Winter is well on its way, and as autumn draws to a close, we’re seeing a lot of seasonal plants die down for the winter. One exception is holly - or to call it by its Latin name, Ilex aquifolium.
This iconic evergreen is commonly used to decorate homes throughout the winter season, the vibrant green leaves and the rich red berries bring a splash of colour to this bleak time of year.
Most people know not to eat holly berries – they are not edible for humans, and are considered to be dangerous if consumed in large quantities, particularly by children. However, if you’ve found your way to this blog, you’re probably wondering whether or not holly is poisonous to birds.
Do Birds Eat Holly Berries?
Many birds exist on a diet of berries and seeds – but what about holly berries?
Interestingly, birds can actually eat many berries that are toxic to other animals, including holly berries. Birds naturally possess a high toxic tolerance, and they just aren’t sensitive to the compounds in the berries that are poisonous to humans. Many birds can safely consume holly berries, including blackbirds, redwings, and thrushes.
There’s an old wives’ tale that if you see a bird eating a berry, it’s safe for humans to eat, but this absolutely isn’t true. Birds consume many plants that are poisonous to humans, holly berries included.
Although holly berries can be a good source of food for birds in the winter, due to the innate toxicity, birds can only safely consume a few at a time. It’s also worth noting that, although many wild birds can safely consume holly berries, they may not be safe for domestic birds.
During the winter months it is vital that birds have a reliable food source, ideally high in fats. While birds can eat holly berries, there are much better foods that birds should be eating this time of year. If you’d like to find out more about good winter feed options, check out our blog What to Feed Birds in Winter.
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If you have any further questions on wild bird feeding in winter – or anything to do with birds for that matter – reach out and contact us today. Our team of experts (including a registered vet!) will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have, and offer their expert guidance on how you can best support your local wildlife.
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Read More: Looking After Pet Birds in Winter
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