Aussie Finch Forum

I have this growing in my side passageway. Some sort of papyrus... I think? I has heaps of seeds on it. Just wondering it they are ok for the birds?

I think it is a form of sedge!!

Hi Matcho,it is a type Papyrus and where i live it is a noxious weed.It came up in my aviaries,especially around water bowls and yes it is safe for birds to eat the seeds.In the country side around here,it loves to grow beside open drains as its seeds are carried away by water. Craig

Here ya go ...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyperus_papyrus

I don't know about eating Cyperus seeds because they are so small that it may not be worthwhile for the birds but in the wild weavers will utilise it for nesting and brown fire finches are frequently encountered in thickets as well.
Photo by Harriet Stanes

There are several types of Sedges available.They are also referred to as Umbrella Grass.Unlike Papyrus they don't have the fine bushy type heads.
The photo of the Weavers nesting in Giant Sedge(Umbrella Grass) is interesting as I had it growing in a number of aviaries and eventually pulled it out as not one specie of small finch or weaver used it as a nest site.It was a pity as it was quite attractive. As for papyrus the weavers didn't build in it but tore the heads apart for nest building. I think birds would nest in Papyrus privided you could support it as in the wind it will move about far more than the normal reeds.

I have had it in my aviaries for years...many of the finches eat the seeds but I think it is more a play food than a staple....growns quite tall and I am forever pushing it out of my way to get to parts of my aviary...not a big deal unless it has been raining.

Cyperus - Umbrella Grass 13°C (55 deg F). Africa

A problem I had with this stuff was a B-H Dove youngster getting well and truly stuck when 'landing' between the upright stems. Would have died if I hadn't found it. May have been a one in a million chance, but I got rid of it just in case