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What birds can and cannot eat

19 foods with a verdict for birds specifically, because the answer genuinely differs by species — cats are several times more sensitive to onion than dogs, rabbits cannot vomit at all, and avocado is a mild caution for a dog and lethal for a bird.

If this has already been eaten, ring your vet or an animal poison control line now rather than waiting for signs to appear — for several of these the window in which treatment works closes before the animal looks unwell. Do not try to make the animal sick at home: home emetics are dangerous for corrosive and petroleum substances and for an animal already showing signs, and salt-based ones have themselves proved fatal.

Toxic — treat as an emergency

Food Why Dose known?
Chocolate Small body mass makes even a crumb significant. Yes
Onion, garlic, leek and chives Same oxidative mechanism. Yes
Avocado Genuinely toxic to birds. Persin causes cardiac damage and death, and this is not a myth. No
Alcohol A few drops matter at bird body weights. No
Coffee, tea and energy drinks Same. No

Everything else

Food Verdict Why
Apple In moderation Flesh fine, seeds removed — birds are small enough for the seeds to matter.
Banana Safe Well tolerated and popular.
Carrot Safe Well tolerated.
Blueberries and strawberries Safe Well tolerated.
Watermelon and melon Safe Popular and well tolerated.
Pumpkin Safe Flesh and seeds both fine.
Oranges, lemons and limes In moderation Flesh fine in small amounts.
Bread Risky Filling and nutritionally empty. The classic reason not to feed bread to ducks.
Lettuce and leafy greens Safe Dark leaves are a good staple green.
Broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower Safe Well tolerated and nutritious.
Honey Risky Raw honey can carry botulism spores, which matters more at bird body weights.
Coconut and coconut oil Safe Well tolerated.
Peas, green beans and sweetcorn kernels Safe Good, and popular.
Cinnamon Risky Fine powders are a respiratory hazard for birds.

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