There are a variety of plants which are poisonous to birds, but there are many safe plants, too. So if you are a dedicated house plant enthusiast, you can have your plants and birds, too.
How toxic a plant is for birds depends upon:
The plant itself
The amount ingested relative to the size of the bird
The species of the bird
For example, a cockatoo that nibbles a few bites of philodendron may experience a mild degree of toxicity, whereas, the same amount or less may be lethal for a canary.
Although there are significant differences among species as to reaction and sensitivity to various plants, most sources agree that those plants listed in Table 1 are toxic to any bird. This list may appear long but is by no means all-inclusive. There are many more toxic plants than safe plants, so stick to the "safe" list in Table 2 for plants you will keep in the bird's environment.
The most commonly observed sign of poisonous plant ingestion in birds is some form of gastric or intestinal upset e.g., vomiting and/or diarrhea. The treatment for plant poisonings is generally symptomatic.
If you suspect your bird has ingested a toxic plant, call your veterinarian or the poison control center immediately. It may be a good idea to print this article and keep it in a handy place near the telephone so you do not have to go searching and waste time in a stressful situation.
Although we are talking about plants here, it is worthy of mentioning that birds are acutely sensitive to fumes from solvents and Teflon. Do not use any Teflon coated cooking utensils, ironing board covers, or other items anywhere near a bird.
Plants That Are Toxic to Birds
Avocado (Persea americana) Toxic Parts: Pit, leaves, unripe fruit, stems. Specific Toxic: Unknown, but related to cardiac toxicity. Symptoms can include: weakness, inability to perch, labored breathing, feather fluffing.
Black locust (Robina pseudoacacia) Toxic Parts: Bark, leaves, seeds. Specific Toxic: Robitin. Symptoms can include: Vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, depression, collapse.
Blue-green algae (Microcystis aeruginosa) Toxic parts: All parts. Specific Toxin: Anatoxin A, mycrocystin. Symptoms: Inability to swim or fly, abnormal posture, frequent defecation, respiratory arrest.
Calla lily (Zantedeschia aethiopiea) Toxic Parts: All parts. Specific Toxin: Oxalates Symptoms: Oral irritation, difficulty swallowing, vomiting.
Castor bean (Ricinus communis) Toxic parts: All parts. Specific Toxin: Ricin I & II, glycosidase. Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea (may be bloody) Note: similar symptoms may be seen with ingested prayer beans, rosary peas or Seminole beads used in beadwork and rattles)
Christmas cherry (Solanum pseudocapsicum) Toxic parts: All parts including tubers and unripened fruit. Specific Toxin: Solanine, atropine-like alkaloids, saponins. Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, irregular or rapid heart rate, difficulty swallowing, labored breathing, dilated pupils, no urine production, paralysis, seizures.
Coffee beans, (Sesbania drumundii) Tea, Chocolate Beans (coffee), Leaves (tea), all chocolates especially dark. Specific Toxin: Caffeine, theobromine, theophylline. Symptoms: Nervous system stimulation, increased rate of breathing and heart rate, seizures, diarrhea.
Diffenbachia (Diffenbachia spp.) Toxic parts: All parts. Specific Toxin: Oxalates. Symptoms: Oral irritation, difficulty swallowing, vomiting.
Eggplant (Solanum melongena) Toxic parts: Stem, leaves, sprouts (ripe fruits are OK) Specific Toxin: Solanine, atropine-like alkaloids. Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, irregular or rapid heart rate, difficulty swallowing, labored breathing, dilated pupils, no urine production, paralysis, seizures.
Elephant's ear (Colocasia or Alocasia spp.) Toxic part: All parts. Specific Toxin: Oxalates. Symptoms: Oral irritation, difficulty swallowing, vomiting.
Ergot (Claviceps purpurea) Toxic Parts: All parts. Specific Toxin: Ergopeptide alkaloids. Symptoms: Poor blood supply to extremities, hyperexcitability, seizures.
Foxglove (Digitalis pupurea) Toxic part: Entire plant, including water from pot or vase. Specific Toxin: Glycosides, digitalis. Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, oral irritation, incoordination, irregular heart rate, collapse.
Jerusalem cherry (Solanum pseudocapsicum) Toxic part: All parts, including tubers, sprouts, and unripe berries. Specific Toxin: Solanine, atropine. Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, irregular or rapid heart rate, difficulty swallowing, labored breathing, no urine production, paralysis, seizures.
Jimsonweed (Datura spp.) Toxic parts: All parts, especially seeds and leaves. Specific Toxin: Atropine, scopolamine, hyoscyamine. Symptoms: Irregular or rapid heart rate, difficulty swallowing, labored breathing, dilated pupils, no urine production, paralysis, seizures.
Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) Toxic parts: All parts. Specific Toxin: Cardiac glycosides: convallatoxin. Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, oral irritation, incoordination, irregular heart rate, collapse.
Locoweed (Astragalus emoryanus) Toxic parts: Leaves. Specific Toxin: Swainsonine, alkaloids. Symptoms: Hyperexcitability, incoordination, vomiting, drowsiness.
Milkweed (Asclepias spp.) Toxic Parts: All parts and latex (milky juice). Specific Toxin: Cardenoloids (cardiac glycosides). Symptoms: Oral and/or facial blisters, irregular heart rate, incoordination, collapse.
Mistletoe (Phoradendron villosum) Toxic parts: All parts, especially holly berries. Specific Toxin: Viscumin, viscotoxin. Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, labored breathing, irregular heart rate, collapse.
Nightshade (Solanum spp.) Toxic parts: All parts. Specific Toxin: Belladonna, atropine-like alkaloids. Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, irregular or rapid heart rate, difficulty swallowing, labored breathing, dilated pupils, no urine production, paralysis, seizures.
Oak (Quercus spp.) Toxic parts: All parts. Specific Toxin: Tannins. Symptoms: Loss of appetite, diarrhea, increased thirst.
Oleander (Nerium oleander) Toxic parts: All parts. Specific Toxin: Glycosides: oleadrum, neroside. Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, oral irritation, incoordination, irregular heart rate, collapse.
Philodendron (Philodendron scandens) Toxic Parts: All parts, including roots. Specific Toxins: Oxalates. Symptoms: Oral irritation, difficulty swallowing, vomiting.
Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcheriama) Toxic Parts: Leaves, stem, white sap. Specific Toxin: Phorbol esters. Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, facial or eye irritation.
Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana) Toxic parts: Roots, leaves, berries. Specific Toxin: Saponin. Symptoms: Vomiting, tremors, collapse.
Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) Toxic parts: Stem, leaves, sprouts, green skins. Specific Toxin: Solanine, atropine-like alkaloids. Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, irregular or rapid heart rate, difficulty swallowing, labored breathing, dilated pupils, no urine production, paralysis, seizures.
Rhododendron (Rhodedendron simsii), Rhododendron species (Azalea) Toxic part: All parts. Specific Toxin: Andromedotoxin, grayanotoxin. Symptoms: Vomiting, weakness, collapse, seizure, stupor, coma.
Tobacco (Nicotiana spp.) Toxic part: All parts. Specific Toxin: Nicotine. Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, hyperexcitability, seizures, muscle twitching, coughing, eye irritation.
Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) Toxic part: Stem, leaves, sprouts (ripe fruits are OK). Specific Toxin: Solanine, atropine-like alkaloids. Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, irregular or rapid heart rate, difficulty swallowing, labored breathing, dilated pupils, no urine production, paralysis, seizures.
Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolio) Toxic part: Berries, leaves. Specific Toxin: Oxalic acid. Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea (possibly bloody), drowsiness, stupor, renal failure.
Yew (Taxus media) Toxic part: Wood, bark, seeds, leaves. Specific Toxin: Alkaloids (taxines). Symptoms: Muscle tremors, difficulty breathing, collapse, sudden death.
Plants That Are Safe for Birds
African violet
American bittersweet
Aloe
Autumn olive
Areca palm
Bamboo
Australian laurel
Barberry
Bamboo palm
Bayberry
Begonias
American or European Beech
Bird's nest fern
Bladdernut
Boston fern
Blueberry
Bottle brush fern
Comfrey
Canary Island palm
Coralberry
Christmas cactus
Cotoneaster firethorn
Coffee tree
Crabapple
Corn plant
Dogwood
Creeping fig
Common, European or Red ElderberryDanish ivy
Balsam, Douglas, Subalpine or White Fir
Devil's ivy
Grape vine
Dragon tree
Huckleberry
European fan palm
Marigold
Fiddle leaf fig
Nasturtium
Fig tree
Ponderosa, Spruce, Virginia, or White PineFlame nettle
Pyracantha
Hawaiian scheffler
Raspberry
Indian laurel
RoseJade plant
Snowberry
Kangaroo vine
Black, Norway, Red, or White Spruce
Lace fern
Viburnum
Lady palm
Wax plant
Maidenhair fern
White poplar
Ming fern
Willow
Mother fern
Mother-in-law's tongue
Norfolk pine
Paradise palm
Parlor palm
Pepperomia
Prayer plant
Purple passion
Rubber tree
Spider plant
Umbrella tree
Wandering Jew
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