Can birds eat poppy seeds? If they can, how much is it OK to give them? You probably have a pet bird; they are great to own. There are many reasons why people keep birds and most of the cases their owners think that they can observe them anytime they want. Birds don’t live alone; they live in flocks especially during migration or adaptation. When you notice your bird eating something, there are some facts you should be aware of.
Can Birds Eat Poppy Seeds?
Poppy seeds can be toxic to birds. The seeds contain a substance called opium, which is why they are used for medicinal purposes. Poppy seeds also contain a substance called morphine, which is what produces the drug’s effects in humans and other animals.
The amount of morphine that can enter a bird’s system depends on several factors. These include how much poppy seed is eaten, how much the bird weighs and how long it takes for the seed digestion process to take place.
- Can Birds Eat Poppy Seed Muffins?
Some people like to give their birds muffins made with poppy seeds, but there is no reason to think that this is safe if you don’t feed your bird more than one or two muffins per week. If you want to make sure that your bird doesn’t get into any trouble with poppy seeds, then choose another type of treat instead.
When Can Birds Eat Poppy Seeds?
Is it safe for birds to eat poppy seeds? What about other types of flower seeds?
The short answer is yes, but there are some things you need to know before feeding your bird poppies.
- Poppy Seed Facts
Poppy seeds come from the opium poppy (Papaver somniferous), which is a flowering plant that produces opium and its derivatives like morphine and codeine. Opium is one of the oldest known drugs in the world. It comes from the sap that coats the seed pod’s surface. Like cocaine, heroin, and other drugs derived from plants, it’s a natural substance that can be used by humans either as medicine or as a recreational drug.
However, because they come from a plant that has been used as a drug for thousands of years, many people are wary about letting their pets eat them. In fact, in some countries including Australia and New Zealand, it’s illegal to sell or possess poppy seeds without a license!
Are poppy seeds toxic to birds?
Poppy seeds are toxic to birds, so you should avoid feeding these to your pet birds.
- Poppy Seeds and Birds
Many people enjoy eating poppy seeds as a snack or garnish. However, these tiny little seeds can be toxic to birds if they eat more than a few of them at a time. Poppy seeds contain opium, which is a painkiller that can be addictive in humans.
- Marijuana and Addiction
In addition to being addictive in humans and pets, morphine found in poppy seeds can also cause respiratory depression or even death in birds. The effects of morphine on birds are similar to the effects it has on people: it slows down their breathing rate and heartbeat until they stop breathing altogether (Source: Bird Talk Forum).
- How Much Poppy Seed Is Too Much for Birds?
The number of poppy seed that will kill your bird depends on its weight and how much it eats at one time. The average bird weighs about 100 grams (about 3 oz.), so two or three whole poppy seeds could be lethal to your pet bird if eaten all at once.
Birds Shouldn’t Eat Poppy Seeds Because Of Their High Fat Content.
Poppy seeds are too high in fat, so they can cause avian pancreatitis, a disease that causes inflammation of the pancreas. The condition can be fatal if not treated quickly.
The seeds come from the opium poppy plant, which is used to make the narcotic drug heroin. The seeds contain small amounts of morphine, codeine, and other opiates. But this amount is so small that it is not enough to cause addiction in humans or birds; however, it can still be harmful when ingested in large quantities.
Poppy seed ingestion leads to physical dependence on narcotics and withdrawal symptoms like those seen with people who use heroin or other narcotics for long periods of time.
You may have heard stories about bird owners buying birds from pet stores that have already been fed poppy seeds by previous owners. These birds are often very lethargic and sleepy when they arrive at their new homes.
- The best way to prevent your bird from eating poppy seeds is by not having them around at all.
What to Feed Birds
Birds are very curious creatures, and if you have a bird feeder in your yard, there’s a good chance that you’ll be visited by several different species. Some birds like certain foods more than others, but most birds will eat pretty much anything that’s edible.
- What To Feed Birds
It’s important to learn what foods are safe for wild birds and which foods are dangerous. Here are some of the best things to feed birds:
Seeds – Sunflower seeds are one of the most popular choices for birdseed because they’re so high in fat content, which makes them an excellent source of energy for wild birds. Seeds can also be a great addition to your backyard bird habitat because they provide vital protein and essential fatty acids that wild birds need in their diet. Nuts and fruit should also be included in a healthy feeding regimen.
Grains – Grains like corn and wheat can be fed to wild birds as well as pet parrots. Just make sure that any grains you offer contain no added sugar or salt! It’s best to offer whole grains rather than processed ones because the latter offer little nutritional value compared with their whole counterparts.
- Nuts – Nuts are another great source of protein for wild
Conclusion
As for the question at hand, “will birds eat poppy seeds?” the answer is most likely: yes. And therein lies the danger. Birds could very well become addicted to the poppy seeds, and it may lead them to seek other substances like morphine or heroin.
