The Great Outdoors

[Stasia]

Good morning everyone! I have a question about outdoor safety. Our parrotlet LOVES to go outside with us. We bring him to the park a lot when we have a picnic and we do let him come and play from his travel cage onto the grass (only when his wings are newly clipped though). Of course we supervise him with our eyes on him like glue and hands in a ready position, but he usually likes to take one step from the blanket to the grass and then just sit in the grass right next to us and look all around and try to talk to the outdoor birds!! It's so cute because even freshly mowed grass is too tall for such a tiny bird and he has to try and life his feet up really high like he's marching to walk around. My question is, is it safe for birds to eat fresh grass?? Or all those other little plants that grow with grass, weeds I suppose they are?? So far I stop him every time he starts to nip at it, but I wanted to get some feedback. Thanks!!

Stasia

[The Outlaw]

Stasia:

Probably not. There are chemicals used to control insects, fungicides and fertilizers. In addition, you have the droppings from wild birds to contend with. NEVER allow your parrot to use a bird bath outdoors, either.Just thought I'd throw that in while I was thinking about it. Many wild birds defacate in them while bathing.

Parrotlets are so tiny I'd be nervous about taking them out without some kind of cage around them. Hawks are pretty clever and when times are lean, they'll drop down and scoop up a small bird before you even know what hit. I usually have a mound of dove feathers under my bird feeder every day from mourning doves who failed to notice the Red Tails above them.

What might be a cool solution would be to grow some grass seed in a tray with "clean" dirt. An old birdcage would be great to use. Then you could safely put your little guy inside and take him outside with you. He could happily sit on his own private lawn.

THE OUTLAW

[ParrotletLover]

What might be a cool solution would be to grow some grass seed in a tray with "clean" dirt. An old birdcage would be great to use. Then you could safely put your little guy inside and take him outside with you. He could happily sit on his own private lawn.

Awesome idea Nancy!

Stasia,

Lily goes outside with me sometimes, but she is always in her little travel cage. She doesn't seem to enjoy the outside very much, though.

[Stasia]

Thanks Nancy and Blake!

Nancy- That's a great idea with making an indoor play area! Just to let you know too, we really only let him sit on the grass right inside our laps or use his flight suit with the little leash attached. I just don't want anyone to think I just let him take off! :) I definitely never thought about pesticides or hawks though thank you for mentioning that, I think we'll stop the picnics outdoors!

Stasia