In a life-and-death situation when every minute counts for an animal, you can call the ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center for 24-hour emergency information at 888-4ANI-HELP (888-426-4435).
Toxic: Toxic Household Products … Toxic Carpeting … Teflon Poisoning … Dangerous Air Filtration Systems
Safe / Healthy: Safe Alternatives for Toxic Household Cleaners … Natural Pest Control … Air Filtration Systems
The below is not a complete list. It is recommended that you consult with a vet, if in doubt.
Please note that the items marked with an* are especially toxic to birds and can be fatal. Toxic foods are foods that can cause allergies and/or health problems in birds. Anything high in sugar or salt is inappropriate, as are fatty foods. More serious are things such as chocolate, which is toxic to many pets. Caffeinated or alcoholic beverages are also dangerous. I provided additional information as was available.
| Acorns
Agave, Maguey, Bayonet, Agavaceae Toxic Principle: Sap from the leaves, Seeds, Calcium oxalate raphides, Acrid volatile oils, Mechanically injurious Clinical Signs: Oral mucosa irritation, Contact urticaria, Skin: Immediate burning, erythema, urticaria, and edema, Granuloma reaction from punctures by leaves Alcohol Almond Plants / Seeds / plant-pan allergen profilin can cause serious reaction in some birds: Generally all plants of the Prunus genus EXCEPT the pulp of the fruit contain amygdalin or related glycosides which are slowly hydrolyzed to hydrocyanic acid. Some allergic reactions to almond nuts have been observed. Alocasia Amaryllis: Clinical Signs: Can cause vomiting, diarrhea, depression, appetite loss, tremors, drooling and abdominal pain Angel’s Trumpet (some species), seeds, leaves Apple Seeds (small quantities ok) *Apricot (seeds, wood) Arrowgrass *Autumn Crocus Asparagus Fern – Sprengeri Fern, Lace Fern – Toxic Principle: Non-toxic, Berries, Sapogenins, Foliage Clinical Signs: Dermatitis, Irritant, Cardiac, sedative, and diuretic effects Autumn Crocus/Meadow – Saffron *Avocado (any part of the plant — including flesh, leaves, seeds, stem, skin) Azaleas: Can cause weakness, upset stomach, drooling, heart failure, depression and possible coma Baneberry Beans: Broad, Castor, Glory, Fava, Horse, Mescal, Navy, Pregator, Scarlet Runner) – Large Beans: such as Anasazi, Black, Fava, Kidney, Lima, Navy, Pinto, and Soy – should never be fed raw. However, thoroughly cooked are safe and healthy. Beargrass *Begonia Bird of Paradise Bitter Almonds* Bittersweet *Bleeding Heart Bluebonnet Caffeine *Caladium Canada Yew *Castor Beans: Common Name: Castor Bean, Castor, Castor Oil Plant, palma Christi, Wonder Tree, Higuerilla, Steadfast Toxic Principle: Leaves, Seeds, Ricin, Ricinin Clinical Signs: Decrease blood pressure, Hypothermia, Decrease in blood glucose, Increase in serum hepatic enzymes: AST, ALT, LDH, Increase in BUN, calcium, phosphorous, Upset Stomach, Vomitting, Abdominal Pain, Nausea, Diarrhea, Anorexia, Trembling, Weakness, Sudden Collapse, Seizures, Exercise intolerance, Ataxia, Slight Depression, Copious thick, ropy salivation, Thirsty Catnip Common Name: Catmint, Catnip Toxic Principle: Volatile oil Clinical Signs: Odd behavior, Drowsiness, Disorientation Cedar Ceriman *Chinese Sacred or Heavenly Bamboo Chocolate *Choke Cherry (unripe berries) Christmas Rose Chrysanthemum: Results in vomiting, diarrhea, depression, drooling and appetite loss. Causes allergies in humans as it is a ragweed relative. Clematis Crown of Thorns aka Christ Plant, Christ Thorn, Crown of Thorns Toxic Principle: Miliamines, Terpenes, Diterpenes, Alkaloidal esters of diterpenoid ingenol, Stems: the juice, leaves, and thorns Clinical Signs: Eye irritation, Vomiting, Skin irritation, Diarrhea, Irritation to gastrointestinal tract Curry Powder Daffodil / Bulbs: Clinical Signs: Can cause severe gastrointestinal illness, convulsions, seizures, low blood pressure and tremors. Daphne *Delphinium, larkspur, monkshood Dicentrea Dumb Cane aka Dumb Plant, Dumb Cane, Mother-in-law’s Tongue Plant Toxic Principle: Histamine poisoning, All parts: leaves, stems, sap, Proteolytic enzymes, Calcium oxalate crystals, Other toxins Clinical Signs: Swelling of throat, Impairment of speech, Excessive salivation, Pain and swelling of mouth, Skin rashes Easter Lily Eggplant: The leaves of the plant on which the eggplant fruit grows are poisonous, but the fruit itself is said to be safe. Some sources caution of overly ripe or under-ripe eggplant fruit. Elderberry (unripe berries) Fava Beans Fiddle-leaf Philodendron aka Tree Philodendron, Cut-leaf Philodenron Toxic Principle: Nephrotoxic, Entire Plant, Leaves, Oxalates, Calcium oxalate Clinical Signs: Dermatitis, Excessive salivation, Red and swollen oral cavity, Pain, swelling, irritation to throat, Irritation and burning of mouth, lips, and tongue Holly: Commonly found during the Christmas season, can cause intense vomiting, diarrhea and depression. Flax ?? (Controversial – This may be the case in large quantities – consult with your vet) |
Hellebore *Hydrangea Iris corms *Jack-in-the-pulpit Japanese Yew *Jimson weed Jonquil Kalanchoe aka Florist’s Kalanchoe, Kalanchoe, Palm Beach Belle Toxic Principle: Isoprene alkaloids, Cardiac glycosides, Cardiac bufadienolides, Bryotoxins, Non-toxic maybe – Clinical Signs: Labored respiration, Cardio-toxic effects, Excessive salivation, Digestive disturbance, Loss of interest in food and water *Lantana Larkspur *Milkweed *Mistletoe Berries: A Christmas plant, ingestion can cause significant vomiting and diarrhea, difficulty breathing, collapse, erratic behavior, hallucinations and death. Mock Orange *Morning Glory Mountain Laurel *Oak Oleander aka Rosa Laurel Toxic Principle: Seeds, Vase water, Whole plant, Smoke from burning, Cardioactive glycosides Clinical Signs: may cause diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, slowing of heart-rate, abdormal heart beat patterns, heart failure and possible death. *Onions (toxic to birds, small amount ok) *Peach (seeds, wood) Peony Philodendron aka Sweetheart Plant, Heart-leaf Philodendron, Parlor Ivy Toxic Principle: Nephrotoxic, Entire Plant, Leaves, Oxalates, Calcium oxalate Clinical Signs: Dermatitis, Excessive salivation, Red and swollen oral cavity, Pain, swelling, irritation to throat, Irritation and burning of mouth, lips, and tongue Pimpernel Poinsettia: Clinical Signs: Can cause irritation to the mouth and stomach and sometimes vomiting Poison Ivy *Rhubarb: Rhubarb leaves are poisonous but the edible rhubarb stalks are safe. *Rosary Pea Schefflera aka Umbrella Tree, Starleaf, Australian Umbrella Tree Toxic Principle: Entire Plant, Saponins, Falcarinol, Calcium oxalate, Oxalic acid Clinical Signs: Dermatitis, Vomiting, Leukopenia, Loss of coordination, Irritation of mouth, lips, and tongue Scotch Broom *Shamrock (Oxalis sp.) Skunk Cabbage Sweet Pea – Lathyrus latifolius – L.: Although no records of toxicity have been found for this plant, the seed of some species in this genus contain a toxic amino acid that can cause a severe disease of the nervous system known as ‘lathyrism’ if they are eaten in large amounts (although small quantities are said to be nutritious). Great caution is advised. Ref. www.pfaf.org Tansy Mustard Tulip: Clinical Symptoms: Can cause intense vomiting, depression, diarrhea, drooling and appetite loss. Virginia Creeper Wild Call Wisteria *Yew Yucca aka Spineless Yucca, Soapweed, Spanish Bayonet Toxic Principle: Spines, Furostanols, Leaves, Saponins [steroidal], Spirostanols – sarsasapogenin Clinical Signs: Vomiting, Bloat, Diarrhea, Nausea, Mechanical damage Zamioculcas – an indoor plant. All parts of the plant are poisonous if ingested. |
Related Resources: Indiana Toxic Plants … Veterinary Medicine Library
Unsafe Plants / Fruits and Trees
Below is a list of indoor and outdoor plants and trees which are hazardous to birds. It has been gathered from various sources and is not complete.
Below is a listing of unsafe plants, fruits and trees.
| Agave, Maguey, Bayonet, Agavaceae Toxic Principle: Sap from the leaves, Seeds, Calcium oxalate raphides, Acrid volatile oils, Mechanically injurious Clinical Signs: Oral mucosa irritation, Contact urticaria, Skin: Immediate burning, erythema, urticaria, and edema, Granuloma reaction from punctures by leaves
Alacia Amaryllis: Clinical Signs: Can cause vomiting, diarrhea, depression, appetite loss, tremors, drooling and abdominal pain American Yew Asparagus Fern – Sprengeri Fern, Lace Fern – Toxic Principle: Non-toxic, Berries, Sapogenins, Foliage Clinical Signs: Dermatitis, Irritant, Cardiac, sedative, and diuretic effects Autumn Crocus/Meadow – Saffron Azaleas: Can cause weakness, upset stomach, drooling, heart failure, depression and possible coma Balsam Pear – seeds, outer rind of fruit *Castor Beans: Common Name: Castor Bean, Castor, Castor Oil Plant, palma Christi, Wonder Tree, Higuerilla, Steadfast Toxic Principle: Leaves, Seeds, Ricin, Ricinin Clinical Signs: Decrease blood pressure, Hypothermia, Decrease in blood glucose, Increase in serum hepatic enzymes: AST, ALT, LDH, Increase in BUN, calcium, phosphorous, Upset Stomach, Vomitting, Abdominal Pain, Nausea, Diarrhea, Anorexia, Trembling, Weakness, Sudden Collapse, Seizures, Exercise intolerance, Ataxia, Slight Depression, Copious thick, ropy salivation, Thirsty Catnip Common Name: Catmint, Catnip Toxic Principle: Volatile oil Clinical Signs: Odd behavior, Drowsiness, Disorientation Cedar Chalice Vine/Trumpet vine Crown of Thorns aka Christ Plant, Christ Thorn, Crown of Thorns Toxic Principle: Miliamines, Terpenes, Diterpenes, Alkaloidal esters of diterpenoid ingenol, Stems: the juice, leaves, and thorns Clinical Signs: Eye irritation, Vomiting, Skin irritation, Diarrhea, Irritation to gastrointestinal tract Croton Daffodil / Bulbs: Clinical Signs: Can cause severe gastrointestinal illness, convulsions, seizures, low blood pressure and tremors. Daphne – berries Dumb Cane aka Dumb Plant, Dumb Cane, Mother-in-law’s Tongue PlantToxic Principle: Histamine poisoning, All parts: leaves, stems, sap, Proteolytic enzymes, Calcium oxalate crystals, Other toxins Clinical Signs: Swelling of throat, Impairment of speech, Excessive salivation, Pain and swelling of mouth, Skin rashes Eggplant – fruit okay / leaves toxic Elderberry Fiddle-leaf Philodendron aka Tree Philodendron, Cut-leaf Philodenron Toxic Principle: Nephrotoxic, Entire Plant, Leaves, Oxalates, Calcium oxalate Clinical Signs: Dermatitis, Excessive salivation, Red and swollen oral cavity, Pain, swelling, irritation to throat, Irritation and burning of mouth, lips, and tongue Firethorn/Pyracantha Holly: Commonly found during the Christmas season, can cause intense vomiting, diarrhea and depression. Honey Locust Jade Plant, Jade Tree, Dollar Plant, leaves are toxic. Clinical Signs: Digestive upset, Nausea Four-o’clocks (Mirabilis) *Garlic (safe for birds in SMALL amounts) Golden Glow |
Japanese Yew – needles, seeds Jasmine Java Bean – lima bean – uncooked Jimsonweed/Thornapple Jerusalem Cherry – berries Johnson Grass Juniper – needles, stems, berries Kalanchoe aka Florist’s Kalanchoe, Kalanchoe, Palm Beach Belle Toxic Principle: Isoprene alkaloids, Cardiac glycosides, Cardiac bufadienolides, Bryotoxins, Non-toxic maybe Clinical Signs: Labored respiration, Cardio-toxic effects, Excessive salivation, Digestive disturbance, Loss of interest in food and water Kentucky Coffee Tree mahogany – varying degrees of toxicity between the different varieties. Splinters easily. Not suitable for perches. *Mistletoe Berries: A Christmas plant, ingestion can cause significant vomiting and diarrhea, difficulty breathing, collapse, erratic behavior, hallucinations and death. Mock Orange – fruit Oleander aka Rosa Laurel Toxic Principle: Seeds, Vase water, Whole plant, Smoke from burning, Cardioactive glycosides Clinical Signs: may cause diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, slowing of heart-rate, abdormal heart beat patterns, heart failure and possible death. Parsnip root contains three photoactive, mutagenic, and photocarcinogenic psoralens in a total concentration of about 40 parts per million. These chemicals are not destroyed by normal cooking procedures. Data about the toxicologic consequences of such exposure are not available. Peach Peanuts – raw: (Peanuts are often contaminated with aflatoxin, a fungal toxin. Aflatoxin is carcinogenic and causes liver damage in birds, other animals, and even humans. Roasting reduces aflatoxin but does not eliminate it entirely. North American peanut producers are currently working on eliminating contaminated peanuts from their products. Especially peanuts with dark spots on them should be considered suspect, but even those that look clean and perfect could possibly be contaminated.) Pencil Tree Persimmon: Has high levels of tannins and should best be avoided. Even though birds regularly feed on vegetation high in tannins, it is unclear how safe it is for them. Also: unripe persimmons can cause digestive issues. Philodendron aka Sweetheart Plant, Heart-leaf Philodendron, Parlor Ivy Toxic Principle: Nephrotoxic, Entire Plant, Leaves, Oxalates, Calcium oxalate Clinical Signs: Dermatitis, Excessive salivation, Red and swollen oral cavity, Pain, swelling, irritation to throat, Irritation and burning of mouth, lips, and tongue Pigweed Pothos (Golden Ivy) Privet Schefflera aka Umbrella Tree, Starleaf, Australian Umbrella Tree Toxic Principle: Entire Plant, Saponins, Falcarinol, Calcium oxalate, Oxalic acid Clinical Signs: Dermatitis, Vomiting, Leukopenia, Loss of coordination, Irritation of mouth, lips, and tongue Skunk Cabbage Yucca aka Spineless Yucca, Soapweed, Spanish Bayonet; Toxic Principle: Spines, Furostanols, Leaves, Saponins [steroidal], Spirostanols – sarsasapogenin; Clinical Signs: Vomiting, Bloat, Diarrhea, Nausea, Mechanical damage Zamioculcas – an indoor plant. All parts of the plant are poisonous if ingested. |
Related Resources: Indiana Plants: Veterinary Medicine Library
Unsafe Wood / Not Recommended for Perches
Below is a list of indoor and outdoor plants and trees which are considered hazardous to birds. It has been gathered from various sources and is not complete. Opinions differ, which made research rather confusing. If in doubt, discuss with your vet.
| Apple (controversial – some say it’s safe. Refer to above. Discuss with your vet)
Apricot Arbutus Ash (Mountain Ash is listed as safe on many lists) Cherry (controversial – some say it’s safe. Refer to above. Discuss with your vet) |
Nectarine
Peach Plum Prune (Controversial again – sometimes listed as toxic, other times as safe – discuss with vet) Red Cedar |
Research by Sibylle Johnson
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