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Bird Safety: Poisonous and Safe Plants for Birds

Toxic and Safe Plants for Birds

Updated On December 31st, 2000

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Reviewed By Petco’s Animal Care, Education and Compliance (ACE) Team

There are a variety of plants which are poisonous to birds, but there are many safe plants, too. So if you are a dedicated house plant enthusiast, you can have your plants and birds, too. 

How toxic a plant is for birds depends upon: 

  1. The specific plant in question 

  1. The amount ingested relative to the size of the bird 

  1. The species of the bird 

For example, a cockatoo that nibbles a few bites of philodendron may experience a mild degree of toxicity, whereas, the same amount or less may be lethal for a canary. 

Although there are significant differences among species of birds as to their reaction and sensitivity to various plants, most sources agree that those plants listed in Table 1 are toxic to any bird. This list may appear long, but is by no means all-inclusive. There are many more toxic plants than safe plants, so stick to the "safe" list in Table 2 for plants you will keep in the bird's environment. 

The most commonly observed sign of poisonous plant ingestion in birds is some form of gastric or intestinal upset, e.g., vomiting and/or diarrhea. The treatment for plant poisonings is generally symptomatic. 

If you suspect that your bird has ingested a toxic plant, call your veterinarian or the poison control center immediately. It may be a good idea to print this article and keep it in a convenient place so you do not have to go searching and waste time in a stressful situation. 

Although we are talking about plants here, it is worth mentioning that birds are acutely sensitive to fumes from solvents and Teflon. Do not use any Teflon coated cooking utensils, ironing board covers, or other items anywhere near a bird. 

Plants That Are Toxic to Birds 

 

 

Toxic Plant 

 

 

 

 

Toxic part(s) 

 

 

 

 

Specific Toxin(s) 

 

 

 

 

Symptoms 

 

 

 

 

Avocado (Persea americana) 

 

 

 

 

Pit, leaves, unripe fruit, stems 

 

 

 

 

Persin related to cardiac toxicity 

 

 

 

 

Weakness/, inability to perch, labored breathing, feather fluffing, collapse or sudden death 

 

 

 

 

Black locust (Robina pseudoacacia) 

 

 

 

 

Bark, leaves, seeds 

 

 

 

 

Robitin, robin 

 

 

 

 

Vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, depression, collapse 

 

 

 

 

Calla lily (Zantedeschia aethiopiea) 

 

 

 

 

All parts 

 

 

 

 

Needle shaped crystals known as Raphides which are made of calcium oxalates 

 

 

 

 

Oral irritation, difficulty swallowing, vomiting 

 

 

 

 

Castor bean (Ricinus communis) 

 

 

 

 

All parts 

 

 

 

 

Ricin I & II, glycosidase 

 

 

 

 

Vomiting, diarrhea (may be bloody) muscle tremors, ataxia etc Note: similar symptoms may be seen with ingested prayer beans, rosary peas or Seminole beads used in beadwork and rattles) 

 

 

 

 

Christmas cherry (Solanum pseudocapsicum) 

 

 

 

 

All parts including tubers and unripened fruit 

 

 

 

 

Solanine, atropine-like alkaloids, saponins 

 

 

 

 

Vomiting, diarrhea, irregular or rapid heart rate, difficulty swallowing, labored breathing, dilated pupils, no urine production, paralysis, seizures 

 

 

 

 

Coffee beans, (Sesbania drumundii), Tea, Chocolate Beans (coffee) 

 

 

 

 

Leaves (tea), all chocolates especially dark 

 

 

 

 

Caffeine, theobromine, theophylline 

 

 

 

 

Nervous system stimulation, increased rate of breathing and heart rate, seizures, diarrhea 

 

 

 

 

Diffenbachia (Diffenbachia spp.) 

 

 

 

 

All parts 

 

 

 

 

Oxalates 

 

 

 

 

Oral irritation, difficulty swallowing, vomiting 

 

 

 

 

Eggplant (Solanum melongena) 

 

 

 

 

Stem, leaves, sprouts (ripe fruits are OK) 

 

 

 

 

Solanine, atropine-like alkaloids 

 

 

 

 

Vomiting, diarrhea, irregular or rapid heart rate, difficulty swallowing, labored breathing, dilated pupils, no urine production, paralysis, seizures 

 

 

 

 

Elephant's ear (Colocasia or Alocasia spp.) 

 

 

 

 

All parts 

 

 

 

 

Oxalates 

 

 

 

 

Oral irritation, difficulty swallowing, vomiting 

 

 

 

 

Ergot (Claviceps purpurea) 

 

 

 

 

All parts 

 

 

 

 

Ergopeptide alkaloids 

 

 

 

 

Poor blood supply to extremities, hyperexcitability, seizures 

 

 

 

 

Foxglove (Digitalis pupurea) 

 

 

 

 

Entire plant, including water from pot or vase 

 

 

 

 

Glycosides, digitalis 

 

 

 

 

Vomiting, diarrhea, oral irritation, incoordination, irregular heart rate, collapse 

 

 

 

 

Jerusalem cherry (Solanum pseudocapsicum) 

 

 

 

 

All parts, including tubers, sprouts, and unripe berries 

 

 

 

 

Solanine, atropine 

 

 

 

 

Vomiting, diarrhea, irregular or rapid heart rate, difficulty swallowing, labored breathing, no urine production, paralysis, seizures 

 

 

 

 

Jimsonweed (Datura spp.) 

 

 

 

 

All parts, especially seeds and leaves 

 

 

 

 

Atropine, scopolamine, hyoscyamine 

 

 

 

 

Irregular or rapid heart rate, difficulty swallowing, labored breathing, dilated pupils, no urine production, paralysis, seizures 

 

 

 

 

Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) 

 

 

 

 

All parts 

 

 

 

 

Cardiac glycosides: convallatoxin 

 

 

 

 

Vomiting, diarrhea, oral irritation, incoordination, irregular heart rate, collapse 

 

 

 

 

Locoweed (Astragalus emoryanus) 

 

 

 

 

Leaves 

 

 

 

 

Swainsonine, alkaloids 

 

 

 

 

Hyperexcitability, incoordination, vomiting, drowsiness 

 

 

 

 

Milkweed (Asclepias spp.) 

 

 

 

 

All parts and latex (milky juice) 

 

 

 

 

Cardenoloids (cardiac glycosides) 

 

 

 

 

Oral and/or facial blisters, irregular heart rate, incoordination, collapse 

 

 

 

 

Mistletoe (Phoradendron villosum) 

 

 

 

 

All parts, especially holly berries 

 

 

 

 

Viscumin, viscotoxin 

 

 

 

 

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, labored breathing, irregular heart rate, collapse 

 

 

 

 

Nightshade (Solanum spp.) 

 

 

 

 

All parts 

 

 

 

 

Belladonna, atropine-like alkaloids 

 

 

 

 

Vomiting, diarrhea, irregular or rapid heart rate, difficulty swallowing, labored breathing, dilated pupils, no urine production, paralysis, seizures 

 

 

 

 

Oak (Quercus spp.) 

 

 

 

 

All parts 

 

 

 

 

Tannins 

 

 

 

 

Loss of appetite, diarrhea, increased thirst 

 

 

 

 

Oleander (Nerium oleander) 

 

 

 

 

All parts 

 

 

 

 

Glycosides: oleadrum, neroside 

 

 

 

 

Vomiting, diarrhea, oral irritation, incoordination, irregular heart rate, collapse 

 

 

 

 

Philodendron (Philodendron scandens) 

 

 

 

 

All parts, including roots 

 

 

 

 

Oxalates 

 

 

 

 

Oral irritation, difficulty swallowing, vomiting 

 

 

 

 

Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcheriama) 

 

 

 

 

Leaves, stem, white sap 

 

 

 

 

Phorbol esters 

 

 

 

 

Vomiting, diarrhea, facial or eye irritation 

 

 

 

 

Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana) 

 

 

 

 

Roots, leaves, berries 

 

 

 

 

Saponin 

 

 

 

 

Vomiting, tremors, collapse 

 

 

 

 

Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) 

 

 

 

 

Stem, leaves, sprouts, green skins 

 

 

 

 

Solanine, atropine-like alkaloids 

 

 

 

 

Vomiting, diarrhea, irregular or rapid heart rate, difficulty swallowing, labored breathing, dilated pupils, no urine production, paralysis, seizures 

 

 

 

 

Rhododendron (Rhodedendron simsii), Rhododendron species (Azalea) 

 

 

 

 

All parts 

 

 

 

 

Andromedotoxin, grayanotoxin 

 

 

 

 

Vomiting, weakness, collapse, seizure, stupor, coma 

 

 

 

 

Tobacco (Nicotiana spp.) 

 

 

 

 

All parts 

 

 

 

 

Nicotine 

 

 

 

 

Vomiting, diarrhea, hyperexcitability, seizures, muscle twitching, coughing, eye irritation 

 

 

 

 

Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) 

 

 

 

 

Stem, leaves, sprouts (ripe fruits are OK) 

 

 

 

 

Solanine, atropine-like alkaloids 

 

 

 

 

Vomiting, diarrhea, irregular or rapid heart rate, difficulty swallowing, labored breathing, dilated pupils, no urine production, paralysis, seizures 

 

 

 

 

Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolio) 

 

 

 

 

Berries, leaves 

 

 

 

 

Oxalic acid 

 

 

 

 

Vomiting, diarrhea (possibly bloody), drowsiness, stupor, renal failure 

 

 

 

 

Yew (Taxus media) 

 

 

 

 

Wood, bark, seeds, leaves 

 

 

 

 

Alkaloids (taxines) 

 

 

 

 

Muscle tremors, difficulty breathing, collapse, sudden death 

 

 

 

 

Blue-green algae (Microcystis aeruginosa) 

 

 

 

 

All parts 

 

 

 

 

Anatoxin A, mycrocystin 

 

 

 

 

Inability to fly, abnormal posture, frequent defecation, respiratory arrest 

 

 

 

Plants That Are Safe for Birds 

 

 

Indoor/House Plants 

 

 

 

 

Outdoor Plants 

 

 

 

 

African violet 

 

 

 

 

American bittersweet 

 

 

 

 

Aloe 

 

 

 

 

Autumn olive 

 

 

 

 

Areca palm 

 

 

 

 

Bamboo 

 

 

 

 

Australian laurel 

 

 

 

 

Barberry 

 

 

 

 

Bamboo palm 

 

 

 

 

Bayberry 

 

 

 

 

Begonias 

 

 

 

 

American or European Beech 

 

 

 

 

Bird's nest fern 

 

 

 

 

Bladdernut 

 

 

 

 

Boston fern 

 

 

 

 

Blueberry 

 

 

 

 

Bottle brush fern 

 

 

 

 

Comfrey 

 

 

 

 

Canary Island palm 

 

 

 

 

Coralberry 

 

 

 

 

Coffee tree 

 

 

 

 

Crabapple 

 

 

 

 

Corn plant 

 

 

 

 

Dogwood 

 

 

 

 

Creeping fig 

 

 

 

 

Common, European or Red Elderberry 

 

 

 

 

Danish ivy 

 

 

 

 

Balsam, Douglas, Subalpine or White Fir 

 

 

 

 

Devil's ivy 

 

 

 

 

Grape vine 

 

 

 

 

Dragon tree 

 

 

 

 

Huckleberry 

 

 

 

 

European fan palm 

 

 

 

 

Marigold 

 

 

 

 

Fiddle leaf fig 

 

 

 

 

Nasturtium 

 

 

 

 

Fig tree 

 

 

 

 

Ponderosa, Spruce, Virginia, or White Pine 

 

 

 

 

Flame nettle 

 

 

 

 

Pyracantha 

 

 

 

 

Hawaiian scheffler 

 

 

 

 

Raspberry 

 

 

 

 

Indian laurel 

 

 

 

 

Rose 

 

 

 

 

Jade plant 

 

 

 

 

Snowberry 

 

 

 

 

Kangaroo vine 

 

 

 

 

Black, Norway, Red, or White Spruce 

 

 

 

 

Lace fern 

 

 

 

 

Viburnum 

 

 

 

 

Lady palm 

 

 

 

 

Wax plant 

 

 

 

 

Maidenhair fern 

 

 

 

 

White poplar 

 

 

 

 

Ming fern 

 

 

 

 

Willow 

 

 

 

 

Mother fern 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mother-in-law's tongue 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Norfolk pine 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paradise palm 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parlor palm 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pepperomia 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prayer plant 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purple passion 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rubber tree 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spider plant 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Umbrella tree 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wandering Jew 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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