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	Bamboo
Australian laurel	Barberry
Bamboo palm	Bayberry
Begonias	American or European Beech
Bird's nest fern	Bladdernut
Boston fern	Blueberry
Bottle brush fern	Comfrey
Canary Island palm	Coralberry
Christmas cactus	Cotoneaster firethorn
Coffee tree	Crabapple
Corn plant	Dogwood
Creeping fig	Common, European or Red Elderberry
Danish ivy	Balsam, Douglas, Subalpine or White Fir
Devil's ivy	Grape vine
Dragon tree	Huckleberry
European fan palm	Marigold
Fiddle leaf fig	Nasturtium
Fig tree	Ponderosa, Spruce, Virginia, or White Pine
Flame nettle	Pyracantha
Hawaiian scheffler	Raspberry
Indian laurel	Rose
Jade plant	Snowberry
Kangaroo vine	Black, Norway, Red, or White Spruce
Lace fern	Viburnum
Lady palm	Wax plant
Maidenhair fern	White poplar
Ming fern	Willow
Mother fern
Mother-in-law's tongue
Norfolk pine
Paradise palm
Parlor palm
Pepperomia
Prayer plant
Purple passion
Rubber tree
Spider plant
Umbrella tree
Wandering Jew

References and Further Reading

Gfeller, R; Messonnier, S. Handbook of Small Animal Toxicology & Poisonings. Mosby, Inc. St. Louis, MO; 1998.

Oglesbee, B. Mycotic Diseases. Altman, R; Clubb, S; Dorrestein, G; Quesenberry, K. (eds.). Avian Medicine and Surgery. W.B. Saunders. Philadelphia, PA; 1997; pp 611-612.

Olsen, G; Orosz, S. Manual of Avian Medicine. Mosby, Inc. St. Louis, MO; 2000; pp 248-254.

Rupley, A. Manual of Avian Practice. W.B. Saunders. Philadelphia, PA; 1997; pp 532-533.