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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
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