Avian Toxins

Avian Toxins

This list is by no means complete, and has been compiled to give some examples of what dangers your bird could be exposed to. Please call us immediately if you have any concerns.

Potential Dangers

Frayed electrical wiring
Glass beads (necklaces, etc.)
Hot pot, pan, utensils
Plastic chains
Hot water from tap
Rope perches with frayed or loose ends
Hot liquids on stove
Lit electric stoves
Lit wood stove
Cage covers with frayed or loose ends
Rotating window or ceiling fans
Costume jewelry
Bells with lead clappers
Hardware cloth

Walnut shell or corn cob
Uncurtained windows
Kitty-litter when used with baby birds
Open doors/screens/windows
Contaminated feed/bone meal
Space heaters
Foil from some champagne/wine bottles
Batteries
Curtain/Fishing weights
Backs of mirrors
Stained glass seams
U.S. pennies since 1982
Bird toys with lead weights

Plants

Should I be worried?

Many birds naturally eat plants as part of their diet. Some birds will chew on and possibly consume plants in the course of playing. Birds left unsupervised out of their cage may easily encounter plants kept around the house and in the garden. It is important for owners to be aware of which plants are toxic to birds. Few actual studies are available in regard to plant toxicity and birds. Extrapolations from information pertaining to other species including humans concerning harmful effects must be made.

Which Plants?

The list of indoor and outdoor plants below has attempted to catalogue the plants considered to be potentially toxic. If there is concern regarding specific plants not listed here then consult your local Poison Control Center or reputable nursery for more information. Some plants have been included on this list even if there is a remote possibility of concern.

Harmful Plants

Amaryllis – bulbs
American Yew
Autumn Crocus (Meadow Saffron)
Avocado
Azalea – leaves
Apple Balsam pear – seeds, rind
Baneberry – berries, roots
Bean Plants
Bird of Paradise – seeds
Black Elderberry – not berry
Black Locust – bark, sprouts, foliage
Bleeding Heart
Bloodroot
Blue-green algae – some forms are toxic
Boxwood – leaves, stems
Bracken Fern
Buckthorn – fruit, bark
Bulb Flowers
Burdock
Buttercup – sap, bulbs
Caladium – leaves
Calla Lily – leaves
Castor bean
Castor oil – beans, leaves
Chalice vine – all parts
Cherry Tree – bark, twigs, leaves, pits
Christmas Candle
Christmas Cherry – berries
Clematis
Coffee Plants
Coral Plant
Cowslip
Crown Vetch
Daffodil
Daphne
Datura – berries
Death Amanita
Dieffenbachia
Egg Plant
Elderberry Elephant’s ear – taro
English Holly
English Yew
Eucalyptus
Euonymus
Evergreen (most)
False Hellebore
Felt Plant
Firethorn
Flame Tree
Fly Agaric Mushrooms
Foxglove
Golden Chain
Hemlock
Holly
Honey Locust
Honeysuckle
Horse Beans
Horse – chestnut
Hyacinth
Hydrangea
Indian TurnipJava Bean (Glorybean)
Jasmine
Iris (Blue Flag) – bulb
Ivy

Japanese Yew
Jack-in-the-pulpit
Jerusalem cherry – berries
Jimsonweed – leaves, seeds
J. Virginia – needles, stems, berries
Lantana
Larkspur – all parts
Laurel – all parts
Lily-of-the-valley – all parts including the water they’re in
Lima Beans - uncooked
Lobelia
Locoweed
Locusts
Lords and Ladies
Lupine
Marijuana
May Apple
Mescal Bean
Milkweed
Mistletoe
Mock Orange
Monkshood
Moonseed
Morning Glory
Mountain Laurel
Narcissus
Nettles
Nightshade
Nutmeg
Oak Tree – leaves
Parsley
Periwinkle
Philodendron
Pigweed
Poinsettia
Poison Hemlock
Poison Ivy/Oak
Pokeweed
Potato (new shoots)
Privet
Purple Sesbane
Raintree
Rhododendron
Rhubarb (leaves)
Rosary Pea
Sandbox Tree
Skunk Cabbage
Snow Drop
Snow Flake
Snow-on-the-mountain
Sorrel Spurges
Spindle Tree (berries)
Sweet Pea (plant)
Tobacco
Vetch
Virginia Creeper
Water Hemlock
Wattle
Western Yew
White Cedar
Wisteria
Yam Bean
Yew

If in doubt, remove the plant!!!