Alcohol
NeverLiver and central nervous system damage at tiny doses relative to body weight.
Can my bird
eat this?
Search a food and get one of three answers, with the reason behind it. No signup, no ads, no scrolling past a life story to reach the list.
General guidance for psittacines and finches. If a bird has eaten something on the never list, treat it as an emergency and call an avian vet.
Apple seeds / stone-fruit pits
NeverContain cyanogenic compounds. The flesh is fine; remove pips and stones.
Avocado
NeverPersin is cardiotoxic to birds. Fatal in small amounts, including the skin and stone.
Caffeine (coffee, tea, cola)
NeverCardiac arrhythmia and hyperactivity leading to collapse.
Chocolate / cocoa
NeverTheobromine and caffeine cause seizures and heart failure. No safe quantity.
Dried / raw beans
NeverRaw legumes contain haemagglutinin. Cooked and cooled beans are safe.
Fruit stones (cherry, peach, plum)
NeverCyanogenic glycosides in the kernel.
Mushrooms
NeverSeveral species cause liver failure, and identification is unreliable. Skip them.
Onion & garlic
NeverSulphur compounds rupture red blood cells, causing haemolytic anaemia.
Rhubarb leaves
NeverOxalic acid. The leaves are toxic; the stalk is not worth the risk either.
Salt / salty snacks
NeverBirds cannot excrete sodium efficiently. Causes kidney damage and dehydration.
Xylitol & sweeteners
NeverRapid hypoglycaemia. Avoid all sugar-free products.
Banana
In moderationHigh sugar. Small pieces occasionally.
Bread
In moderationNo nutritional value. Small amounts of wholegrain at most.
Citrus
In moderationSafe but acidic. Can interfere with iron absorption in susceptible species.
Corn / sweetcorn
In moderationWell liked and high in starch. A treat, not a base food.
Dairy (cheese, yoghurt)
In moderationBirds lack lactase. Tiny amounts of hard cheese or live yoghurt are tolerated.
Grapes
In moderationVery high in sugar. A couple as a reward.
Honey
In moderationBotulism risk in raw honey and very high sugar. Pasteurised, rarely.
Nuts (almond, walnut)
In moderationGood fats for macaws and greys; too rich for cockatiels and budgies.
Peanuts
In moderationAflatoxin risk from mould. Human-grade, in shell, in small amounts only.
Spinach
In moderationOxalates bind calcium. Rotate with kale and other greens rather than feeding daily.
Sunflower seed
In moderationHigh fat. Fine as a training treat, poor as a diet. Fatty liver risk in cockatiels and Amazons.
Tomato
In moderationRipe flesh only, small amounts. Leaves and stems are nightshade and toxic.
Apple
SafeFlesh and skin are excellent. Remove the seeds.
Blueberries
SafeAntioxidants, low sugar relative to other fruit.
Broccoli
SafeFlorets and stalk, raw or lightly steamed. A staple green.
Capsicum / bell pepper
SafeSeeds included. Birds do not register capsaicin, so chillies are safe too.
Carrot
SafeHigh in beta-carotene. Grate or cut into batons; the tops are fine too.
Cooked egg
SafeHard-boiled with shell crushed in. A breeding-season protein staple.
Cuttlebone / mineral block
SafeFree-choice calcium, essential for laying hens.
Kale
SafeCalcium and vitamin K. Rinse well and serve fresh.
Papaya & mango
SafeFlesh only. Excellent for conditioning, high in sugar so not unlimited.
Peas & green beans
SafeFresh or frozen, thawed. Beans must be cooked if dried.
Sprouted seed
SafeHigher in protein and vitamins than dry seed. Rinse twice daily to prevent mould.
Sweet potato
SafeCooked. One of the best vitamin A sources for parrots.
Not in the list. When a food is not listed, treat it as unknown rather than safe: email admin@aviledger.com and we will research it and add it.
The short version
Six things that kill birds, and they are all in your kitchen.
Avocado, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, onion and garlic, and salt. A bird weighing ninety grams has no margin for a mouthful of any of them. Everything else on the never list above is a smaller risk than these six, but none of them is worth taking.
Also worth knowing
Non-stick pansPTFE fumes from an overheated pan kill birds in minutes. Keep birds out of the kitchen entirely.
Aerosols and candlesScented candles, air fresheners and cleaning sprays damage the avian respiratory system at concentrations people cannot smell.
Mouldy seedAspergillus in damp seed or sprouts is one of the commonest killers in an aviary and shows no symptoms until late.
All-seed dietsNothing on the safe list matters if the base diet is sunflower and millet. Fatty liver disease is the slow version of poisoning.
Keep a health record for every bird, not just a diet sheet on the wall.
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