Build a Rain Forest
BUILDING A RAIN FOREST
By Smiles Germeau
Have you ever wondered how the rain forest began? Have you ever
thought about building a rain forest? Do you know the benefits of a rain forest?
What would a mini-rain forest do for you? What would it do for your birds?
It may sound strange to think about building a rain forest in the Pacific Northwestern
part of the United States, but that is what I'd like to tell you
about.
Getting Started
I did not set out to build a rain forest in particular. I just
knew that we needed some plants around the outdoor aviaries.
Conversations with several people led me to believe it would be possible
with safe plants to have a mini-rain forest around the aviaries for the
birds.
Step One
When I set up the first breeders in our original aviaries, I
purchased a container of hardy bamboo that is the clumping kind. I
still don't know the correct name other than it is called
"Golden Bamboo". This was planted in planters and put on the
floor of our walk-in flights. There were only 6 flights at the
time. This bamboo is very slow growing. It should grow to around
12 to 14 feet high. Some of the starts died. Some grew ever so
slowly. It did grow to the 14 foot height and it did make larger clumps
after a few years. Eventually it grew large enough to divide
and spread around to more birds.
More Plants
An opportunity to acquire some bamboo that would tolerate the
low winter temperatures in our area came up and off we went to
Shelton, Washington to dig bamboo! Many starts were planted
outside in the expansion area of our aviaries. Most of them
grew very well. After a few years, some of the plants needed
to be split and moved. This was great because we had again
expanded, which tripled the size of our breeding area.
Plan Ahead
Plan your plantings to give the birds privacy around the
backs of the cages where the nest boxes are. This gives the
birds a natural area which ultimately gives them security.
A bird that feels safe and secure in the environment will be
much happier and breed much easier.
The kind of plants is very important. They must be non-toxic.
Safe for the birds to eat. Eating the plants is part of the
enjoyment in the rain forest. Seasonal plants are good additions too.
Thus in the winter when sunlight is a premium, the seasonal plants
will have died down and let in more light during the darker
winter days.
Perennial Plants
Ferns: These are a good addition to have around the cages as
they are safe to eat. In our area we are fortunate to have
sword fern as native plants. They will do well in the shaded
area of the flights. Because they die back in the fall and
winter months, they won't darken the aviaries during the winter.
Honeysuckle: They will climb around and into the cages. Your
bird may prune it for you but it may do better on a trellis near
the cages. This will attract humming birds and bees so be
careful.....
Nasturtium: There is the low growing and the climbing type. Both
are good additions and very colorful. My birds truly enjoy the
beauty of the flowers. These will re-seed themselves and grow
year after year.
Hanging Plants
Fuchsia: Color from overhead. Can add shade in smaller areas.
Spider Plant: A lovely green hanging plant and tolerates the
hot sun very well. They also do well without heavy watering.
Asparagus fern: Another good hanging plant and tolerates the hot
sun very well. They also do well without heavy watering.
There are many more available, just be certain they are safe to
be near your birds.
Annual Plants
There are many flowering plants safe to grow around your birds.
Pansies: Make a colorful addition. Many restaurants use them in salads for human
consumption.
African Violets: Low growing and dainty.
Calendula: Rumored to prevent aphid infestations.
Nasturtiums: (climbing or trailing)are a great addition to your
aviaries. They add color, and cool shade for the cages on a hot
day. They tolerate high temperatures very well.
Asters: You can pick a bouquet for yourself if the birds don't
eat them all!
Dandelion: That weed we all hate in the lawns. Let it grow around
your aviaries and have a quick vegetable treat for the birds.
Trees And Other Safe Plants
Some safe trees are Maple, Vine Maple, Willow, Apple, Filbert,
Dogwood, Passion Flower Vine and some palms along with a variety
of Bamboo.
This is only a fraction of the plants, trees and vines available
and safe for our birds.
End Product
After all the plants were in and growing well, we installed a
sprinkling system overhead. This waters the plants and makes rain for
the birds. If the showers don't remove the soil from the plants,
we spray a hose to clean them.
A well planted area also maintains higher humidity which is needed
for breeding birds. A rain shower each morning really gets the
birds singing. It is such a good feeling to hear the birds and
realize how happy they are with the surroundings we have provided.
Build Your Own
With a little research, you can learn which plantings will be best
suited to your area. If you are breeding indoors, you can still
have plants in large pots and containers on wheels. This allows for
easy cleaning. The hanging plants are ideal indoors. Enhances
the breeding and improves the climate by adding oxygen and
humidity to the area. Spray the plants and the birds can shower
too.
Why not try and build a rain forest for your birds?
