Safe Plants and Toxic Plants for Pet Birds List
By Eleanor McCaffrey
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 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)

Coffee Tree should not be confused with Coffee Plant.
Coffee Plants are toxic
 

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,

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