List Of Garden & House Plants Unsafe / Safe For Birds

[Guest IB]

Table 1. Plants Toxic to Birds 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

 

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

 

Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcheriama) Leaves, stem, white sap Phorbol esters Vomiting, diarrhea, facial or eye irritation

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

Table 2. Plants Safe for Birds Indoor/House Plants Outdoor Plants

African violet

American bittersweet

Aloe

Autumn olive

Areca palm

Australian laurel

Barberry

Bamboo

Bamboo palm

Bayberry

Begonias

American or European Beech

Balsam, Douglas, Subalpine or White Fir

Bird's nest fern

Black, Norway, Red, or White Spruce

Bladdernut

Blueberry

Boston fern

Bottle brush fern

Canary Island palm

Coralberry

Comfrey

Christmas cactus

Coffee tree

Common, European or Red Elderberry

Corn plant

Cotoneaster firethorn

Crabapple

Creeping fig

Danish ivy

Devil's ivy

Dogwood

Dragon tree

European fan palm

Fiddle leaf fig

Fig tree

Flame nettle

Grape vine

Hawaiian scheffler

Huckleberry

Indian laurel

Jade plant

Kangaroo vine

Lace fern

Lady palm

Maidenhair fern

Marigold

Ming fern

Mother fern

Mother-in-law's tongue

Nasturtium

Norfolk pine

Paradise palm

Parlor palm

Pepperomia

Ponderosa, Spruce, Virginia, or White Pine

Prayer plant

Purple passion

Pyracantha

Raspberry

Rose

Rubber tree

Snowberry

Spider plant

Umbrella tree

Viburnum

Wandering Jew

Wax plant

White poplar

Willow

[THE FIFER]

I see in the toxic one Tobacco so what about tobacco stalks used for nesting, could this harm the birds

[Guest IB]

Did mention that one before, Fifer, and didn't get a response on the forum, but since then have seen and planted Nicotania in my front garden, it's also called the nicotine plant, so its maybe that one the list refers to. But I still don't use tobacco stalks.

[ovy1255]

my birds especially young birds love to eat the leaves of the privot hedge never had them bad off this and scored with them so must be ok.

[Guest IB]

my birds especially young birds love to eat the leaves of the privot hedge never had them bad off this and scored with them so must be ok.

 

Another list shows both the wood & leaves of privet as harmful. Remember that some substances build up in the body over time, and don't cause problems until they reach a certain level. Don't know for sure, but privet could contain that kind of substance.

 

Strangely enough, pyracantha comes up as poisonous on that list?

 

http://www.parrot-and-conure-world.com/non-toxic-for-birds.html

[alex young]

my birds especially young birds love to eat the leaves of the privot hedge never had them bad off this and scored with them so must be ok.

Mine go for the box hedge,it doesn't seem to harm them but I try to discourage it,my wife planted it to stop the birds pecking in the borders which I think is a lot worse.

[just ask me]

great list that :emoticon-0137-clapping:

 

 

seen one that deadly to us males too Mother-in-law's tongue :emoticon-0136-giggle:

[THE FIFER]

yes interesting reading

[THE FIFER]

an old one by the late IB, and interesting, any members thoughts on plants,

[philg50]

I often and have heard of probs with Rhubarb leaves .

[REDCHEQHEN]

A good plant to have in the garden is Verbascum. It is a herbal remedy for minor ailments and respiratory infections. Birds will peck at it. It is a constituent of some pigeon supplements currently on the market

[THE FIFER]

what was the plant that was good for keeping cats out of your garden ,but not good for birds ?/

[ovy1255]

Lads plant livingstone daisies ,the green leaves are velvetly to touch and birds devour them.

[Hillstreetblues48]

what was the plant that was good for keeping cats out of your garden ,but not good for birds ?/

Lillies

[doomanbev]

very interesting any plant that cause rapid heart rate would be deadly to our friend bop

and not illegal

[THE FIFER]

what was the plant that was good for keeping cats out of your garden ,but not good for birds ?/

 

I think it was Coleus , think that's the correct name, had a certain scent to it which cats did'nt like

[Kyleakin Lofts]

I think it was Coleus , think that's the correct name, had a certain scent to it which cats did'nt like

 

I think Coleus is an indoor plant. Green and Maroon variegated leaves. You nip out the flower buds to encourage it to bush up.

[THE FIFER]

I think Coleus is an indoor plant. Green and Maroon variegated leaves. You nip out the flower buds to encourage it to bush up.

 

I must have it wrong then the one I am thinking about was used to keep cats from your garden ,

[paddymac]

Coleus plants are mainly an outdoor garden plant, but they can be cultivated to grow indoors.

[Kyleakin Lofts]

Coleus plants are mainly an outdoor garden plant, but they can be cultivated to grow indoors.

 

I've only ever seen them indoors. Do they require a mild climate?

[paddymac]

I've only ever seen them indoors. Do they require a mild climate?

No

[REDCHEQHEN]

what was the plant that was good for keeping cats out of your garden ,but not good for birds ?/

 

 

 

http://catsaway.org/cat-repellent-plants/

 

 

coleus canina is the one you must have been thinking about - looks totally different from the coleus I associate by that name

[Kyleakin Lofts]

http://catsaway.org/cat-repellent-plants/

 

 

coleus canina is the one you must have been thinking about - looks totally different from the coleus I associate by that name

 

Aah, that is a different plant from the one I was thinking about.

[paddymac]

http://catsaway.org/cat-repellent-plants/

 

 

coleus canina is the one you must have been thinking about - looks totally different from the coleus I associate by that name

Spot on Sue

[THE FIFER]

http://catsaway.org/...pellent-plants/

 

 

coleus canina is the one you must have been thinking about - looks totally different from the coleus I associate by that name

 

very good and interesting link thanks