Plants Toxic to Birds And Poisoning Symptoms

 

Toxic Plant Toxic part(s) Specific Toxin(s) Symptoms
Avocado (Persea americana) Pit, leaves, unripe fruit, stems Unknown but related to cardiac toxicity Weakness, inability to perch, labored breathing, feather fluffing
Black locust (Robina pseudoacacia) Bark, leaves, seeds Robitin, robin Vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, depression, collapse
Blue-green algae (Microcystis aeruginosa) All parts Anatoxin A, mycrocystin Inability to swim or fly, abnormal posture, frequent defecation, respiratory arrest
Calla lily (Zantedeschia aethiopiea) All parts Oxalates Oral irritation, difficulty swallowing, vomiting
Castor bean (Ricinus communis) All parts Ricin I & II, glycosidase 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) All parts including tubers and unripened fruit Solanine, atropine-like alkaloids, saponins Vomiting, diarrhea, irregular or rapid heart rate, difficulty swallowing, labored breathng, dilated pupils, no urine production, paralysis, seizures
Coffee beans, (Sesbania drumundii), Tea, Chocolate Beans (coffee) Leaves (tea), all chocolates especially dark Caffeine, theobromine, theophylline Nervous system stimulation, increased rate of breathing and heart rate, seizures, diarrhea
Diffenbachia (Diffenbachia spp.) All parts Oxalates Oral irritation, difficulty swallowing, vomiting
Eggplant (Solanum melongena) Stem, leaves, sprouts (ripe fruits are OK) Solanine, atropine-like alkaloids Vomiting, diarrhea, irregular or rapid heart rate, difficulty swallowing, labored breathng, dilated pupils, no urine production, paralysis, seizures
Elephant’s ear (Colocasia or Alocasia spp.) All parts Oxalates Oral irritation, difficulty swallowing, vomiting
Ergot (Claviceps purpurea) All parts Ergopeptide alkaloids Poor blood supply to extremities, hyperexcitability, seizures
Foxglove (Digitalis pupurea) Entire plant, including water from pot or vase Glycosides, digitalis Vomiting, diarrhea, oral irritation, incoordination, irregular heart rate, collapse
Jerusalem cherry (Solanum pseudocapsicum) All parts, including tubers, sprouts, and unripe berries Solanine, atropine Vomiting, diarrhea, irregular or rapid heart rate, difficulty swallowing, labored breathng, no urine production, paralysis, seizures
Jimsonweed (Datura spp.) All parts, especially seeds and leaves Atropine, scopolamine, hyoscyamine Irregular or rapid heart rate, difficulty swallowing, labored breathng, dilated pupils, no urine production, paralysis, seizures
Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) All parts Cardiac glycosides: convallatoxin Vomiting, diarrhea, oral irritation, incoordination, irregular heart rate, collapse
Locoweed (Astragalus emoryanus) Leaves Swainsonine, alkaloids Hyperexcitability, incoordination, vomiting, drowsiness
Milkweed (Asclepias spp.) All parts and latex (milky juice) Cardenoloids (cardiac glycosides) Oral and/or facial blisters, irregular heart rate, incoordination, collapse
Mistletoe (Phoradendron villosum) All parts, especially holly berries Viscumin, viscotoxin Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, labored breathing, irregular heart rate, collapse
Nightshade (Solanum spp.) All parts Belladonna, atropine-like alkaloids Vomiting, diarrhea, irregular or rapid heart rate, difficulty swallowing, labored breathng, dilated pupils, no urine production, paralysis, seizures
Oak (Quercus spp.) All parts Tannins Loss of appetite, diarrhea, increased thirst
Oleander (Nerium oleander) All parts Glycosides: oleadrum, neroside Vomiting, diarrhea, oral irritation, incoordination, irregular heart rate, collapse
Philodendron (Philodendron scandens) All parts, including roots Oxalates Oral irritation, difficulty swallowing, vomiting
Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana) Roots, leaves, berries Saponin Vomiting, tremors, collapse
Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) Stem, leaves, sprouts, green skins Solanine, atropine-like alkaloids Vomiting, diarrhea, irregular or rapid heart rate, difficulty swallowing, labored breathng, dilated pupils, no urine production, paralysis, seizures
Rhododendron (Rhodedendron simsii), Rhododendron species (Azalea) All parts Andromedotoxin, grayanotoxin Vomiting, weakness, collapse, seizure, stupor, coma
Tobacco (Nicotiana spp.) All parts Nicotine Vomiting, diarrhea, hyperexcitability, seizures, muscle twitching, coughing, eye irritation
Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) Stem, leaves, sprouts (ripe fruits are OK) Solanine, atropine-like alkaloids Vomiting, diarrhea, irregular or rapid heart rate, difficulty swallowing, labored breathing, dilated pupils, no urine production, paralysis, seizures
Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolio) Berries, leaves Oxalic acid Vomiting, diarrhea (possibly bloody), drowsiness, stupor, renal failure
Yew (Taxus media) Wood, bark, seeds, leaves Alkaloids (taxines) Muscle tremors, difficulty breathing, collapse, sudden death

 

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Safe Natural Woods for Perches or Toys

  • Alder
  • Almond
  • Apple
  • Apricot
  • Ash
  • Bamboo
  • Beech
  • Birch
  • Citrus
  • Dogwood
  • Elm
  • Eucalyptus*
  • Goat Willow
  • Guava
  • Grape
  • Honeysuckle
  • Mandrone
  • Manzanita
  • Maple (not red)
  • Mesquite
  • Oak*
  • Papaya
  • Pear
  • Pine
  • Poplar
  • Prune
  • Pussy Willow
  • Ribbon Wood
  • Thurlow
  • Vine Maple
  • Walnut
  • Weeping Willow
  • Willow

Toxic Natural Woods – DO NOT USE

  • Avocado
  • Boxwood
  • Cedar
  • Candelabra Tree
  • Cherry Tree
  • Chestnut
  • Chinaberry
  • Crown of Thorns
  • Eucalyptus*
  • Holly
  • Kentucky Coffee
  • Locust
  • Mountain Laurel
  • Oak*
  • Oleander
  • Pencil Tree
  • Rain Tree
  • Red Maple
  • Snow on Mountain
  • Spurges

Note: *Eucalyptus and Oak appear on both the toxic and the safe lists. In 9 out of 10 sources they were listed as safe. In one source they were listed as toxic. Because of this, we suggest that you use caution when using either one.

Toxic Plants

  • Acokanthera
  • Amaryllis
  • Angel’s Trumpet
  • Apricot Seeds (Plant)
  • Apple Seeds (Plant)
  • Avocado
  • Balsam Pear
  • Baneberry
  • Belladonna (Nightshade)
  • Bird of Paradise
  • Bittersweet
  • Black Locust
  • Boxwood
  • Bracken Fern
  • Buckthorn
  • Burdock
  • Buttercup
  • Caladium
  • Calla Lily
  • Cat Claw Acacia
  • Caster Bean
  • Cherry Pits (Plant)
  • Chinaberry
  • Clematis
  • Coffee Bean
  • Coral Plant
  • Crocus
  • Cactus (Sago Cactus)
  • Daphne
  • Death Camas
  • Delphinium
  • Devil’s Ivy
  • Dieffenbachia
  • Eggplant
  • Elderberry
  • Elephant’s Ears
  • European Pennyroya
  • Figs
  • Four O’Clocks
  • Foxglove
  • Heliotrope
  • Henbane
  • Holly
  • Horse Chestnut
  • Horse Nettle
  • Hydrangea
  • Ivy
  • Jack-in-the-Pulpit
  • Jerusalem Cherry
  • Jasmine (Yellow)
  • Jimson Weed
  • Jonquil
  • Lantana
  • Lorel
  • Lily of the Valley
  • Lobelia
  • Loco Weed
  • Lupine
  • Marijuana
  • Mistletoe
  • Mock Orange
  • Monkshood
  • Morning Glory
  • Mushroom
  • Narcissus
  • Oak
  • Oleander
  • Pear Seeds (Plant)
  • Peony
  • Periwinkle
  • Peyote
  • Philodendron
  • Pigweed
  • Plum
  • Poison Hemlock
  • Poison Ivy
  • Poison Oak
  • Poison Sumac
  • Poinsettia
  • Poppy
  • Pokeweed
  • Potato Eye
  • Pothos
  • Primrose
  • Privet
  • Ragwort
  • Red Maple
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