Foods, safe and harmful for Parrotlets and other info on plants, wood & etc
Whole cereals and whole grains:
spray millet, amaranth, barley, couscous, flax, whole-grain pastas, oat, quinoa (truly a fruit but used
as a cereal), whole-wheat, wild rice, whole rice's.
Edible flowers:
carnations, chamomile, chives, dandelion, daylily, eucalyptus, fruit tree blossoms, herb blossoms,
hibiscus, honeysuckle, impatiens, lilac, nasturtiums, pansies, passion flower (Pass flora), roses,
sunflowers, tulips, violets.
More Safe (and tasty) flowers
ACACIA
BOTTLE BRUSH
BOUGAINVILLEA
GREVILLIA
GUM (EUCALYPTUS - ANY VARIETY - FLOWER BUDS CAN ALSO BE FED)
HIBISCUS
Note: that the leaves of some of these plants are poisonous to parrots.
Greens and/or weeds:
mainly ; bok-choi, broccoli and/or cauliflower leaves, cabbage leaves, collard greens, dandelion
leaves, kelp, mustard leaves, seaweeds, spirulina, water cress.
occasionally amaranth leaves, beet leaves, Carrabolla (star fruit), chard, parsley, spinach & turnip
leaves. All of these feature high oxalic acid contents that induces production of calcium oxalates
(crystals/stones) by binding calcium and other trace minerals present in foods and goods with which
they're ingested, possibly leading to calcium deficiencies and/or Hypocalcemia in minor cases, liver
or other internal organ damage or failure in more severe cases.
Fruit: (except avocados which are toxic): all apple varieties, banana, all berry varieties, all citrus
varieties, grapes, kiwi, mango, melons, nectarine, papaya, peach, all pear varieties, plum, star-fruit.
Pits and seeds from every citrus and drupe species must always be discarded as they are
intoxicating. However, achene's and tiny seeds from pseudo and true berries (bananas, blueberries,
elderberries, eggplants, persimmons, pomegranates, raspberries, strawberries, tomatoes) are all
acceptable.
More Safe (and tasty) fruits
Apricot
Banana
Blackberry
Blackcurrant
Blood orange
Blueberry
Cantaloupe (known as Rock melon) melon
Coconut - fresh, dried or juice
Cherry
Cranberry
Dragon fruit
Dried dates
Figs (fresh)
Gooseberries
Goji berry - dried
Grape
Guava
Honeydew melon
Kiwifruit
Lychee (Litchi)
Mandarin
Mango (without skin)
Melon
Mulberry
Nectarine
Orange
Passion fruit
Papaya
Peach
Pear
Pineapple
Plum
Pomegranate
Quince
Raspberry
Red Currants
Strawberry
Tangerine
Yellow Plum
NOTE: Make sure that all apple, pear, citrus, and stone fruit seeds/pits are removed before letting
your birds eat the fresh fruits. And make sure you wash all fruits and vegetable thoroughly. It's
always best to go organic for your parrots to stay away from pesticides. The chemicals they feed the
plants will harm you and your birds.
Legumes: almonds, beans, lentils, peas, nuts and tofu.
Grain and/or Legume sprouts:
adzuki beans, alfalfa beans, buckwheat, lentils, mung beans, pinto beans, red kidney beans, sesame
seeds, sunflower seeds. Caution with only lima bean and navy bean sprouts which are toxic. Red
kidney beans must be thoroughly cooked, as uncooked red kidney beans are toxic.
Vegetables: (except uncooked potatoes, uncooked onions and all mushrooms)
Artichoke
Beans, rinsed and cooked only
Beets
Beetroot
Bell Peppers
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Carrot
Cauliflower
Celery stalks
Chinese Cabbage
Corn (milky & soft)
Cucumber
Endive
Fennel
Green Beans
Guava
Hot Peppers (chili)
Kale
Parsley (small/infrequent quantities only)
Peas (Snow and Sugar Snap to be given pod and all)
Potato (cooked)
Pumpkin (and seeds)
Radish Red Beet (fresh)
Radicchio
Romaine Lettuce
Silver beet
Spinach
Sprouts and micro-greens (grown fresh or bought fresh) i.e. alfalfa, snow pea, cress, radish, mung
bean, lentils, chickpea.
Sweet Potato (cooked only)
Turnips
Yams (cooked only)
Zucchini
If you don't see it on this list, Look it up online to be sure its safe.
Non-toxic Foliage:
ACACIA
ALOE
AFRICAN VIOLET
BABY'S TEARS
BAMBOO
BEGONIA
BOSTON FERN
BOUGAINVILLEA
CHICKWEED
CHRISTMAS CACTUS
CISSUS (KANGAROO VINE)
COLEUS
CORN PLANT
CRABAPPLE
DAFFODIL (bulbs are poisonous)
DANDELION
DOGWOOD
DONKEY TAIL
DRACAENA VARIETIES
FERNS: (BIRD'S NEST, BOSTON, MAIDENHAIR)
FIGS: (CREEPING, RUBBER, FIDDLE LEAF, LAUREL LEAF)
GARDENIA
GRAPE IVY
GREVILLIA
HEN AND CHICKENS
IMPATIENS
JADE PLANT
KALANCHOE
MAGNOLIA
MARIGOLDS
MONKEY PLANT
NASTURTIUM
NATAL PLUM
NORFOLK ISLAND PINE
ORCHIDS
PALMS: (ACAI, ARECA, DATE, FAN, LADY, PARLOUR, HOWEIA, KENTIA, PHOWNIX, SAGO)
PEPPEROMIA
PETUNIA
PITTOSPORUM
PRAYER PLANT
PURPLE PASSION
ROSE
RUBBER PLANT
SCHEFFLERA
SENSITIVE PLANT
SNAKE PLANT
SPIDER PLANT
SWEDISH IVY
THISTLE
TULIP (bulbs only are toxic)
VELVET NETTLE
WANDERING JEW
WAX PLANT
WHITE CLOVER
YUCCA
ZEBRA PLANT
ZINNIA
Safe spices:
Cinnamon
Pepper
Chili
Garlic powder (limited quantities and must be 'unsalted')
Ginger
Vanilla
Cloves
Parrot species (including Parrotlets) are herbivores. Consequently, they should be fed vegetarian
diets that are ideally supplemented with vegetal proteins. Produced by the combination of any type
of whole grain/cereal with any type of legume/pulse. Eggs (hard-boiled and/or scrambled) are the
only appropriately healthy source of animal proteins. Mostly for birds in either breeding, growing,
molting and/or recovering conditions. High levels of proteins (most particularly animal proteins) is
unhealthy for Parrotlets and any other Parrot species living under any alternate conditions (i.e. nonbreeding, pets).
Harmful Foods:
This is a short list of harmful foods for birds, obviously there are other items and you need to do
your homework before you share any foods with your bird.
*Chocolate
*Apple Seeds
*Fruit seeds in general are bad. To be safe give your bird NO fruit seeds.
*Avocado or Guacamole
*Onions
*Alcohol
*Mushrooms
*Tomato Leaves
*Salt - Be careful with foods that have salt. My neighbor gave her Amazon a piece of pepperoni off
of her pizza and the bird got ill and passed away the next day. She had an autopsy done and the vet
told her the bird died from super high sodium levels, She claims that she did not regularly give her
bird any human food and he only had one large piece of pepperoni the night before. Over the years I
have heard other stories about birds getting very sick from to much salt.
*Caffeine (in any form)
*Dried Brown Beans (Fully Cooked Beans Are Safe)
*Any High Fat Food
Plants toxic for birds: Save a birds life by posting a link to this page in your Facebook group or other
bird club sites.
ARUM LILY
AMARYLLIS
ARALIA
ARROWHEAD VINE
AUTUMN CROCUS
AUSTRALIAN FLAMETREE
AUSTRALIAN UMBRELLA TREE
AVOCADO
AZALEA
BANEBERRY
BEANS: (CASTOR, HORSE, FAVA, BROAD, GLORY, SCARLET RUNNER, MESCAL, NAVY, PREGATORY
BABY'S BREATH
BIRD OF PARADISE
BISHOP'S WEED
BLACK LAUREL
BLACK LOCUST
BLEEDING HEART OR DUTCHMAN'S BREECHES
BLOODROOT
BLUEBONNET
BLUEGREEN ALGAE
BOXWOO
BRACKEN FERN
BUCKTHORN
BULB FLOWERS:(AMARYLLIS, DAFFODIL, NARCISSUS, HYACINTH & IRIS)
BURDOCK
BUTTERCUP
CACAO
CAMEL BUSH
CASTOR BEAN
CALADIUM
CANA LILY
CARDINAL FLOWER
CHALICE (TRUMPET VINE)
CHERRY TREE
CHINA BERRY TREE
CHRISTMAS CANDLE
CLEMATIS (VIRGINIA BOWER)
CLIVIA
COCKLEBUR
COFFEE (SENNA)
COFFEE BEAN (RATTLEBUSH, RATTLE BOX & COFFEEWEED)
CORAL PLANT
CORIANDER
CORNCOCKLE
COYOTILLO
COWSLIP
CUTLEAF PHILODENDRON
DAFFODIL (BULB)
DAPHNE
DATURA STRAMONIUM (ANGEL'S TRUMPET)
DEATH CAMUS
DELPHINIUM
DEVIL'S IVY
DIEFFENBACHIA (DUMB CANE)
EGGPLANT leaves
ELDERBERRY
ELEPHANT EAR (TARO)
ENGLISH IVY
ERGOT
EUCALYPTUS (DRIED, DYED OR TREATED IN FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS)
EUONYMUS (SPINDLE TREE)
EUPHORBIA CACTUS
FALSE HELLEBORE
FLAME TREE
FELT PLANT (MATERNITY, AIR & PANDA PLANTS)
FIG (WEEPING)
FIRE THORN
FLAMINGO FLOWER
FOUR O'CLOCK
FOXGLOVE
GYPSOPHILA PANICULATA - Sap of plant
GLOTTIDIUM
GOLDEN CHAIN
GRASS: (JOHNSON, SORGHUM, SUDAN & BROOM CORN)
GROUND CHERRY
HEATHS: (KALMIA, LEUCOTHO, PEIRES, RHODODENDRON, MTN. LAUREL, BLACK LAUREL,
ANDROMEDA & AZALEA)
HELIOTROPE
HEMLOCK: (POISON & WATER)
HENBANE
HOLLY
HONEYSUCKLE
HORSE CHESTNUT
HORSE TAIL
HOYA
HYACINTH
HYDRANGEA
IRIS
IVY: (ENGLISH & OTHERS)
JACK-IN-THE-PULPIT
JASMINE (JESSAMINE)
JERUSALEM CHERRY
JIMSONWEED
JUNIPER
KY. COFFEE TREE
LANTANA (RED SAGE)
LARKSPUR
LILY OF THE VALLEY
LILY, ARUM
LOBELIA
LOCOWEED (MILK VETCH)
LOCUSTS, BLACK/HONEY
LORDS & LADIES (CUCKOOPINT)
LUPINE
MALANGA
MARIJUANA (HEMP)
MAYAPPLE(MANDRAKE)
MEXICAN BREADFRUIT
MEXICAN POPPY
MILKWEED, COTTON BUSH
MISTLETOE
MOCK ORANGE
MONKSHOOD
MOONSEED
MORNING GLORY
MTN. LAUREL
MUSHROOMS, AMANITA
MYRTLE
NARCISSUS
NETTLES
NIGHTSHADES: (DEADLY, BLACK, GARDEN, WOODY, BITTERSWEET, EGGPLANT leaves, TOMATO stems, vines, and leaves, JERUSALEM CHERRY)
OAK - The wood should be fine, The leaves, bark and root is NOT safe.
OLEANDER
OXALIS
PARSLEY (large quantities)
PEACE LILY
PERIWINKLE
PHILODENDRONS: (SPLIT LEAF, SWISS CHEESE, HEART-LEAF)
PIGWEED
POINCIANA
POINSETTIA
POISON IVY
POISON HEMLOCK
POISON OAK: (WESTERN & EASTERN)
POKEWEED
POTATO SHOOTS
POTHOS
PRIVET
PYRACANTHA
RAIN TREE
RANUNCULUS, BUTTERCUP
RAPE
RATTLEBOX, CROTALARIA
RED MAPLE
RED SAGE (LANTANA)
RHUBARB LEAVES
RHODODENDRONS
ROSARY PEA SEEDS
SAND BOX TREE
SKUNK CABBAGE
SORREL (DOCK)
SNOW DROP
SPURGES: (PENCIL TREE, SNOW-ON-MTN, CANDELABRA, CROWN OF THORNS)
SAGO ‘PALM’
STAR OF BETHLEHEM
SWEET PEA
SWISS CHEESE PLANT (MONSTERA)
TANSY RAGWORT
TOBACCO
TOMATO PLANT (fruit is safe - must remove any green stems or leaves)
TULIP BULB
UMBRELLA PLANT Foods toxic for birds:
1) Chocolate
Chocolate poisoning first affects a bird's digestive system, causing vomiting and diarrhea. As the
condition progresses, the bird's central nervous system is affected, first causing seizures and
eventually death.
2) Apple Seeds
Believe it or not, apples - along with other members of the rose family including cherries, peaches,
apricots, and pears - contain trace amounts of Cyanide within their seeds. While the fruit of the
apple is fine for your bird, be aware that in addition to the poisonous seeds, there may be pesticides
present on the fruit's skin. Be sure to thoroughly cleanse and core any apple pieces that you share
with your bird to avoid exposure to these toxins.
3) Avocado
The skin and pit of this popular fruit had been known to cause cardiac distress and eventual heart
failure in pet bird species. Although there is some debate to the degree of toxicity of avocados, it is
generally advised to adoWhile the use of limited amounts of onion or garlic powders as flavorings is
generally regarded as acceptable, excessive consumption of onions causes vomiting, diarrhea, and a
host of other digestive problems. It has been found that prolonged exposure can lead to a blood
condition called hemolyti anemia, which is followed by respiratory distress and eventual death.
Hemolytic anemia (HEE-moh-lit-ick uh-NEE-me-uh) is a condition in which red blood cells are
destroyed and removed from the bloodstream before their normal lifespan is up.
5) Alcohol Although responsible bird owners would never dream of offering their pet an alcoholic
drink, there have been instances in which free roaming birds have attained alcohol poisoning
through helping themselves to unattended cocktails. Alcohol depresses the organ systems of birds
and can be fatal. Make sure that your bird stays safe by securing him in his cage whenever alcohol is
served in your home.
6) Mushrooms
Mushrooms are a type of fungus, and have been known to cause digestive upset in companion birds.
Caps and stems of some varieties can induce liver failure.
7) Tomato Leaves
Tomatoes, like potatoes and other nightshades, have a tasty fruit that is fine when used as a treat
for your bird. The stems, vines, and leaves, however, are highly toxic to your pet. Make sure that any
time you offer your bird a tomato treat it has been properly cleaned and sliced, with the green parts
removed, so that your bird will avoid exposure to any toxins.
� Salt
While all living beings need regulated amounts of sodium in their systems, too much salt can lead to
a host of health problems in birds, including excessive thirst, dehydration, kidney dysfunction, and
death. Be sure to keep watch over the amount of salty foods your bird consumes.
9) Caffeine
Caffeinated beverages such as soda, coffee, and tea are popular among people - but allowing your
bird to indulge in these drinks can be extremely hazardous. Caffeine causes cardiac malfunction in
birds, and is associated with increased heartbeat, arrhythmia, hyper activity, and cardiac arrest.
Share a healthy drink of pure fruit or vegetable juice with your bird instead - this will satisfy both
your bird's taste buds and nutritional requirements.
10) Dried Beans
Cooked beans are a favorite treat of many birds, but raw, dry bean mixes can be extremely harmful
to your pet. Uncooked beans contain a poison called hemaglutin which is very toxic to birds. To
avoid exposure, make sure to thoroughly cook any beans that you choose to share with your bird.
Other Foods To Avoid
Fatty foods High fat in the diet leads to obesity and may result in lipomas (fatty tumors), lipemia (fat
in the blood), and hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease). Any greasy, oily or otherwise fatty food
should be avoided. Commonly overfed fatty foods include nuts, French fries, crackers, marbled
meat, peanut butter, butter, fried chicken, fried anything etc.
Sugar foods Obviously, frosting is high in sugar and an undesirable foodstuff. Similarly, soda pop,
candy and these types of foods are not recommended.
Dairy Birds lack the digestive enzymes needed to break down milk sugar and milk proteins.
Uncultured milk products such as milk, cream and butter should not be fed but yogurt, cheeses and
dried milk can be supplemented in the diet in moderation (they are also high in fat).
Lettuce A typical filler food, lettuce is low in everything except water. It is not recommended as a
food supplement since it offers little, if anything, for the bird. If leafy foods are desired by your bird,
try feeding spinach, collard greens, tops of bok choy, carrot tops or kale.
Avocado Although higher in fat than other veggies and used in other countries to condition birds for
breeding, avocado has been shown to be toxic in some birds and its feeding is no longer
recommended, as mentioned above in the Toxic Foods list
There are so many things that are really bad for birds, Make sure to look up the food online first
before giving it to your bird. Once the bird takes a bite - it is to late. It is always best to do just a little
research in advance before trying new foods. So in general do not feed your bird anything high in
salt, sugar, and fat. Table salt, cooking spray, donuts, chocolate, etc. should never be fed. Common
toxic foods include avocado and guacamole, caffeine, fruit pits and apple seeds (contain amounts of
cyanide), persimmons, onions (prolonged exposure can lead to a blood condition called hemolytic
anemia), mushrooms (fungi should be avoided at all costs; it causes digestion problems and can
induce liver failure), dried/uncooked beans (contain hemaglutin, a poison toxic to birds), the
stems/vines/leaves of tomatoes (the actual fruit is fine), and eggplant. Different Kinds of Wood Tree Branches:
Birds love to chew, The following kinds of wood should be harmless as long as it has not been
treated with anything:
•Apple/Cherry/Pear tree (Malus spec./Prunus avium or Prunus cereus/Purus spec., respectively)
•Red beech (Fagus sylvatic)
•Mountain ash (Sorbose aucuparia)
•Willow (Salix spec.)
•Hazelnut (Corals Avellino)
•Poplar (Populus spec.)
•Lime tree (Tilia spec.)
•Common ash (Fraxinus excelsior)
•Plane (Platanus spec.
•Elm tree (Ulmus spec.)
•Common horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum)
•Walnut (Juglans regia)
•Alder (Alnus spec.)
•Maple tree (Acer spec.) Do not collect wood, grass or any wild herbs next to very busy roads (high
pollution level!)
Apple Cider Vinegar
AKA: ACV for short
I use Apple Cider Vinegar in my birds drinking water. There are many reports of the great health
benefits. I really have noticed the benefits. My birds colors were brighter, they laid more fertile eggs
and I have had zero illness. One of the really good things I liked about ACV is that it allows the birds
body to absorb more calcium from their everyday regular food. I have had no slow crop issues with
my babies and zero crop issues with the adults. Below I have listed just a couple links to more
information for you.
Note: You must use ACV that contains the mother. (mother = the natural pulp bacteria)
Without the mother you will get no benefits from ACV.
As with all health related treatments, seek the advice from your qualified avian veterinarian before
beginning any home treatments. The apple cider vinegar creates an acidic environment in the crop
which prevents yeast from growing. This treatment also helps to restore the normal intestinal flora.
It lowers the PH of the droppings which discourages bacteria from growing.
Note: You must use ACV that contains the mother. (mother = the natural pulp bacteria)
Without the mother you will get no benefits from ACV.
PLEASE NOTE: HEATED vinegar emits toxic fumes similar to carbon dioxide. Bird owners have lost
their pets by adding vinegar to their dishwashing cycle, or used it to clean coffee machines.
Apple Cider Vinegar Information Sites Vinegar: A Natural Approach to Avian Management
How parrots can benefit from apple cider vinegar pt a "better safe than sorry" attitude toward them
and keep guacamole and other avocado products as far away from pet birds as possible. See les