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Safe and Toxic List for Parrots and Birds

This list is a composite of a very common one found on many sites and has been amended with new and emerging information. It will be constantly updated based on posts by vet clinics and experienced aviculturists, and independant research.

Non-Toxic Wood for Parrot and Birds.

The following materials are not safe if toxic chemicals or insecticides have been sprayed on them. If visually dirty, branches can be scrubbed with a non-toxic disinfectant, rinsed and dried well (preferably in the sun.) Cleaning foliage is not required if it is free from insects, visible mould etc as low level exposure to environmental 'dirt' is beneficial for a parrot's immune system.

The basis of the Non-Toxic and Toxic wood list is thanks to Mario D. Vaden: M. D. Vaden - Trees & Landcapes. His main site address for his landscape company is www.mdvaden.com   

Tree Limbs non-toxic for birds:

APPLE -(Pesticide residue likely reason for periodic issues)

AILANTHUS - Tree of Heaven

ALDER - white alder -(See Dr. Vaden's site)

Alder / Buckthorn)

ALMOND

ARALIA - Fatsia japonica

ASH - Fraxinus

ASPEN - Populus

BAMBOO

BANKSIA - all varieties

BARBERRY- Berberis

BIRCH - see paragraph

BEECH - Fagus

BOIS D'ARC - horse apple tree

BUTTERFLY BUSH

CALLISTEMON - bottlebrush varieties etc

CAMELLIA

CAMPHOR LAUREL

CITRUS -(lime, kumquat, grapefruit, orange, lemon)

CORK - (not wood from cork oak, but cork)

CORN PLANTS

COTTONWOOD - Populus

CRABAPPLE - Malus

CRAPE MYRTLE - (not the same as myrtle)

DATE

DOGWOOD - Cornus

DOUGLAS FIR - Pseudotsuga

DRACAENA

ELM - Ulmus

ESCALLONIA

EUCALYPTUS

FIG

FIR - genus Abies

GINKGO

GRAPE VINES

GRAPE PALM

GUAVA

HACKBERRY

HAWTHORN - Crataegus

HIBISCUS

HICKORY

IRONWOOD - apparently toxic leaves

JADE PLANT

KALANCHOE

KUMQUAT

LARCH - Larix

LILAC - Syringa

MADRONA / MADRONE - Arbutus

MAGNOLIA

MAPLE - Acer - see Dr. Vaden's site

MANZANITA - Arctostaphylos

MELALEUCA - paperbark etc

MESQUITE - remove sharp parts

MIMOSA

MOCK ORANGE - Phladelphus

MOUNTAIN ASH - Sorbus

MULBERRY - Morus

NANDINA -common name is heavenly bamboo

NECTARINE

NORFOLK ISLAND PINE - Araucaria

NUT TREES - exclude chestnut and oak

ORANGE - several sources lean toward safe

OREGON GRAPE - Mahonia

PALM

PAPAYA

PEACH

PEAR

PECAN

PINE - Pinus: see Dr. Vaden's site

PHOTINIA

PLUM

POPLAR - Populus

PUSSY WILLOW - Salix

RAPHIOLEPSIS - Indian Hawthorn

RIBBONWOOD

ROSE - Rosa

RUBBER PLANT - - Ficus elastica - see Dr. Vaden's site

RUSSIAN OLIVE

SILK TREE

SPIRAEA

SPRUCE - Picea

STAGHORN SUMAC -(Rhus - not Toxicodendron - (see Dr. Vaden's site)

STRAWBERRY TREE -(Arbutus like Madrone)

SWEET GUM - Liquidambar

SYCAMORE

THURLOW

TREE FERN

VIBURNUM

VINE MAPLE - Acer

WEEPING WILLOW - Salix (GOAT, PUSSY & WEEPING)

WHITEBEAM

WIEGELA

YUCCA

 

Non-Toxic Foliage

Foliage non-toxic for birds:

ALOE

AFRICAN VIOLET

BABY'S TEARS

BAMBOO

BANKSIA

BEGONIA

BOSTON FERN

BOUGAINVILLEA

CALLISTEMON - bottlebrush varieties etc

CHICKWEED

CHRISTMAS CACTUS

CISSUS (KANGAROO VINE)

COLEUS

CORN PLANT

CRABAPPLE

DANDELION

DOGWOOD

DONKEY TAIL

DRACAENA VARIETIES

FERNS: (BIRD'S NEST, BOSTON, MAIDENHAIR)

FIGS: (CREEPING, RUBBER, FIDDLE LEAF, LAUREL LEAF)

GARDENIA

GRAPE IVY

GREVILLIA

HEN AND CHICKENS

IMPATIENS

JADE PLANT

KALANCHOE

MELALEUCA - paperbark etc

MAGNOLIA

MARIGOLDS

MONKEY PLANT

NASTURTIUM

NATAL PLUM

NORFOLK ISLAND PINE

ORCHIDS

PALMS: (ACAI, ARECA, DATE, FAN, LADY, PARLOUR, HOWEIA, KENTIA, PHOWNIX)

PEPPEROMIA

PETUNIA

PITTOSPORUM

PRAYER PLANT

PURPLE PASSION

ROSE

RUBBER PLANT

SCHEFFLERA

SENSITIVE PLANT

SNAKE PLANT

SPIDER PLANT

SWEDISH IVY

THISTLE

VELVET NETTLE

WANDERING JEW

WATTLE ***NOTE: some varieties not safe due to containing high levels of tannins and cyanogens - see TOXIC list

WAX PLANT

WHITE CLOVER

WHITEBEAM

YUCCA

ZEBRA PLANT

ZINNIA

 

Safe (and tasty) flowers

ACACIA

BANKSIA

BOUGAINVILLEA

CALLISTEMON - bottlebrush varieties etc

CRAPE MYRTLE BLOSSOMS

DANDELION

GARDENIA

GREVILLIA

GUM (EUCALYPTUS - ANY VARIETY - FLOWER BUDS CAN ALSO BE FED)

HIBISCUS

JONNY JUMP UPS

LILAC (Syringa vulgaris)LILLY PILLY

MELALEUCA - paperbark etc

MARIGOLD (petals only)

NASTURTIUMPASSIONFRUIT BLOOMS

PANSIES

PETUNIAS

RASPBERRY

ROCKET FLOWERS

ROSE

SOW THISTLE FLOWERSTEATREE FLOWERS

VIOLETS

WATTLE FLOWERS

 

Safe Fruits, Vegetables and Spices for Birds  

(these lists are not exhaustive, but as a general rule of thumb, if you are not sure if a fruit, vegetable or spice is safe, do not feed)

Make sure that all apple, pear, and stone fruit seeds/pits are removed before letting your birds eat the fresh fruits. And make sure you wash all fruits and vegetable thoroughly. A good soak is 1 part of apple cider vinegar to 4 parts water - it will remove any surface pesticides, waxes or other residues if the fruit/vegetable is soaked, scrubbed and rinsed. It's always best to go organic for your parrots to stay away from pesticides. The chemicals they spray the plants with will harm you and your birds.

  

Safe Fruits:

Apple (limited due to high sugar content)

Asian Raisin (japanese raisin, hovenia)

Achacha  (seeds removed)

Bananas

Bellfruit (java apple, rose apple)

Berries - ie. Blueberry, Blackberry, Strawberry, Raspberry, Mulberry etc (any in season)

Brazillian Grape (jaboticaba)

Carambola (star fruit)

Cantaloupe (known as Rockmelon) melon

Citrus (including seeds) - limited amounts due to acid content

Coconut - fresh, dried or juice

Cottoneaster Berries

Crabapple Berries

Custard Apple (sugar apple) (seeds removed)

Cherry

Dragonfruit

Dua gan (Korean Melon) and seeds

Durian

Dates

Feijoa Fruit

Dried dates

Figs (fresh)

Finger Lime

Guava and Seed

Goji Berry

Gooseberries

Grapes (limited for most parrots due to high sugar content, can be feed in higher quantities to Lorries and Lorikeets)

Hawthorn Berries

Honeydew Melon

Hovenia (japanese raisin, asian raisin)

Jaboticaba (brazillian grape)

Japanese Raisin (asian raisin, hovenia)

Jackfruit

Java Apple (bellfruit, rose apple)

Kiwifruit

Kiwi Berry

Korean Melon (Dua Gan) and seeds

Kumquat

Lychee

Loquat

Mango (without skin)

Mangosteen

Melon - any variety (including seeds)

Momblin Fruit

Marrow

Mulberry

Nashi Pear and Seed

Nectarine (pit removed)

Nondu Plum

Passion Fruit

Paw Paw (Asimina)

Papaya and Seeds

Pears and Seeds  (all colours and varieties)

Persimmons

Piel De Sapo Melon

Pineapple

Pitaya (yellow dragon fruit)

Pomelo

Pineapple

Plum

Pomegranate

Quince

Rambuton

Raspberry

Red Currants

Rose Apple (java apple, bellfruit)

Salak (snake fruit)

Santol

Sapote Fruit

Soursop

Snake Fruit (salak)

Stone Fruit (peach, nectarine, plum, apricot etc) - remove the 'stone'

Star Fruit (carambola)

Sugar Apple (custard apple)

Tamarind

Tamarillo

Tangerine

Tomato (limited amounts due to acid content. Green leaves and stem are poisonous and MUST be removed)

Watermelon and Seeds

Youngberry

 

Healthy and Safe Vegetables for Birds  

Artichoke

Asian Greens - any variety (including stems and leaves)

Beans, rinsed and cooked only

Beetroot (including leaves)

Bell Peppers

Broccoli and Broccolini (especially stems and leaves)

Brussels sprouts

Capsicum and seeds (all varieties, but remove stems)

Carrot and tops (slightly steam carrots to unlock full nutrient potential)

Cauliflower (including stem and leaves)

Celery stalks and leaves (caution: do not feed too much due to sodium content)

Chard

Chinese Cabbage

Choko

Corn (milky & soft)

Cos and Romain lettuce (and any other dark green or red variety)

Cucumber (including seed and skin)

Endive

Fennel

Green Beans

Guava

Hot Peppers (chilli)

Horned Melon (also known as African cucumber or Kiwana)

Kale (all varieties)

Mustard Greens

Mizuna

Okra

Parsley (small/infrequent quantities only)

Parsnips

Peas (fresh/green)

Potato (cooked)

Pumpkin (and seeds)

Radish Red

Rocket

Beet (fresh), including tops

Radicchio

Romain Lettuce

Silverbeet

Spinach

Snow Peas and Sugar Snap Peas

Sprouts and micro-greens (grown fresh or bought fresh) i.e. alfalfa, snow pea, cress, radish, mung bean, lentils, chickpea.

Sweet Potato (cooked only)

Swede

Squash (all varieties)

Taro (cooked)

Turnips

Yams (cooked only)

Zucchini

 

Safe spices (use sparingly, as most contain no real nutritional value)

Basil (sweet)

Cilantro

Camomile

Chicory

Cinnamon

Dill

Fennel

Lemon Balm

Majoram

Oregano

Rosemary

Pepper (pepper corns and cayenne peppers) as well as fruit from the pepper tree (unrelated to true pepper)

Chilli (whole chilli or bell pepper is a great addition to chop)

Garlic and garlic powder (tiny and limited quantities only due to thiosulfinate content and its correlation with blood thinning)

Ginger

Thyme

Vanilla

Cloves

 Other safe and healthy food/treats:

Grains – whole, rolled or cooked. Healthy grains include: quinoa, buckwheat, pearled barley, brown/red/black/wild rices, rye, spelt - anything wholegrain and unprocessed is best

Dried Fruit/Berries/Vegetables (dehydrated only with no added oil, sugar, or sulphides, limit qty due to high natural sugars)

Nuts – (limited amounts only, raw/unsalted only, no peanuts) Nuts in shell are a great foraging treat. Popular nuts include almonds, pistachios, walnuts, pine nuts and cashews

Seeds ('oil' seeds such as black sunflower should be avoided or fed in very low quantities) - both dry or soaked - some great additions include chia, sesame and flax for omega 3 and 6.

 

Wild Foods:

Acerola Cherry (barbados cherry, wild crepemyrtle)

Acacia sophorae(Coast Wattle)seeds - must be dry roasted, and this variety ONLY.

Seeding wild grasses - crows foot, green panic, couche, paspalam, wild oats - pick from areas free of pollutants such as exhaust fumes and sprays.

Thistles - includes puha(sow thistle - yellow flower) and milk thistle (purple flower)

Lilly Pilly - all Syzygium varieties – fruit ranges in colour from white to purple and varies in shape are safe, including fruit and branches

Wattle nuts

Banksia pods

Gum nuts

Seeds and pods from bottlebrush/paperbark/eucalypts

Palm nuts (except for Areca - otherwise known as 'Betel Nut'), including Foxtail Palm (good for health and feathers) and Alexandra Palm

Quandong fruit

Rainforest Tamarind (flesh only, remove skin and seeds)

Wild Raspberry

Bunya Pine Nuts

Date Palm

Dwarf Date

Palm Hearts

Peach Palm fruit

Pandanus (screw pine)

Rose Hips

Lilly Pilly Fruit

McArthur Palm Seeds

 

Toxic Plants

Plants toxic for birds:

ACACIA (WATTLE) ***NOTE: wattle flowers and some varieties of seed (Acacia sophorae - Coast Wattle) are safe to consume, however, some varieties of wattle foliage and barked wood are not safe (wood contains tannins, foliage can contain cyanogens), and therefore, due to confusion in correctly identifying what is safe and what isn't, wattle wood and foliage should not be offered unless one is absolutely sure that one has correctly identified the variety and has harvested the SAFE variety of wood) Please see: http://www.herbiguide.com.au/Descriptions/hg_Wattle.htm also: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Acacia_species_known_to_contain_psychoactive_alkaloids

ARUM LILY

AMARYLLIS

ARALIA

ARROWHEAD VINE

AUTUMN CROCUS

AUSTRALIAN FLAMETREE

AUSTRALIAN UMBRELLA TREE

AVOCADO

AZALEA

BANEBERRY

BEANS: (CASTOR, HORSE, FAVA, BROAD, GLORY, SCARLET RUNNER, MESCAL, NAVY, PREGATORY

BABY'S BREATH

BIRD OF PARADISE

BISHOP'S WEED

BLACK LAUREL

BLACK LOCUST

BLEEDING HEART OR DUTCHMAN'S BREECHES

BLOODROOT

BLUEBONNET

BLUEGREEN ALGAE

BOXWOOD

BRACKEN FERN

BUCKTHORN

BULB FLOWERS:(AMARYLLIS, DAFFODIL, NARCISSUS, HYACINTH & IRIS)

BURDOCK

BUTTERCUP

CACAO

CAMEL BUSH

CASTOR BEAN

CALADIUM

CANA LILY

CARDINAL FLOWER

CHALICE (TRUMPET VINE)

CHERRY TREE

CHINA BERRY TREE

CHRISTMAS CANDLE

CLEMATIS (VIRGINIA BOWER)

CLIVIA

COCKLEBUR

COFFEE (SENNA)

COFFEE BEAN (RATTLEBUSH, RATTLE BOX & COFFEEWEED)

CORAL PLANT

CORIANDER

CORNCOCKLE

COYOTILLO

COWSLIP

CUTLEAF PHILODENDRON

DAFFODIL

DAPHNE

DATURA STRAMONIUM (ANGEL'S TRUMPET)

DEATH CAMUS

DELPHINIUM

DEVIL'S IVY

DIEFFENBACHIA (DUMB CANE)

EGGPLANT leaves

ELDERBERRY

ELEPHANT EAR (TARO)

ENGLISH IVY

ERGOT

EUCALYPTUS (DRIED, DYED OR TREATED IN FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS)

EUONYMUS (SPINDLE TREE)

EUPHORBIA CACTUS

FALSE HELLEBORE

FLAME TREE

FELT PLANT (MATERNITY, AIR & PANDA PLANTS)

FIG (WEEPING)

FIRE THORN

FLAMINGO FLOWER

FOUR O'CLOCK

FOXGLOVE

GYPSOPHILA PANICULATA - Sap of plant

GLOTTIDIUM

GOLDEN CHAIN

GRASS: (JOHNSON, SORGHUM, SUDAN & BROOM CORN)

GROUND CHERRY

HEATHS: (KALMIA, LEUCOTHO, PEIRES, RHODODENDRON, MTN. LAUREL, BLACK LAUREL, ANDROMEDA & AZALEA)

HELIOTROPE

HEMLOCK: (POISON & WATER)

HENBANE

HOLLY

HONEYSUCKLE

HORSE CHESTNUT

HORSE TAIL

HOYA

HYACINTH

HYDRANGEA

IRIS

IVY: (ENGLISH & OTHERS)

JACK-IN-THE-PULPIT

JASMINE (JESSAMINE)

JERUSALEM CHERRY

JIMSONWEED

JUNIPER

KY. COFFEE TREE

LANTANA (RED SAGE)

LARKSPUR

LILY OF THE VALLEY

LILY, ARUM

LOBELIA

LOCOWEED (MILK VETCH)

LOCUSTS, BLACK/HONEY

LORDS & LADIES (CUCKOOPINT)

LUPINE

MALANGA

MARIJUANA (HEMP)

MAYAPPLE(MANDRAKE)

MEXICAN BREADFRUIT

MEXICAN POPPY

MILKWEED, COTTON BUSH

MISTLETOE

MOCK ORANGE

MONKSHOOD

MOONSEED

MORNING GLORY

MTN. LAUREL

MUSHROOMS, AMANITA

MYRTLE

NARCISSUS

NETTLES

NIGHTSHADES: (DEADLY, BLACK, GARDEN, WOODY, BITTERSWEET, EGGPLANT leaves, TOMATO -stems, vines, and leaves,JERUSALEM CHERRY)

OAK

OLEANDER

OXALIS

PARSLEY (large quantities)

PEACE LILY

PERIWINKLE

PHILODENDRONS: (SPLIT LEAF, SWISS CHEESE, HEART-LEAF)

PIGWEED

POINCIANA

POINSETTIA (though not inherently poisonous as some sites may state, ingestion of parts of the plant can cause digestive upset, and the sap can cause mucous membrane irritation (eyes, nasal/mouth, gastrointestinal tract).

POISON IVY

POISON HEMLOCK

POISON OAK: (WESTERN & EASTERN)

POKEWEED

POTATO SHOOTS

POTHOS

PRIVET

PYRACANTHA

RAIN TREE

RANUNCULUS, BUTTERCUP

RAPE

RATTLEBOX, CROTALARIA

RED MAPLE

RED SAGE (LANTANA)

RHUBARB LEAVES

RHODODENDRONS

ROSARY PEA SEEDS

SAND BOX TREE

SASSAFRAS (removed from 'Safe' on 4/4/14 due to newer researching indicating that the bark contains a carcinogen - see http://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/all/sassafras-albidum/)

SKUNK CABBAGE

SORREL (DOCK)

SNOW DROP

SPURGES: (PENCIL TREE, SNOW-ON-MTN, CANDELABRA, CROWN OF THORNS)

SAGO ‘PALM’

STAR OF BETHLEHEM

SWEET PEA

SWISS CHEESE PLANT (MONSTERA)

TANSY RAGWORT

TOBACCO

TOMATO PLANT (fruit is safe - must remove any green stems or leaves)

UMBRELLA PLANT

VETCH: HAIRY/COMMON

VIRGINIA CREEPER

WATTLE

WEEPING FIG

WHITE CEDAR, CHINA BERRY

WISTERIA

YEWS

YELLOW JASMINE

 

Toxic Wood for Birds

ALDER - red alder -see Alder / Alder Buckthorn paragraph at Dr. Vaden's site

ANDROMEDA - (Pieris / Lily of the Valley shrub)

APRICOT

ARROWHEAD VINE

AUSTRALIAN FLAME TREE

AUSTRALIAN UMBRELLA TREE

AVACADO

AZALEA - Related to Rhododendron

BANEBERRY - Actaea

BEANS - (castor, horse, fava, broad, glory, scarlet runner)

BLACK LOCUST - Robinia

BOX ELDER

BOXWOOD - Buxus

BUCKTHORN - (Cascara / Alder Buckthorn - see chapter at Dr. Vaden's site)

BRACKEN FERN

BURDOCK

CACAO

CAMEL BUSH - Trichodesma

CANARY BIRD BUSH - Crotalaria

CANNABIS

CASTOR BEAN

CEDAR - Thuja, Chamaecyparis, Cupressus

CHALICE - trumpet vine

CHERRY (see Dr. Vaden's site)

CHINA BERRY TREE - Melia / Texas umbrella tree

CHINESE MAGNOLIA - uncertain for safety

CHINESE POPCORN (TALLOW)

CHINESE SNAKE TREE - Laquer plant: -- sap contact is bad too

COMMON SAGE

CORIANDER - Cilantro

DATURA

DAPHNE - it's the berries

DATURA STRAMONIUM - Brugmansia: - - angel's trumpet

DIEFFENBACHIA

ELDERBERRY

EUONYMUS - Includes burning bush and more

EUPHORBIA

FELT PLANT - Kalancho baharensis

FLAME TREE

FIRETHORN - Pyracantha (some aviculturists feed the berries, but too many can cause intoxication in parrots)

FLAME TREE - Brachychiton / Sterculia

FOXGLOVE

GOLDEN CHAIN TREE - Laburnum

GROUND CHERRY

CROWN OF THORNS

HEATHS

HEMLOCK - Tsuga

HOLLY - Ilex

HONEY LOCUST - Gleditsia

HORSE CHESTNUT - Aesculus

HUCKLEBERRY - leaves bad: - - both evergreen or deciduous

HYDRANGEA

JASMINE

JUNIPER - Juniperus

KALMIA: also called Mountain Laurel

KENTUCKY COFFEE TREE

LANTANA - red sage

LAUREL - Prunus

LEUCOTHOE

LUPINE

MANGO -(fruit okay: not wood or leaves)

MEXICAN BREADFRUIT

MOCK ORANGE -(fruit, see note in safe list)

MONSTERA

MOUNTAIN LAUREL

MYRTLE - is a broadleaf evergreen: Is not the same as crape myrtle

NUTMEG

OAK - Quercus - all parts / tannins

MISTLETOE

OLEANDER

ORANGE - several sources lean toward safe

PEAR - some sources lean toward safe

PENCILTREE

PITCH PINE

PRARIE OAK - safety uncertain

PRIVET

RAIN TREE

RED MAPLE - see Maple paragraph at Dr. Vaden's site

RED SAGE - Lantana

REDWOOD - - - Sequiadendron, Metasequoia, Sequoia

RHODODENDRON

RHUBARB

SAND BOX TREE - - - sap has been used to poison fish

SASSAFRAS (removed from 'Safe' on 4/4/14 due to newer researching indicating that the bark contains a toxic compound)

SOLANUM - Jerusalem cherry or pepino

SOPHORA - - - includes Japanese pagoda tree & Mescal

SUMAC - - - not all sumacs are toxic: (see Dr. Vaden's site)

TOBACCO

TANSY

TOMATO - stems, vines, and leaves

UMBRELLA TREE

WEEPING FIG -(Benjamin Fig or Ficus benjamina - see Dr. Vaden's site)

WHITE CEDAR - China

WITCH HAZEL - Hamamelis

WISTERIA

YEW - Taxus

 

TOXIC OR UNHEALTHY BIRD FOODS

Avoid anything high is salt, sugar, and fat content.

Alcohol

Apple seeds

Apricot pits

Asparagus

Avocado (entire plant and fruit)

Beans - Mature dried Kidney, Lima, Fava beans, Fresh Edamame *see note (immature Soy Beans)

Beans, any dried

Butter

Caffeine

Carbonated beverages

Cherry pits

Chocolate

Cigarette tobacco

Dried fruits (containing sulfides or sulphates)

Egg Plant

Gatorade

Milk/cream in large quantities

Nectarine pits

Olives

Onions (raw or cooked)

Peach pits

Pear pips

Plum pits

Raw Peanuts

Rhubarb

Tobacco

Tomato (entire plant, a little fruit okay)

Houseplants (most are toxic, not all)*Note on edamame:is only safe if cooked thoroughly and only in very small quantities. It is considered a questionable food to offer parrots as soy contains many non-nutrients, such as phytoestrogens, antienzymes, hemagglutinin, phytates and goitrogens. Phytoestrogens and phytates are of most concern for birds - plant estrogens may cause hormonal issues and phytates prevent the uptake of calcium, magnesium, and iron. Antienzymes in raw edamame prevents nutrient uptake in the digestive system (and cause digestive upset similar to eating raw sweet potato) and the hemagglutinin levels are similar to uncooked kidney and fava beans. Consumption of raw edamame would result in a very sick and possibly dead parrot.

 

Toxic Household Items

Household items toxic to birds:

ALCOHOLIC DRINKS

AMMONIA

ANTIFREEZE

ANT SYRUP or PASTE

ARSENIC

ASBESTOS

AUTO PRODUCTS

BATHROOM CLEANERS

BLEACH

BORIC ACID

CAMPHOPHENIQUE

CARBON MONOXIDE

CARPET CLEANERS

CARPET FRESHENERS

CHARCOAL FLUIDS

CHLORDANE

CHLORINE

CIGARETTE SMOKE

CLINITEST TABLETS

COPPER/BRASS CLEANER

CORN & WART REMOVER

DEODORANTS

DETERGENTS

DIAZINON

DISINFECTANTS

DRAIN CLEANERS

EPOXY GLUE

FELT TIP MARKERS

FLEA PRODUCTS

FLOOR POLISH

FORMALDEHYDE

FURNITURE POLISH

GARDEN SPRAYS

GASOLINE

GUN CLEANERS

HAIR DYES & SPRAYS

HERBICIDES

INSECTICIDES

IODINE

KEROSENE

LIGHTER FLUID

LYE

MATCHES

MELALEUCA OIL

MODEL CEMENT

MOTHBALLS

MURIATIC ACID

MUSHROOMS

NAILPOLISH/REMOVER

NITROGEN DIOXIDE

OVEN CLEANER

OVERHEATED NON-STICK

COOKWARE

PAINT & THINNER

PERFUME

PERMANENTS(HAIR)

PESTICIDES

PHOTO SOLUTIONS

PINE OIL

RX DRUGS

RODENTICIDES

RUBBING ALCOHOL

SCENTED CANDLES

SHAVING LOTION

SHELLAC

SHOE POLISH

SNAIL BAIT

SPOT REMOVERS

SPRAY STARCH

STRYCHNINE

SULFURIC ACID

SUPER GLUE

SUNTAN LOTIONS/OILS

SURGICAL ACRYLICS

TEA TREE OIL

TURPENTINE

WAX

WEED KILLERS

WINDOW CLEANERS

WOOD PRESERVATIVES

                                                                                            

Toxic Foods

Foods toxic for birds:

1) Chocolate

Chocolate poisoning first affects a bird's digestive system, causing vomiting and diarrhea. As the condition progresses, the bird's central nervous system is affected, first causing seizures and eventually death.

2) Apple Seeds

Believe it or not, apples - along with other members of the rose family including cherries, peaches, apricots, and pears - contain trace amounts of Cyanide within their seeds. While the fruit of the apple is fine for your bird, be aware that in addition to the poisonous seeds, there may be pesticides present on the fruit's skin. Be sure to thoroughly cleanse and core any apple pieces that you share with your bird to avoid exposure to these toxins.

3) Avocado

The skin and pit of this popular fruit had been known to cause cardiac distress and eventual heart failure in pet bird species. Although there is some debate to the degree of toxicity of avocados, it is generally advised to adopt a "better safe than sorry" attitude toward them and keep guacamole and other avocado products as far away from pet birds as possible.

4) Onions

While the use of limited amounts of onion or garlic powders as flavorings is generally regarded as acceptable, excessive consumption of onions causes vomiting, diarrhea, and a host of other digestive problems. It has been found that prolonged exposure can lead to a blood condition called hemolytic anemia, which is followed by respiratory distress and eventual death.

Hemolytic anemia (HEE-moh-lit-ick uh-NEE-me-uh) is a condition in which red blood cells are destroyed and removed from the bloodstream before their normal lifespan is up.

5) Alcohol Although responsible bird owners would never dream of offering their pet an alcoholic drink, there have been instances in which free roaming birds have attained alcohol poisoning through helping themselves to unattended cocktails. Alcohol depresses the organ systems of birds and can be fatal. Make sure that your bird stays safe by securing him in his cage whenever alcohol is served in your home.

6) Mushrooms

Mushrooms are a type of fungus, and have been known to cause digestive upset in companion birds. Caps and stems of some varieties can induce liver failure.

7) Tomato Leaves

Tomatoes, like potatoes and other nightshades, have a tasty fruit that is fine when used as a treat for your bird. The stems, vines, and leaves, however, are highly toxic to your pet. Make sure that any time you offer your bird a tomato treat it has been properly cleaned and sliced, with the green parts removed, so that your bird will avoid exposure to any toxins.

8) Salt

While all living beings need regulated amounts of sodium in their systems, too much salt can lead to a host of health problems in birds, including excessive thirst, dehydration, kidney dysfunction, and death. Be sure to keep watch over the amount of salty foods your bird consumes.

9) Caffeine

Caffeinated beverages such as soda, coffee, and tea are popular among people - but allowing your bird to indulge in these drinks can be extremely hazardous. Caffeine causes cardiac malfunction in birds, and is associated with increased heartbeat, arrhythmia, hyper activity, and cardiac arrest. Share a healthy drink of pure fruit or vegetable juice with your bird instead - this will satisfy both your bird's taste buds and nutritional requirements.

10) Dried Beans

Cooked beans are a favorite treat of many birds, but raw, dry bean mixes can be extremely harmful to your pet. Uncooked beans contain a poison called hemaglutin which is very toxic to birds. To avoid exposure, make sure to thoroughly cook any beans that you choose to share with your bird.

Other Foods To Avoid

Fatty foods High fat in the diet leads to obesity and may result in lipomas (fatty tumors), lipemia (fat in the blood), and hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease). Any greasy, oily or otherwise fatty food should be avoided. Commonly overfed fatty foods include nuts, French fries, crackers, marbled meat, peanut butter, butter, fried chicken, fried anything etc.

Sugar foods Obviously, frosting is high in sugar and an undesirable foodstuff. Similarly, soda pop, candy and these types of foods are not recommended.

Dairy Birds lack the digestive enzymes needed to break down milk sugar and milk proteins. Uncultured milk products such as milk, cream and butter should not be fed but yogurt, cheeses and dried milk can be supplemented in the diet in moderation (they are also high in fat).

Lettuce A typical filler food, lettuce is low in everything except water. It is not recommended as a food supplement since it offers little, if anything, for the bird. If leafy foods are desired by your bird, try feeding spinach, collard greens, tops of bok choy, carrot tops or kale.

Avocado Although higher in fat than other veggies and used in other countries to condition birds for breeding, avocado has been shown to be toxic in some birds and its feeding is no longer recommended, as mentioned above in the Toxic Foods list