10 Common Plants That Are Toxic to Birds By Alyson Kalhagen Alyson Kalhagen Alyson Kalhagen is an avian expert and writer with more than 10 years of combined professional experience as a veterinary technician and manager of a chain of successful pet stores. Her specialty is in avian behavior and socialization. Alyson owns several birds and has been featured in Bird Talk Magazine. Learn more about The Spruce Pets' Editorial Process Updated on 03/07/26 Reviewed by Natasha Diehl Reviewed by Natasha Diehl Dr. Diehl is a passionate veterinarian pursuing specialty medicine with over 6 years' experience with exotic pets. She now works with a team of other experienced vets to provide the best advice and care for their clients' pets. Learn more about The Spruce Pets' Veterinary Review Board Credit: Elena Gonzalez Hontoria / Getty Images Key Takeaways Many common houseplants, including lilies, ivy, and philodendrons, are highly toxic to pet birds and can cause severe health issues.Symptoms of plant poisoning in birds include vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, and excessive salivation; immediate veterinary care is crucial.Prevention is key—bird owners should familiarize themselves with toxic plants and avoid keeping them in their homes. People who own parrots and other pet birds must be careful regarding the types of plants they allow in their homes, as many common houseplants are highly toxic to birds. The level of toxicity depends on factors such as the type of plant, the bird's size, and the quantity consumed. Gastrointestinal upset is a common indication of potential poisoning, which can be fatal. If you suspect your bird has ingested something toxic, contact your veterinarian or a poison helpline immediately. Prevention is crucial, so familiarize yourself with toxic plants to keep your bird safe. 01 of 10 Amaryllis Amaryllis flowers are beautiful, but toxic to people and pets. Credit: Johner Images / Getty Images Growing amaryllis from bulb to flower can be a fun indoor gardening experience, but it will put your pet bird at risk. The plant, including the bulb, is toxic to birds and other pets. Ingesting it can result in vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, excessive salivation and more. 02 of 10 Daffodil Credit: honey_and_milk / Getty Images Daffodils are popular, cheery spring flowers, but they can spell trouble for pet birds. These flowers contain the chemical lycorine, which can be highly toxic or even deadly depending on the amount ingested. It can cause severe gastrointestinal issues and seizures in birds and other animals. 03 of 10 Holly Credit: John Paul Endicott / Flickr / CC BY 2.0 Holly is a great decoration for holiday festivities, but its leaves and berries are poisonous to birds. Because the berries might look like a tasty snack for many birds, opt for synthetic holly in your holiday decorations to keep your pet healthy and safe. 04 of 10 Ivy Credit: Andy Miller / Getty Images Lush, green ivy is a popular decoration in many homes. While it does add a beautiful accent to a room, several types of ivy—including the common English ivy—can be deadly to any pet birds who share your home. It can cause gastrointestinal issues such as vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea as well as hypersalivation. Continue to 5 of 10 below 05 of 10 Lilies Peace Lily. Credit: chefranden / photopin / CC There are many types of lilies, all beautiful and popular in floral arrangements. But bird owners should remove any lilies—including peace lilies—from the areas where their pets reside. Lillies can cause severe irritation to a bird's mouth, excess salivation, and gastrointestinal signs like vomiting. 06 of 10 Mistletoe Credit: Chiara Benelli / Getty Images Another popular holiday plant, mistletoe also can be deadly to pet birds. All parts of the plant can cause mild to moderate gastrointestinal upset, including vomiting, diarrhea, weakness/depression, and anorexia if birds ingest it. 07 of 10 Morning Glory Credit: Mai Ermin / Getty Images The beautiful flowers of this popular vine are pleasant to look at, but it poses a serious threat to your pet bird's health. Be especially careful if you acquire morning glory seeds for planting, as they contain a dangerous chemical similar to LSD. 08 of 10 Philodendron Credit: Rfisher27 / Getty Images Philodendrons are common houseplants whose foliage can add a jungle vibe to your home, but they're not safe for birds. All parts of the plant are toxic and can cause serious irritation to a bird's mouth, difficulty swallowing and breathing, and vomiting, among other symptoms. If large amounts are ingested, it can even lead to coma and death. Continue to 9 of 10 below 09 of 10 Poinsettia Credit: DigiPub / Getty Images These beautiful plants are often the centerpiece of holiday festivities. But if you own birds, you might want to opt for a safer decoration. Poinsettias not only are poisonous to birds—causing gastrointestinal issues, blistering, excess salivation, skin irritation, and other serious health problems—but they can make other pets and people sick, too. 10 of 10 Shamrock Shamrocks, a symbol of St. Patrick's Day. Credit: Unsplash You might think having a shamrock plant will bring a little luck into your home—but not for your bird. These houseplants are highly toxic to birds, along with cats, dogs, and other animals. They can cause tremors and excessive salivation, among other health issues. If you suspect your pet is sick, call your vet immediately. For health-related questions, always consult your veterinarian, as they have examined your pet, know the pet's health history, and can make the best recommendations for your pet. Explore more: Parrots & Pet Birds Pet Bird Health & Wellness Sources The Spruce Pets uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Household Hazards for Pet Birds. Merck Veterinary Manual. Gwaltney-Brant, Sharon M. Chapter 39 - Christmastime Plants. Editor(s): Michael E. Peterson, Patricia A. Talcott, Small Animal Toxicology (Third Edition), W.B. Saunders, 2013, Pages 499-511. doi:10.1016/B978-1-4557-0717-1.00039-9 Kretzing, Sascha. Abraham, Getu et al. Dose-dependent emetic effects of the Amaryllidaceous alkaloid lycorine in beagle dogs. Toxicon, vol 57, no 1, Pages 117-124, 2011. doi:10.1016/j.toxicon.2010.10.012 Household Hazards. American Veterinary Medical Association. 17 Plants Poisonous to Pets. American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Lightfoot, Teresa & Yeager, Julie. Pet Bird Toxicity and Related Environmental Concerns. The veterinary clinics of North America. Exotic animal practice, 11, 229-59, vi, 2006. doi:10.1016/j.cvex.2008.01.006 Nowak, Julia et al. Identification and determination of ergot alkaloids in Morning Glory cultivars. Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry vol. 408,12 (2016): 3093-102. doi:10.1007/s00216-016-9322-5 Philodendron Fact Sheet. Clemson University Extension Home and Garden Information Center. Shamrock. Animal Poison Control Center.