1. Avocado
Every part of the avocado contains persin, which is bad news for birds. This fruit contains unhealthy fats and can cause a range of cardiac toxicity in birds, especially smaller species. Best option: a carrot stick!
2. Coffee
Caffeine-disturbing coffee is the worst - imagine how terrible it must be for a bird with a tiny heart! Caffeine in any form is unhealthy for birds, especially that found in coffee, tea and soft drinks. Best option: plenty of refreshing water !
3. Chocolate
Okay, almost everyone knows this: don't give chocolate to your pets! Theobromine and caffeine are toxic to birds and are particularly harmful when ingested through chocolate. A better option: a slice of banana!
4. Onions
Green, red, white... If it's an onion, it's not from us. Onions, both raw and concentrated powder, have been found to cause severe toxicity in birds that can be fatal. No, thank you! Best choice: A cube of mango!
5. Apple seeds.
Although some birds love apples as a treat, it's important to remove the seeds from the apple before feeding. Apple seeds contain cyanide, which is not something we would want to see in any bird's diet. A better option: a well-washed sprout!
6. Savoury snacks
There are no barbecue chips in nature and certainly shouldn't be in your bird's digestive system. Although salt is not inherently toxic to birds, it should never be ingested in high doses like humans do with their salty snacks. Best option: an unseasoned cooked pasta dish!
7. Foods with high fat content
Just like salt, excessive amounts of high-fat foods - such as eggs, sunflower seeds, and fatty nuts like cashews - may not be good choices for a bird. This can cause lethargy, unhealthy weight gain and heart problems in birds. A better option: some cooked beans!
8. Fruit pits.
Birds love fruit, but the pits found in fruits like plums, cherries, apricots and peaches contain cyanide! Always make sure to remove fruit pits and discard them so your bird doesn't have the opportunity to find a new toy to chew on. Best choice: some melon!
9. Garlic
The toxicity found in garlic is well-studied in dogs and cats, and birds are no different. Just like onions, garlic can cause serious health problems in birds almost immediately. Best option: some unsalted nuts!
10. What you had for dinner
If you didn't eat a generous portion of nutritious seeds and vegetables or fruit, what you just ate is probably not a good treat for your bird. It's important that you never get into the habit of letting your bird try foods that can endanger its health. Best option: a diet prescribed by your trusted avian veterinarian.