The most common of the Australian Pines is also known as the Casuarina. You will sometimes see Australian Pine recommended for budgie perches. I don't know where this idea came from but it's highly unlikely that you would ever be able to acquire one and even more unlikely that you could find anyone who could identify one. Although it is true that a few species of pine grow in Australia they are all rare and protected species.
One such tree, Casuarina Glauca, is known variously as the she-oak, ironwood, Australian pine, whistling pine, and swamp oak. However these trees are totally unsuitable for perch wood and in the wild they do not attract birds.
Their drooping foliage was said to resemble the feathers of a cassowary, hence the name. Despite a superficial resemblance to pine trees, they are true flowering plants. The "needles" are modified stems with the true leaves as tiny scales encircling the "needle". This is a feature which reduces water loss and is an adaptation for drought. The Swamp She-oak is a most common casuarina and is the tree found closest to the salt. The trunk is often killed by salt-water but is easily able to regenerate by root-suckering.
Though it resembles a pine, it is from a different plant group. It's so-called "needles" are jointed cylindrical branches arranged in whorls. The plant also produces a cone-like woody capsule 1/2 to 3/4 inches wide which birds will use to exercise their beaks.
Go to
Budgie Colours
Nesting Materials
Australian Pine
Eucalyptus Oil
or
Introduction
Budgie & Parrot Products
Customer Pictures
Photo Gallery
How to Order
Budgie Care
Benefits of Eucalyptus
Budgie Myths
Our Story
Budgie Study
Testimonials
Links
Buy our Natural Budgie Products
From Sunny Australia Home of the Budgerigar:
FreshPak
(Eucalypt leaves)
TwoPak
(Nut and branch Toys)
FastLok
( Budgie Perches)