Walters Nuts

[Miffy]

Walter eating a nut

[CLB]

Does he do well with those? Shadow won't eat them unless i crack them first.

[Miffy]

No he just likes to play with them but his not stong enough to break them

[Sarasota]

He's so adorable.

[birdhouse]

No he just likes to play with them but his not strong enough to break them {yet}

 

Phenix loves nuts. He can open most of them in no time flat. I don' t know if they're just not strong enough when they're younger. And the older birds may just not like them enough to be bothered? Although I can't imagine watching my guys!

 

But acorns have tannins & are on the unsafe list

http://www.avianweb.com/toxicfoods.html

 

Some types of wild birds do eat them. But birds metabolisms can differ a great deal. So those are one of the things to be cautious about feeding. I was so disappointed when I saw this because of course I've got tons & tons of the silly things.

[Miffy]

It's actually an almond not a acorn

[birdhouse]

:confused: Don't know if it's my browser or my glasses. Sorry about that!

[Timbersmom]

LOL I thought it was an acorn or a hazelnut. Doesn't look like an almond to me either. New seminar for the forum... identifying nuts, branches, and other potential hazards

[birdhouse]

Thanks, whew! I actually looked a couple of times before I posted & again after. lol

[judygram]

Thats ok Val, we all need reminding especially the new members that acorns are NOT ok for our fids.

[birdhouse]

lol But not apparently this new member! Thanks Judy. Sorry again, Miffy

[Miffy]

opps its a hazelnut I always get them mixed up with almonds. But thanks for reminding me that acorns are toxic. I understand Bitter almonds are very toxic but sweet almonds are fine is that correct?

Edited August 31, 2012 by Miffy

[birdhouse]

Sweet almonds are usually greyt unless the bird's allergic, which can happen. Shell on is generally good foraging, too. Until Walter can actually open his own, you might give him a slight head start at one end, though.

 

http://www.landofvos.com/articles/NutNutrition.html

 

 

I haven't found any list that covers everything. But the link that I ref'd earlier is pretty comprehensive. http://www.avianweb.com/toxicfoods.html lists bitter almonds as especially toxic to birds.

 

 

For anyone who isn't familiar w/bitter almonds -

 

"The bitter almond is a cousin to the sweet almond and contains traces of lethal prussic acid in its raw state. Although the toxicity is destroyed by heat, the sale of unrefined bitter almonds is prohibited in the United States. Fifty unprocessed bitter almonds can be lethal to a human. Yet, bitter almonds are successfully processed to make almond extract and almond-flavored liqueurs."

 

http://homecooking.about.com/od/cookingfaqs/f/faqbitteralmond.htm

Edited August 31, 2012 by birdhouse