Delonix regia- Poinciana

[raven]

I saw on another site that parrots can eat and relish the seed pods of the poinciana (Delonix regia), and on that site, a woman was selling them as treats for parrots. So my point, does any one know where I can get some seeds of this plant/tree? I know they get huge but we have a big yard so that shouldn't be a problem. Thanks.

[Robyn]

Think i would be careful with that one Raven, I do know it's toxic to Eclectus parrots. There is one growing in the park behind our house & to be honest i don't even see the SC 2'S eating anything from that tree.

It's a lovely shade tree but you would also have to worry about the root system, it can be massive. It clogs up sewage systems & house foundations. It is classed as a weed tree up here in Cairns. Plus it not a native to Australia. The seeds really have a strong smell. But if you are keen on some seeds i can see if i can reach a pod & send some seeds to you.

I have planted Aussie Natives in my yard & it's buzzing with wildlife ATM. Mainly lorikeets, finches & other birds all feeding from the flowers.

Don't take this ladies word that it's safe for Parrots, Google for more info yourself. But to be honest i wouldn't even think of giving it to my birds as I have never seen the wild birds feeding from that tree. However Gum Trees & all other natives yes i have seen it full of birds feeding, even the humble Alexandra Palm the SC 2'S love the seed of them.

Raven bare in mind that out in the wild Parrots have access to mineral licks & the like so that if they do eat toxic leaves, seed or fruit the minerals absorb the toxins or so i have read. Our captive bred parrots have to rely on us for their food.

[vankarhi]

We have a huge poinciana tree in the neighbours yard and we have been here for over 9 years and I have never seen birds in the tree eating or chewing anything. Like Robyn said I would be very very careful. Yes I have seen little birds in there sitting or preening.....but that is all.

[raven]

Thanks for that all, its seems it might be a fruitless search (pun intended) as you say it is a pest in some places and I probably couldn't get seeds into Western Australia. Vankarhi, my garden sounds like yours, we have a wide variety of native trees and plants, most of them the sort that feed parrots and nectar feeders. We also have 30 fruit trees..plenty of food fro them again. The lady in the web site feeds amazons the seed pods and others on the same site have raved about how great they are and how much their birds enjoy them. You do have to be careful not to get poinciana and poinsettia confused. The later are very toxic.

[vankarhi]

Yeah........I think you meant Robyn though ...... not me Vankarhi (Tracey) ;D but .......... I have also like Robyn planted lots of native plants. The poinciana is in my neighbours yard. I do have poincetta's too......but I know they are toxic and would never give them to my birds anyway.

There are so many other food choices.........I just wouldn't risk the poinciana seed pods.

[raven]

Oops you're right...sorry, I was peeping in before rushing off to work..brain got addled.

[vankarhi]

Nov 22, 2010 22:17:35 GMT 10 raven said:

Oops you're right...sorry, I was peeping in before rushing off to work..brain got addled.

No worries..........I do plan on doing what I did here in my yard with planting about 200 trees/shrubs........I plan on doing that again but on a "grander" scale on our 2 acres ;D

LOL ....... just thinking about what I told the kids when we first bought this place 9and half years ago...... They asked me why I was planting so many trees and shrubs ....... me being me, said ............ so I can walk around naked in my own yard and no one will see me lol ;D ;D ........ the kids just shuddered and walked away pmslol ;D ;D

oops and I am sorry I accidently pressed "modify" on your post Raven!! I meant to press "quote"