What are bird friendly plants for a balcony?

[georgiana]

I have a budgie so I want to have fresh herbs and plants for her, but lorikeets fly to my balcony so can they have a nibble? I live on the 35th floor of a building in Brisbane CBD.

Would they know what is toxic as well?

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @georgiana. It's wonderful to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about bird-friendly plants.

Feeding a budgie fresh herbs and plants can be a great way to provide enrichment and nutrition, but it's important to ensure that everything offered is safe. Many herbs, such as basil, parsley (in moderation), coriander, mint, thyme, oregano, rosemary, and lemon balm, are safe and even beneficial for budgies. However, some plants, including onion, garlic, rhubarb, and foxglove, are toxic and should be avoided.

If wild lorikeets visit your balcony, they may nibble on any plants you grow. While birds generally have an instinct for avoiding toxic plants, this isn't always guaranteed, particularly in an urban setting where they might not be familiar with certain foods. If you want to attract lorikeets while ensuring their safety, consider growing bird-friendly native plants like grevilleas, bottlebrush, or banksia in pots, as these are part of their natural diet.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell