Kathy,
 
 KJ> Has anyone out here ever fed their birds cactus pears?
 KJ> "Feeding your pet bird", or "Healthy Diet, Healthy Bird", *or* the RH&H
 KJ> book. I'd like to know what nutrients they offers (if any), and if there
 KJ> are any hidden hazards (other than those seeds).
In spanish is call tuna. Commonly called prickly pear. It's yummy, but I 
don't 
know what the nutritional value is.
They are what the flower grows from and they are everywhere here. 
When I have the nerve I sometimes pick them for myself and the birds. Why 
does 
it take nerve to pick them? They are covered with thousands of little prickly 
needles that are hard to get out of you skin. The best way to get them off is 
to roll them around on the ground for a bit to knock them off. Then you can 
take a rag to them.
It is a common fruit in Mexico and is served, pealed and sliced, by venders 
on 
the street. There are no hazards that I am aware of. Go for it.
--- PPoint 1.92
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