Toxic and Non-Toxic Items for Birds – The Complete List

Non-toxic for birds list of safe wood for birds, trees, household items and plants not safe for birds. Safe and Toxic fruits and veggies for parrots.

These lists are from mdvaden.com and other sources. Please check with your avian vet if in doubt. Please visit Mr. Vaden’s website and contact him if you have a question about any woods on this list.

Remember that any chemicals that are sprayed on trees are toxic and may kill your bird.

Non-Toxic Wood for Birds

The following materials are not safe if toxic chemicals or insecticides have been sprayed on them. Before installing them in any cage, scrub all branches with a non-toxic disinfectant, then rinse and dry well (preferably in the sun.)

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:

• ACACIA
• 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
• BARBERRY- Berberis
• BIRCH – see paragraph
• BEECH – Fagus
• BOIS D’ARC – horse apple tree
• BOTTLE BRUSH
• BUTTERFLY BUSH
• CAMELLIA
• 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
• 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
• SASSAFRAS
• 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)
• WIEGELA
• YUCCA

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
• 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
• 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

Non-Toxic Foliage

Foliage non-toxic for birds:

• ACACIA
• ALOE
• AFRICAN VIOLET
• BABY’S TEARS
• BAMBOO
• BEGONIA
• BOSTON FERN
• BOUGAINVILLEA
• 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
• HEN AND CHICKENS
• IMPATIENS
• JADE PLANT
• KALANCHOE
• MAGNOLIA
• MARIGOLDS
• MONKEY PLANT
• MOTHER-IN-LAW (Are we sure?)
• NASTURTIUM
• NATAL PLUM
• NORFOLK ISLAND PINE
• ORCHIDS
• PALMS: (ARECA, DATE, FAN, LADY, PARLOUR, HOWEIA, KENTIA, PHOWNIX, SAGO)
• PEPPEROMIA
• PETUNIA
• PITTOSPORUM
• PRAYER PLANT
• PURPLE PASSION
• ROSE
• ROSEMARY
• RUBBER PLANT
• SCHEFFLERA
• SENSITIVE PLANT
• SNAKE PLANT
• SPIDER PLANT
• SWEDISH IVY
• THISTLE
• VELVET NETTLE
• WANDERING JEW
• WAX PLANT
• WHITE CLOVER
• YUCCA
• ZEBRA PLANT
• ZINNIA

Toxic Plants

Plants toxic for birds:

• 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
• PEACE LILY
• PERIWINKLE
• PHILODENDRONS: (SPLIT LEAF, SWISS CHEESE, HEART-LEAF)
• PIGWEED
• POINCIANA
• POINSETTIA
• 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
• SKUNK CABBAGE
• SORREL (DOCK)
• SNOW DROP
• SPURGES: (PENCIL TREE, SNOW-ON-MTN, CANDELABRA, CROWN OF THORNS)
• STAR OF BETHLEHEM
• SWEET PEA
• SWISS CHEESE PLANT (MONSTERA)
• TANSY RAGWORT
• TOBACCO
• UMBRELLA PLANT
• VETCH: HAIRY/COMMON
• VIRGINIA CREEPER
• WATTLE
• WEEPING FIG
• WHITE CEDAR, CHINA BERRY
• WISTERIA
• YEWS
• YELLOW JASMINE

Safe Fruits and Vegetables for Birds

Here is the full list of fruits which are safe for birds:

Safe Fruits

• Apple
• Apricot
• Banana
• Blackberry
• Blackcurrant
• Blood orange
• Blueberry
• Cantaloupe melon
• Cherry
• Cranberry
• Dried dates
• Figs (fresh)
• Gooseberries
• Grape
• Guava
• Honeydew melon
• Kiwifruit
• Lychee (Litchi)
• Mandarin
• Mango
• Melon
• Nectarine
• Orange
• Papaya
• Peach
• Pear
• Pineapple
• Plum
• Pomegranate
• Quince
• Raspberry
• Red Currants
• Strawberry
• Tangerine
• Yellow Plum

Make sure that all apple, orange and other seeds are removed before letting your birds eat the fresh foods. And make sure you wash all fruits and vegetable thoroughly. It’s always best to go organic for your parrots to stay away from pesticides.

Healthy and Safe Vegetables for Birds

• Artichoke
• Beans, cooked only
• Bell Peppers
• Broccoli
• Brussels sprouts
• Carrot
• Cauliflower
• Celery stalks
• Chinese Cabbage
• Corn (milky & soft)
• Cucumber
• Eggplant (fruit only)
• Endive
• Fennel
• Green Beans
• Hot Peppers
• Kale
• Lettuce
• Peas
• Potato (cooked)
• Pumpkin (and seeds)
• Radish Red Beet (fresh)
• Radicchio
• Romain Lettuce
• Spinach
• Sprouts
• Squash
• Sweet Potato
• Turnips
• Watercress
• Yams
• Zucchini

Again, make sure vegetables are washed and preferably organic. The chemicals they feed the plants will harm you and your birds.

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 – Kidney, Lima
• 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)
• Parsley
• Peach pits
• Pear pips
• Plum pits
• Raw Peanuts
• Rhubarb
• Tobacco
• Tomato (entire plant, a little fruit okay)
• Houseplants (most are toxic, not all)

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 DYE
• 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
• METALS (Many metals including ceiling fans are toxic)
• 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.

11. Parsley

(Sent by a reader) After loosing several birds ( hook bills)and couldn’t figure out why, I was told by several budgie breeders, after I told them I gave those birds parsley, that parsley is actually poisonous to hook bills.

I just thought I’d share this with you about what I have experienced and learned from professional budgie breeders.

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.