This is the third in a three part series about the cyanogenic properties of the members of the Amygdaloieae subfamily of the Rosacea Family. In the first part, I explored the cyanide generating properties of apples and crabapples, members of the Malus genus. In the second, I explored those properties for almonds, peaches, and other stone fruits that are members of the Prunus genus. In this final instalment, I explore the cyanogenicity of some of the fruits in this subfamily that are less frequently mentioned in the literature that you may feed your parrot. These include fruits such as pears, quinces, hawthorn berries and other fruits. These are not discussed much in the avian literature; however, for the most part, there is little reason you should avoid feeding them to your parrot.
Pear
I have no idea why, but pears are not discussed very much in the avian literature. There are more than two dozen species, but the most readily available in USA markets are several varieties of the European pear (Pyrus communis) and the Asian or Nashi pear (P. pyrifolia). The extinct Carolina Parrot would destroy unripe pears to reach their seeds and consequently were once considered a pest species just as they were for apples(11). The wild Maroon-Bellied Conure (Pyrrhura frontalis) eats the fruit of the pear trees planted within its range(15). I have fed my Caiques (Pionites sp.) pieces of the fruit, including the seeds on occasion and I did not notice any adverse effect. Like other members of the Amygdaloieae, pear trees synthesise cyanogenic compounds(24), but the amount in the fruit appears to be so low that Frohne states there is effectively none in them(6).
Quince
The quince (Cydonia oblonga) has the appearance of an apple, but people do not usually eat them out of hand. It is almost always cooked, usually with apples to provide more tartness. The seeds contain about the same amount of cyanogenic glycoside as the apple(8). So they are probably safe to feed your parrot, although, I have found nothing in the literature about feeding them to parrots.
Japanese Quince People grow the Japanese quince or flowering quince (Chaenomeles japonica) as an ornamental for its bright red flower. They produce a fruit, and like the apple and regular quince, the cyanogenic glycoside is found in its seeds in about the same concentration as those fruits(8). So, although I found no reference of people feeding them to their parrots, the fruit is probably safe to feed.
Hawthorn
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Parrot language issue
Puerto Rico’s endangered parrots are facing a new threat to their survival – their strange squawks. In a phenomenon never seen before, Puerto Rican parrots bred in captivity, with a view to being released into the wild, were communicating with a different dialect to the wild populations.
Regent parrots thriving in SA wetland
Passion drips from Tim Field’s every word when he speaks about eastern Regent Parrots. The wetland manager at Banrock Station in South Australia is, it’s fair to say, smitten with these striking birds. “September and October is Regent Parrot survey time,” Tim says, “So we’re up well before dawn to make sure we’re at the wetland’s to track the fly-in, fly-out breeding population.”
Landmark event for Philippine Cockatoo
Exciting news has recently arrived of a landmark event in the Philippine Cockatoo Conservation Program (PCCP), the long-term endeavour to bring about the recovery of this ‘Critically Endangered’ species endemic to the Philippines. For the first time ever, a Philippine Cockatoo rescued from the wild, and subsequently released back to its original site, has been recorded to breed and produce a healthy hatchling. Such rescue and release to augment the wild population is just one of a raft of conservation measures conducted by the PCCP and supported by the Loro Parque Fundación over many years.
Increasing Knowledge of the Most Endangered Parrots
Fifty years ago our knowledge of the status of parrots in the wild was limited. Few parrot species were known to be in danger of extinction and these were mainly Amazona parrots which were confined to small islands. At that time very few species had been studied in the wild.
Coronavirus threat to PNG's animal rescue centre
Port Moresby is the capital of Papua New Guinea and is home to its unique animal rescue centre that is now facing the threat of the Covid-19 pandemic, and could be shut down. Papua New Guinea is the most populous nation in Melanesia and faces a potentially devastating wave of Covid-19 infections.
Cucurbitaceae enrichment for our parrots
The group of cucurbitaceae is the one that includes cucumbers and pumpkins. Climbing or creeping plants that usually cover large areas to produce fruits that usually accumulate a lot of water. In nature, these plants defend themselves with a very bitter substance called cucurbitacin.
Rare macaw refuge destroyed
A rare bird sanctuary in Brazil, which is home to 15 per cent of the world’s population of Hyacinth and Lear’s Macaws, has been destroyed by fires, and there are now fears for the survival of these blue macaws. “It is very sad to see decades of my family’s work, years taking care and preserving nature, for this to happen,” said Ana Maria Barreto, owner of the São Francisco do Perigara, a cattle ranch and bird sanctuary of more than 61,000 acres in Mato Grosso state.
The value of animals
Children at a nursery and day care facility were delighted to receive a visit from some very special guests. Learning Land in Workington has a range of animals drop by, as part of an educational encounter paid for by the Co-op. The store has been working with animal specialists, Pet Encounter Cumbria, based in Workington, to deliver therapeutic and educational visits to children and the elderly.
Complete Psittacine Subtle Secrets for Feeding Psittacines – and Getting them to Eat
I have been daily feeding psittacines for 40 years now and there have been times in the past when I felt that was all I did each day – pets, breeders, babies, the birds at the shoppe in Santa Fe. The good news is this has taught me a whole lot about how to do it. And across all species groups, there are some really good guidelines for what to feed, when to feed, and how to make sure your parrots are actually consuming what you are giving them.
Calabash for parrots
Different types of calabash has grown this year very well within our organic crops and a big advantage for our parrots that are relishing every moment during this season.
