Foods to NEVER Feed your bird

·         Coffee / Caffeinated beverages - Coffee, soda, tea and other caffeinated beverages are extremely hazardous to your bird's health. Caffeine causes cardiac malfunction in birds and is linked to increased heartbeat, arrhythmia, hyperactivity and cardiac arrest. Share some fruit or vegetable juice with your bird instead.

·         Chocolate (toxic) - We all love chocolate but this is a definite treat NOT to share with your bird. They get what is known as "chocolate poisoning" which first will affect the bird's digestive system and cause vomiting and diarrhea. As the condition advances, their central nervous system is affected, causing seizures and eventually death.

·         The pits of most fruits, such as plums, peaches, apricots, and nectarines, contain cyanide. Cyanogenic glycosides are enzyme inhibitors that cause nausea, vomiting, and eventually coma

·         Raw Beans: Many raw beans contain a trypsin inhibitor that interferes with protein metabolism; as well as hemaglutin (another toxin). To avoid exposure, make sure to thoroughly cook any beans that you choose to share with your bird.  Sprouted beans are fine.

·         Eggplant, potato, tomato leaves, and green potatoes. Their leaves contain alkaloids that are poisonous for birds. Symptoms of ingestion in a bird include vomiting, diarrhea, and difficulty breathing.

·         Avocado: The toxin persin is mostly found in the leaves, rind, and bark from avocado trees. However, even the fruit should be off-limits for pet birds. Persin poisoning causes respiratory distress and heart failure.  Keep all avocado products, including guacamole, away from your bird. The skin and pit of avocados have been known to cause cardiac distress and eventually heart failure in pet birds.

·         Nutmeg contains a narcotic, myristicin, that can cause dizziness, nausea, and vomiting in birds.

·         Rhubarb leaves contain high concentrations of oxalic acid, an intestinal irritant. Large doses are fatal.

·         Tobacco contains the poisonous alkaloid, nicotine. Birds that ingest tobacco leaves suffer vomiting, diarrhea, seizures and other symptoms.

·         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.

·         Onions - hile 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 hemolytic anemia, which is followed by respiratory distress and eventual death.