I was browsing the internet and went to a couple of popular well known places and they listed asparagus as NOT a safe food. Then when I went on another place they said it was good for them.

Kiwi and Gidget don't get asparagus often at all, and of course NOW they will not get it at all. I always err on the side of caution when in doubt.

Just wondering what you all thought...

It's on the "Great Stuff" list of foods from this website. I offered some (cooked) to Casey this week, but she wouldn't touch it.

Curious... but I am sure it is fine!

Well, I have not heard about it being bad before But I do feed it to my fids.Dodger just picks oon the top of the stems, but the macaws gobble it up.......
I hope its not bad...I have 2 more pounds of steamed asparagus in the freezer still

Wow ...My boys nibble at it at least once a week.....I thought it was good for them...must check out a few more sites..

It is confusing
I do know that asparagus can cause severe stomach upset in parrots due to the fact it contains Asparagin. Do a google on "Asparagin Parrots" to get some details on it.

I am not sure of its toxicity level other than I keep reading it causes stomach issues.

Here are the sites I went to that said that asparagus was bad:
http://www.quakerville.com/qic/good-bad-food.asp

http://www.petcraft.com/docs/safebird.shtml

***the petcraft site said the same thing you did IMPY...

actually this site, the quakerparrots forum lists it as "good food"

I am so confused......

http://www.quakerparrots.com/diet/food-nut...le-for-parrots/

It is definitely on the "GREAT STUFF!" List. (I have it on my Fridge too for quick reference.) I can see how people might think it's bad, but if others have been feeding it to their birds for a while now, I think it should be okay.

bumping up for further input.......
First off, out of 3 sites, 2 of them list asparagus as UNSAFE and only 1 list it safe. What does that tell ya? I would be very cautious.........

Two sites mention asparagus to be toxic. The food nutrition site on this forum mentions asparagus to be a great food, but that is in her opinion only. So I am going with the fact that two sites mentioned asparagus to be toxic versus this nutrition site in the forum to be safe and great I will go with the toxic site. I have discussed this with other bird people on different groups and they say no asparagus. I would rather be safe than sorry. It is asparagus season so beware. Aparagus is a diruretic!

Asparagus isn't as bad as some warn. It has the potential to cause gastric upset if they are fed too much of it (humans, too), but a little is certainly okay. Most of us wouldn't let our birds gorge on any one thing. Apsaragus is a decent source of vitamin K, A,Bs, C, and folic acid. Fed moderately, the pros outweigh the cons. It is easier to digest if cooked a bit. A chunk of it now and then is okay. Mine usually get a litte piece when I have it, it is definitely not a daily veggie. I LOVE asparagus omelets! But with acid reflux, I have to watch how much I eat, too.

Ok, I asked this question on a macaw forum and also talked with my avain vet.Its a good source of vitamins...like many other things moderation is the key.Added to the diet once a week or so is fine...feed every day may not be.
Also said by my vet was just like people...birds are individual..what may cause one stomach discomforte may not the other.Some birds he has seen has had problem eating broccoli..but that doesn't mean NOONE should feed it.If concerned watch the bird for an hour or so after snacking on asparagus..if it seems to cause the bird discomforte then no longer offer it.If the bird seems fine..there is no reason not to offer it again.There is for sure no toxins in it that could cause long term effects.
Everyone I talked to on my macaw forum said they do offer it and none has ever had any trouble form it.

in the book called " The Healthy Bird Cookbook" Which you can buy at www.amazon.com for $10.95 says this about Asparagus


Asparagus(especially tips) This is a good source of vitamin A & Niacin