If you enjoy interior plants, if you have a garden it is important for you to know which plants are dangerous to your parrot. Some of them can be very toxic and even deadly if ingested by the curious bird. Knowing the name of each plant in the vicinity, verifying the list of toxic plants will allow you to keep whatever is dangerous out of the reach of the bird or, if the plants are safe, you can let him play with it.
The list of toxic plants is very long; often, common names change from country to country and it may be confusing. The best way to be sure of what plant one talks, is by using its scientific universal name, the one in Latin.
A few websites are listed below to help you find the most obvious toxic plants. The lists are not exhaustive but you will recognize the popular plants found in most homes or gardens. If you can not identify one of your plants, the safe way is to prevent your bird to touch it. Better safe than sorry!
BirdsnWays - Plants Poisonous to Pet birds, Pet Parrots & Exotic Birds - Poisonous trees, bushes
Healthspa - Poisons and Toxins
http://www.avianweb.com/toxicfoods.html
Non toxic plants
When a plant is said to be non toxic it does't mean the bird should ingest it; it simply means the plant won't kill the parrot. Most children's toys are non toxic but it is preferable not to let them eat a handful of plasticine. It is better to keep all plants in an area far from the bird's beak.
The following plants are non toxic for parrots :
- African violets (Saintpaulia spp.)
- Boston fern (Nephrolepsis bostonensis)
- Croton (Codiaeum variegatum)
- Calandula (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana)
- Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
- Camomille (Chamaemelum nobile)
- Gardénia (Gardenia jasminoides)
- Creeping vine (Cissus rhombifolia)
- Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-senensis et autres reliées)
- Honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.)
- Magnolia (Magnolia spp.)
- Pepper mint (Mentha x piperita)
- Pétunia (Petunia spp.)
- Rubber plant (Ficus elastica)
- Zebra plant (Aphelandra squarrosa)
