Leafs, flowers and seeds of the cow vetch
(Vicia cracca) are a highly appreciated delicacy for
many budgies and other pet birds. Not each bird likes the green
parts of the plant. But if you offer the seeds to your little
friends, they will greedily eat them. Cow vetches reach a length
of about 1.5 meters and sprawl along other plants where they
fix themselves with their nooses. From June to August, one
can find the purple flowers of the cow vetch and the half-ripe
seed vessels, too.
Half-ripe seed vessels (see left photo below) and the tiny seeds inside of them seem to be very tasty. My budgies love to nibble this food. When the seeds of the cow vetch have become ripe, the seed vessels are black (see right photo below).
Half-ripe seed vessels
Ripe seed vessels
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