beady eyes peering over the top of the livingroom curtains. ...Chirp...? Great for birds to have hobbies, but there IS a limit!!! Good thing Mom was good at avocado culture. These darn birds! Ya leave 'em alone for half an hour and just LOOK what happens!
awcrimety, if you're still checking posts here, I'm curious to know if you ever heard more concerning your Madagascar Dragon Tree and your birds? Actually, I was so glad you included the info in your earlier post about the tree being toxic for cats. A dinner guest just gave us a Madagascar Dragon Tree. We have two Maine Coon cats, and one of them LOVED to nibble on maiden grass plants that surrounded our front porch back when we lived in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Nibble is too mild of a word - she feasted on the leaves whenever we let her out onto the front portch. Was actually addicted to it, I'm afraid. We have moved to the Los Angeles area and live in an apartment now, the cats are always inside, and this Madagascar Dragon Tree may look like maiden grass to a cat. I'm going to research the toxicity thing now, and meanwhile I have the plant high up on a bookshelf... but the thing about Maine Coon cats is, they LOVE to climb up to the highest spots in a room.... sigh..... Really enjoyed the post here about the bird that sheared the leaves off the avacado plant! (Then hid, knowing he was guilty. Haha!) Some animals are really just kids with feathers or fur.
Hi! Nope - Unfortunately, I'm a jerk that signed up and posted, got my answer, then never came back. I guess I wouldn't be much good to this community anyway, since this is the only plant I have :) But, I guess the email notifications were still on, so I saw your post. The least I can do is reply :) Anyway,...I spoke with my Avian vet at the time, and they said that it was listed on their 'no-no' list, although it didn't include any particular reasons why. I decided to keep the plant, because I really like it, but I don't let my bird anywhere near it. When doing some google searches though, I believe they ALL said it was toxic to cats. So, despite the fact that I couldn't ever really find a definitive answer, I wouldn't let my pets near it. It's alot easier to keep a bird away from it, than a cat, so I think you might want to consider giving the plant back, or away. But, do as much research as you can bear, and then make your own decision :) Good luck!
Such terrific advice, thank you so much for your time, and your prompt reply. Sigh. As much as we love this little plant, the cats are our "family" now that our kids are grown, and it's just the 2 of us (er - I mean 4 of us - counting felines. : ) I'll research it some more and call our vet now, but I think it's gonna be a no-brainer. Sad. Anyway, thanks again, so much for getting back to me.
