Are wild sunflower seeds safe for my pet bird?

I found a sunflower at a school near my house, and I am wondering if the seeds in it are safe to give my severe macaw as a treat. Since the plant was found in a school garden I do not think it has pesticides on it, but I want to be sure the seeds are safe, as I have only fed my bird packaged seeds before.

Are wild sunflower seeds safe for my pet bird?
As most people have said, sunflower seeds are great for an occasional treat because they are high in fat and relatively low in nutrition.





As for if it's okay to feed your bird, the wild seeds, I would also say that it depends on the area that you live in and the area the sunflower plants are located as well. You said that you THINK they are pesticide free. You need to be sure no pesticides have been used on them or other plants nearby.





Are the sunflowers located near a road way where cars drive close by. The exhaust fumes from automobiles contain harmful chemicals that could be deposited on the flowers and seeds themselves. Do you live in a area where there is a lot of air pollution.





Heavy metals such as lead and zinc are toxic to birds. I believe that the gasoline now processed and sold is lead free, but I have no idea what other chemicals and metals may be used in the process. Perhaps there are some chemist here that can answer that question?





Also, consider the fact that wild birds also land and feed on these flowers. Wild birds can be carriers of parasites, both ecto and internal parasites. Wild birds feces that could be deposited on the flowers can also expose your bird to various viruses....Influenza A virus subtype H5N1,West Nile, Pox etc.





Lastly you need to consider the fact that these seeds may have various molds that are common in the environment on them. Some molds are fatal to parrots....aspergillosis etc.





I would probably not feed them to my own birds due to the all of the unknown variables.
Reply:They aren't bad treats but keep them as that TREATS. From what I understand they are pretty fattening, and if your parrot ingests too many they can be toxic. Some people avoid them all together. I personally would only buy ones that are sold in stores, and its a plus if they're organic. Just remember that they should be a treat if anything! Good luck!
Reply:Sunflower seeds are like candy or drugs for birds (i found out the hard way) took my parrot for a vet check and I was told he was too fat to fly. Keep them as a training treat not a staple in their diet. Bird food that looks like cat food pellets is the best you can get it from your vet or selected pet stores....but never just change their diet cold turkey...introduce new food a bit at a time.
Reply:The Pesticides would be the only problem..I grow Sunflowers for treats for the wild birds. I do organic though.
Reply:It is probably safe, but why take the risk? Growing sunflowers is super easy anyway. You would be better off growing your own. Also, do not give very many seeds to your macaw. Even though macaws can have more fat in their diet than some of the other parrots, it is easy to give them too much. They can have a couple of brazil nuts a day or about a tablespoon or 2 of sunflower seeds. I really hope you also give him veggies and pellets. If not, please research this. :)
Reply:Sure..... but first please go to a vet.......
Reply:sunflower seeds are good to be given once a week for your parrot (i heard that alot of it makes the parrots' life shorter, meaning instead of living 20 years it lives 5!)
Reply:My answer would be - FIND OUT who planted the darn thing and if an pesticides were used in the area.. like if there is grass 6 inches from the plant, and they fertilized the grass or 'used weed killer in the grass to remove weeds' then *I* would not feed it to my pets.





Sunflowers are easy to grow organically the ONLY issue is this:





Clearly the wild birds love them too, so trying to get the head OFF the sunflower before all the wild birds have eaten the seeds is the true challenge.. take it off too sooon and they aren't developed enough.. take it off too late and your bird got a tablespoon if he was lucky off the whole plant LOL





There USED to be some 'screen' or something to protect the seeds in the plant until the seeds were closer to maturity, but I THINK the birds outsmarted them and they are once again playing beat the wild birds!! LOL Check with your local nursery/garden center to see if any of these nets/covers (see thru) exist anymore for the heads of sunflowers).. worth a shot!! Good Luck and Enjoy!! Sunflowers are GORGEOUS and they grow great around here with all the sun .. I need to plant some too - my Amazons sure don't need them (fatties) but I LOVE seeds, if I could figure out what THEY do to them to make them so yummy.





Good Luck hun!!
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