Plants and Pet Birds: What's Risky and What to Do

Why Plants Are Tricky

Parrots, budgies and finches chew and taste almost everything they land on, and a houseplant on a windowsill makes an inviting perch. VCA Animal Hospitals points out that studies on plant safety in birds are limited. Much of what we know is borrowed from other species, and a plant that harms one kind of bird may not affect another in the same way.

That is why you will find plenty of "bird-safe plant" lists online that disagree with each other. Treat them with caution.

Plants to Keep Away From Birds

VCA's list of plants that may be poisonous to birds runs to well over a hundred entries and is not complete. Some of the most common ones in homes and gardens:

VCA singles out avocado, clematis, foxglove, garlic, lily of the valley, oleander, poinsettia, rhododendron, Virginia creeper and yew as specifically reported to harm birds. Fruit pits and apple seeds are also best kept away from birds.

Bird-Proofing Your Greenery

• Keep houseplants out of the bird's flying room, or behind glass in a closed room.
• Check new plants against a reliable list before they come in, and when in doubt, leave them out.
• Watch out for cut flowers and bouquets, especially lilies and seasonal greenery.
• Never let birds near plants treated with pesticides, leaf shine or fertilizer.
• Pick up fallen leaves and petals from the floor and cage tray.
• Supervise every minute of time out of the cage.

See household dangers for birds for fumes, metals and other risks.

Planting an Aviary

Living plants make an aviary more natural, but birds will strip them, so they need to be safe and tough. Ask an avian vet or an experienced local aviary keeper which plants they trust for your species and climate, and plant outside the mesh where you can, so birds get shade and shelter without eating the plant. Check that nothing poisonous grows next to the aviary where leaves can fall or poke through. See outdoor aviaries.

If Your Bird Eats a Plant

1. Move your bird away from the plant and remove any pieces from its beak and cage.
2. Call your vet straight away, or an emergency vet out of hours. Some countries have animal poison lines, such as the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center and Pet Poison Helpline in the US and Animal PoisonLine in the UK (these may charge a fee).
3. Take the plant, or a photo and its label, so the vet knows what was eaten.

If you think your bird has eaten something poisonous: call your vet now. For any medicines, see your vet or a pet supply store with trained staff. Small birds can become ill very quickly, so don't wait for signs.