How Safe is Your Bird?
Limited research done on toxic plants and birds. What has been tested in humans, has not been tested on birds. There are many unknown factors with plant toxicity to birds.
Are only certain parts of the plant toxic? How much of a plant did a bird ingest? Is the plant toxic to just one species of bird or all birds? Keep this in mind when keeping houseplants and birds and use caution if you own plants that are not on safe or toxic plant lists.
Safe Plants |
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| Acacia | Corn Plant | Jade Plant | Rubber Tree |
| African Violet | Crab Apple | Kalanchoe | Schefflera |
| Aloe Plant | Dandelion | Magnolia | Sensitive Plant |
| Asparagus Fern | Dogwood | Eucalyptus | Spider Plant |
| Baby’s Tears | Donkey Tail | Monkey Plant | Snake Plant |
| Bamboo | Dracaena | Nasturtium | Swedish Ivy |
| Begonia | Dragon Tree | Oregano | Thyme |
| Boston Fern | Easter Cactus | Palms | Thistle |
| Bougainvillea | Ferns | Pittosporum | Wandering Jew |
| Chickweed | Figs | Petunias | Wax Plant |
| Christmas Cactus | Gardenia | Prayer Plant | White Clover |
| Coffee Tree | Grape Ivy | Rose | Zebra Plant |
| Coleus | Hens & Chickens | Rosemary | Love Your Tiel |
Coffee Tree should not be confused with Coffee Plant.
Coffee Plants are toxic.
Safe Trees and Woods for Bird Perches and Toys:
DO NOT use wood that has been treated with pesticides or other chemicals.
Almond, Apple, Arbutus, Ash, Bamboo, Beech, Birch, Cottonwood, Citrus Trees, Crabapple, Dogwood, Elm, Fir, Hazelnut, Palms, Pear, Pecan, Pine, Poplar, Hawthorne, Larch, Lilac, Magnolia, Manzanita, Mulberry, Redwood, Willow.
DO NOT use wood from any tree or plant that has ever been chemically treated with pesticides or any other type of chemical.
Cleaning Tree Branches Before Using
To destroy mold, fungus, parasites, bacteria and other living organisms, soak all branches in a few gallons of water, with 1 tablespoon of bleach, for 1 hour.
Rinse branches well with clean water. To dry small branches, bake in a 250 degree Fahrenheit oven for 1 hour.
Dry large branches outdoors in direct sunlight.
Toxic, Poisonous Woods for Bird Perches and Toys
DO NOT use wood from apricot, peach, prune or nectarine trees.
These trees belong to the Prunus species. The wood can release cyanide if eaten by a bird.
Toxic Plants and Trees |
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| Amaryllis | Delphinium | Mistletoe | Prune Trees |
| Andromeda | Dieffenbachia | Mock Orange | Purple Seabane |
| Avocado | Elderberry | Monkshood | Ranunculus |
| Azalea | Elephant Ear | Morning Glory | Red Maple |
| Baneberry | Eucalyptus-dried | Mountain Laurel | Rhubarb Leaves |
| Bean Plant | Euonymus | Mushrooms | Rhododendrons |
| Belladonna | Felt Plant | Narcissus | Rubber Plant |
| Bird of Paradise | Ficus | Nectarine Trees | Sandbox Tree |
| Black Locust | Firethorn | Nettles | Shamrocks |
| Bleeding Heart | Flame Tree | Nightshade | Skunk Cabbage |
| Boxwood | Four O’ Clocks | Oak Trees | Snowdrop |
| Bulb Flowers | Foxglove | Oleander | Sorrel |
| Buttercup | Heliotrope | Peach Tree | Spurges |
| Braken Fern | Holly | Periwinkle | Sweet Pea |
| Caladium | Honeysuckle | Philodendron | Tobacco |
| Clover | Hyacinth | Pigweed | Trumpet Vines |
| Coffee Plants | Hydrangea | Plum Trees | Tomato Plants |
| Cherry Tree | Iris | Poinsettia | Vetch |
| Chestnut Tree | Ivy | Poison Ivy | Wattle |
| Clematis | Jasmine | Poison Oak | White Cedar |
| Coral Plant | Jerusalem Cherry | Poison Sumac | Wisteria |
| Cowslip | Jimsonweed | Pokeweed | Wild Sunflowers |
| Crownvetch | Juniper | Potato Plants | White Cedar Tree |
| Daffodil | May Apple | Pothos | Yews |
| Daphne | Milkweed | Privet Hedge | Nutmeg |
| Marigold | **** | **** | **** |
Toxic List
This isn’t a complete list by any means. Be aware of anything with a strong smell and just don’t use it if in doubt. Another thing to be aware of is things going on in your neighborhood… if someone is painting or grilling out… if there is a lawn chemical company spraying yards, please make sure windows and doors are closed.
Please read all labels of cleaning items that you use in your house… most are toxic to birds.
Here is a list of things
- Asbestos
- Ammonia
- Bleach/Chlorine
- Carbon Monoxide
- Cigarette Smoke
- Diazanon
- Dryer Sheets
- Fabreeze
- Flea Bombs/Collars
- Topical Flea Killers (such as the drops you put on the dogs and cats)
- Floor Polishes
- Formaldehyde (new rugs and some materials need to be aired out before bringing them into the home as they are treated with Formaldehyde ….new furniture that has been treated with stain resistance)
- Furniture and Rug Shampoo
- Hair Dye
- Hair Spray
- House Paint (actually ANY kind of paint or varnish)
- Kerosene
- Matches
- Moth Balls
- Nail Polish
- Nail Polish Remover
- Oil Paint
- Over Cleaner
- Paint Remover
- Perfumes
- Permanent Wave
- Solution
- Pesticides
- Rug Deodorizers (like carpet fresh)
- Shoe Polish and Cleaners
- Self Cleaning Ovens
- Scented Candles
- Spot Removers
- Spray Starch
- Suntan Lotions
- Surgical Acrylics
- Toilet Cleaners
- TEFLON COOKWARE (Just throw it out ..Don’t take any chances by leaving even one pan in your house to be used by accident!)
- Wax
