Dr. Jeanne Smith, in the University of
California Exotic Bird Report, January.2001, states that "there has only been
limited research done on safe and toxic plants for pet birds". Research on safe
and poisonous plants for pet birds has been conducted primarily at Washington
State University and from isolated case reports. What has been tested in
humans, has not been tested in birds and there are many unknown factors with plant toxicity.
Are only certain parts of the plant poisonous? How much of a plant did a bird
ingest? Is the plant toxic to just one species of pet birds or is it toxic
to all species of pet birds? When keeping house plants and birds use
caution with plants that are not on any a safe or toxic plant list. Always keep
birds away from the soil which can contain mold spores and bacteria. (Safe
trees to use as safe wood for bird perches and bird toys, safe garden herbs for pet
birds and safe seeds from garden plants for pet birds are listed below the 2
charts)
Safe Plants
Abelia
Calendula
Hibiscus
Petunias
African Daisy
Camellia
Impatiens
Pittosporum
African Violet
Coleus
Kangaroo Vine
Prayer Plant
Aloe Vera
Coriander (cilantro)
Kalanchoe
Purple Passion
Anise
Corn Plant
Lace Fern
Rose
Asparagus Fern
Creeping Fig
Lady Palm
Rosemary
Baby's Breath
Crab Apple
Lemon Balm
Sensitive Plant
Baby's Tears
Dahlia
Lilac
Spearmint
Bachelor's Buttons
Dandelion
Magnolia
Spider Plant
Bee Balm
Dill
Maiden Hair Fern
Spruce
Bamboo
Dogwood
Marjoram
Snake Plant
Basil
Dracaena
Marigolds
String of Beads
Begonia
Dragon Tree
Milk Thistle
Sunflowers (seeds)
Birds Nest Fern
Easter Cactus
Mother Fern
Swedish Ivy
Boston Fern
Eucalyptus
Monkey Plant
Thyme
Bottle Brush Fern
Fennel
Nasturtium
Thistle
Bougainvillea
Fir Trees
Oregano
Wandering Jew
Canary Island
Palm
Flame Nettle
Pansy
Wax Plant
Chickweed
Gardenia
Paradise Palm
White Cover
Chicory
Gloxinia
Parlor Palm
Zebra Plant
Chamomile
Grape Ivy
Parsley
******
Christmas Cactus
Helianthus
Passion Flower
******
Cilantro
Hens & Chickens
Peppermint
******
Coffee Tree
should not be confused with
Coffee Plant.
Coffee Plants are toxic
Toxic Plants
Amaryllis
Delphinium
Marsh Marigold
Pothos
Andromeda
Dieffenbachia
May Apple
Privet Hedge
Avocado
Elderberry
Milkweed
Prune Trees
Azalea
Elephant Ear
Mistletoe
Purple Seabane
Baneberry
Eucalyptus-dried
Mock Orange
Ranunculus
Bean Plant
Euonymus
Monkshood
Red Maple
Belladonna
Felt Plant
Morning Glory
Rhubarb (Leaves)
Bird of Paradise
Ficus
Mountain Laurel
Rhododendron
Black Locust
Firethorn
Mushrooms
Rubber Plant
Bleeding Heart
Flame Tree
Narcissus
Salvia
Boxwood
Four O' Clocks
Nectarine Trees
Sandbox Tree
Flowers from Bulbs
Foxglove
Nettle
Schefflera
Buttercup
Heliotrope
Nightshade
Shamrocks
Braken Fern
Holly
Nutmeg
Skunk Cabbage
Caladium
Honeysuckle
Oak Tree
Snowdrop
Calla Lily
Hyacinth
Oleander
Sorrel
Clover
Hydrangea
Peach Tree
Spurge
Coffee Plants
Iris
Peony
Star of Bethlehem
Cherry Tree
Ivy
Periwinkle
Sweet Pea
Chestnut Tree
Lilies (Lillium)
Philodendron
Tobacco
Clematis
Lily of the Valley
Pigweed
Tomato (Plants)
Comfrey
Jasmine
Pittosporum
Trumpet Vines
Coral Plant
Jerusalem Cherry
Plum Tree
Tulips
Cowslip
Jimsonweed
Poinsettia
Umbrella Plant
Crocus
Juniper
Poison Ivy, Oak &
Sumac
Vetch
Crownvetch
Lovelia
Pokeweed
White Cedar
Daffodil
Lupine
Poppy
Wisteria
Daphne
Marijuana
Potato (Plants)
Yews
Safe Trees and Safe Wood for Bird Perches and Toys
Choose wood that has NOT been treated with pesticides or other chemicals. Choose
wood that is clean, free from visible mold, fungus, disease or rot spots. Safe
trees for bird perches and bird toys include Almond, Apple, Arbutus, Ash,
Aspen, Bamboo, Beech, Birch, Cottonwood, Crabapple, Dogwood, Elm, Fir,
Hazelnut, Palms, Pear, Pecan, Pine, Poplar, Hawthorne, Larch, Lilac,
Magnolia, Manzanita, Mimosa, Mulberry, Redwood, Willow.
To destroy mold, fungus, parasites and bacteria before using wood, soak all branches in a few gallons of water,
with 1 tablespoon of bleach, for 1 hour.
Rinse branches well with clean water. To dry small
branches, bake in a 250 degree Fahrenheit oven for 1 hour.
Dry large branches outdoors in direct sunlight.
Toxic Trees and Poisonous Wood for Bird Perches and Toys:
Cedar, Holly, Horse Chestnut, Oak, Red Maple, Sassafras, and Walnut. Trees from
the Prunus species include Apricot, peach, prune and nectarine and these are
also also toxic. Trees from the Prunus species can release cyanide if ingested by a bird. For more Safe and Toxic Trees, Click Here
Safe Garden Herbs for Pet Birds : Basil, Chamomile, Chicory,
Cilantro (another name for Coriander and Chinese Parsley), Dandelion, Dill, Ginger Root, Fennel, Lemon Balm, Marjoram, Oregano, Peppermint, Spearmint, Rosemary,
Thyme.
Safe Seeds from Garden Plants: Canary Grass, Canola, Caraway, Echinacea, Flax, Hemp,
Millet (white proso and red) Nyjer, Pumpkin, Rape, Safflower, Sunflower, Thistle, Hemp, and Sesame.
Special thanks to all who shared
photographs of their birds with us!
Sources: Feeding Your Pet Bird, Dr. Petra
Burgmann, DVM; Caring for Your Pet Bird, Gary Gallerstein, DVM,
The Cockatiel Handbook, Matthew M. Vriends,PHD,
Cockatiels for Dummies, Diane Grindol, Cornell University, Department of Animal
Science Toxic Plant Database; Merck Veterinary Manual; University of California,
Exotic Bird Report; University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Science;
Purdue University Cooperative Extension,