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Below is an excerpt from the above mentioned website listing toxic foods, plants and woods for our birds.
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.
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Acorns Agave, Maguey, Bayonet, AgavaceaeToxic Principle: Sap from the leaves, Seeds, Calcium oxalate raphides, Acrid volatile oils, Mechanically injuriousClinical 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 Catnip Common Name: Catmint, Catnip Toxic Principle: Volatile oilClinical Signs: Odd behavior, Drowsiness, Disorientation 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 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 Easter Lily Elderberry (unripe berries) Fava Beans Fiddle-leaf Philodendron aka Tree Philodendron, Cut-leaf PhilodenronToxic 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) *Garlic (safe for birds in SMALL amounts) Golden Glow *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 *Marijuana or hemp (Cannibus) *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. 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 (Alphabetic with Photos)
Unsafe Plants / Fruits & 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.
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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, RicininClinical 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, CatnipToxic Principle: Volatile oil Clinical Signs:Odd behavior, Drowsiness, Disorientation 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 toxinsClinical Signs: Swelling of throat, Impairment of speech, Excessive salivation, Pain and swelling of mouth, Skin rashes Eggplant - fruit okay / leaves toxic 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 Japanese Yew - needles, seeds Kalanchoe aka Florist’s Kalanchoe, Kalanchoe, Palm Beach Belle |
