Budgerigar Health
There are many surprising things that are not safe for budgerigars or parrots in general. Here is a list of common everyday foods, pet toys, and environmental factors that are not good for your budgie!
Environment
Even if your budgie isn't free-flying it's important to know what things aren't safe to have in your home and in the air with your bird's delicate lungs.
  • Aerosols
  • Teflon pans
  • Scented candles, incense
  • Some household plants
  • Cigarette smoke
  • Self-cleaning ovens
Foods
  • Avocado 
  • Chocolate
  • Caffeine
  • Onion & garlic
  • Fruit pits & apple seeds
  • Xylitol
  • Dairy
    They cannot digest it properly
  • Alcohol
  • Carbonated drinks
  • Mushroom/fungi
  • Nutmeg
  • Dates
  • Eggplant
    Especially the green parts
  • Beans
    Many raw beans are toxic, best to avoid.
  • Rhubarb
  • Raw potatoes
  • Green tomatoes
    Ripe red tomatoes are OK
Toys
  • Zinc
    Metal birds toys are regularly galvanised with zinc to stop rusting. Electro-galvanised zinc is safe – the surface will look shiny.

    If the surface is more dull, it's likely been hot-dipped in zinc, which that can flake off and poison your bird.
  • Lead
    It's less likely to come across nowadays, but lead can still sometimes be found in bells and bell clappers. If it can be easily bent it is probably lead.
  • Rusted iron
    Any metal toys with rust are toxic.
  • Moving parts
    Be cautious that the moving toy parts cannot accidentally trap the budgie. Things like spring-loaded fasteners, snap hooks (like on a dog's leash) and key-ring rings.
  • Small hoops, including chain links
    A hoop that is too small could trap a budgie head, foot, beak, toe, or tongue. Bigger is better.
  • Some woods
    Not all woods are safe to make perches and toys from.

    Budgie World has a comprehensive list of woods and other plants that are toxic to budgies, and those that are safe.
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