Leslie Massey
Birds are known to eat berries and other fruits that are poisonous to humans, such as poison ivy berries and pokeberries. While these berries are toxic to humans, birds are not sensitive to the compounds that cause irritation and poisoning in people. In Australia, native birds are at risk of poisoning from the use of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticide poisons, which have been found in studies on dead birds, including powerful owls and wedge-tailed eagles. Additionally, some Australian birds, such as the brush bronzewing pigeon, have been found to be poisonous themselves, likely due to the consumption of toxic seeds or insects.
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What You'll Learn
- Brush bronzewing pigeons are toxic from eating the seeds of the Gastrolobium plant
- Australian birds are at risk from rat poison, which is widely available in the country
- Some berries poisonous to humans are not poisonous to birds, including poison ivy berries
- The hooded pitohui is a poisonous bird that feeds on insects and berries
- The first research on toxic birds was published in 1992, finding toxins in feathers and tissue
Brush bronzewing pigeons are toxic from eating the seeds of the Gastrolobium plant
The brush bronzewing pigeon, a member of the Columbidae family, is native to Australia. These birds are identifiable by their iridescent bronze plumage and are found in woodlands and forests throughout the country. They are most commonly spotted near Gastrolobium trees, which produce seeds that they feed on. The Gastrolobium is a flowering and toxic plant species that is found in some parts of Australia. The brush bronzewing pigeon has adapted to be tolerant of the toxins in the seeds, which contain a high concentration of organically bound fluorine. This adaptation protects them from predators throughout their lives.
The toxicity of the brush bronzewing pigeon has been linked to the decline and extinction of some Australian mammals, particularly after consuming these pigeons. There are numerous historical accounts of domestic dogs and cats being poisoned after consuming the remains of these pigeons. The pigeons' adaptation to the toxic Gastrolobium seeds has provided them with a chemical defence mechanism against predators.
The Gastrolobium plant is toxic to introduced species, such as cats and dogs, due to its production of fluoroacetate. This toxicity is considered beneficial to the survival of native mammal biodiversity in regions like south-west Western Australia, where there is a high number of conservation-listed marsupials. The toxic plants help to buffer the impact of introduced predators by making native fauna toxic to them.
The brush bronzewing pigeon's tolerance to the Gastrolobium plant's toxins is an interesting example of how birds can adapt to their environment and use toxins to their advantage for protection. This adaptation has contributed to the survival of the brush bronzewing pigeon species in Australia.
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Australian birds are at risk from rat poison, which is widely available in the country
While some fruits are poisonous to humans, they are not harmful to birds. For instance, the berries on poison ivy, which can cause serious allergic reactions in people, are a food source for gray catbirds. However, Australian birds are facing a different kind of threat: rat poison.
Second-generation anticoagulant rodenticide poisons (SGARs) are easily accessible in Australia, available for purchase in supermarkets, hardware shops, and online. These poisons are dangerous not only to the targeted rats and mice but also to non-target animals, including native birds, other wildlife, and even pets. Since SGARs don't cause immediate death, poisoned rodents can become easy prey for birds, which then ingest the poison themselves. This secondary poisoning has been found to be lethal to birds, with dangerous levels of SGARs detected in studies on dead Australian birds, including powerful owls, southern boobooks, wedge-tailed eagles, and tawny frogmouths, among others.
The availability of SGARs in Australia poses a significant risk to the country's birdlife, with BirdLife Australia, a non-profit organization advocating for native bird conservation, leading the charge to raise awareness about this issue. They have developed resources for veterinarians and the public to address the dangers of SGARs and promote safer alternatives. A survey of Australian vets between September 2021 and January 2022 revealed the extent of the problem, with more than 90% having treated pets for poisoning from commonly available anti-coagulant rodenticide products.
Despite the known risks, the sale of SGARs remains unregulated in Australia, unlike in the US, Canada, and the EU, where retail sales have been restricted. Local councils across Australia are taking action, with many moving away from using SGARs, and BirdLife Australia is urging consumers and retailers to do the same. They are also calling on the Australian government to implement federal regulations to ban the domestic sale of SGARs, making them accessible only to licensed professionals.
It is crucial to address this issue to protect Australia's native birds and prevent the unintended poisoning of wildlife and pets. By advocating for safer alternatives and supporting initiatives like BirdLife Australia's campaign, we can help reduce the risks associated with rat poison and ensure the well-being of our feathered friends.
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Some berries poisonous to humans are not poisonous to birds, including poison ivy berries
Many fruits that are poisonous to humans are not poisonous to birds. This includes the white berries found on poison ivy, which are toxic to humans due to the urushiol oil they contain. However, birds, such as the Gray Catbird, Yellow-rumped warbler, and woodpeckers, are immune to the effects of urushiol and can safely eat these berries. Other wild fruits like pokeberry, holly, and Virginia creeper are also poisonous to humans but not to birds.
Poison ivy is a plant that is widely recognised and feared by humans due to its ability to cause allergic reactions and rashes. The plant is characterised by its distinctive leaves, which are made up of three leaflets, and its shiny appearance on upright stalks. In the summer, poison ivy leaves are green, but they turn red or fall off in late October, leaving the vine exposed with bunches of whitish berries. These berries are a valuable food source for birds during the fall and winter months when insects become scarce.
While poison ivy is harmful to humans, it is important for the survival of many bird species. Songbirds, including robins and chickadees, consume the small whitish-yellow berries of poison ivy, helping to spread the seeds over large areas. This contributes to the rapid spread of poison ivy plants, which can sprout from seeds that pass through birds and land on fertile or disturbed soil.
To minimise the risk of poison ivy exposure, it is recommended to learn to recognise the plant and avoid it. Additionally, it is important to be cautious during the spring and summer months, as this is when poison ivy typically sprouts and can be a potential hazard for bare hands and feet.
Although poison ivy is dangerous to humans, it is beneficial to birds, who are unaffected by its toxic compounds. By understanding this difference in sensitivity, humans can take appropriate measures to protect themselves while also promoting bird-friendly environments. This includes planting native fruit bushes and advocating for wildlife-friendly gardening practices in public green spaces.
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The hooded pitohui is a poisonous bird that feeds on insects and berries
The hooded pitohui is a highly toxic bird species, first documented as such in 1989 by a biologist in New Guinea. Its feathers and skin produce a toxin previously found only in poison dart frogs. This toxin, known as batrachotoxin, is a potent neurotoxic steroidal alkaloid that can lead to paralysis, cardiac arrest, and even death in high doses. The hooded pitohui is believed to acquire this toxin from its diet of small melyrid beetles, fruits, seeds, and invertebrates.
The hooded pitohui is a member of the Pitohui genus, which is a common name derived from the Papuan term for "rubbish bird," referring to its inedibility. The species name, "dichrous," originates from the Ancient Greek word "dikrous," meaning "two-coloured." This name suits the bird's black feathers on its wings, tails, and head, and its orange and reddish-brown feathers on its belly and back.
The toxicity of the hooded pitohui is well-known to local hunters, who avoid it. The bird is also known for its powerful beak and dark red eyes. Its diet includes insects and berries, with scientists believing that its diet is associated with the toxin homoBTX, which gives the bird a bad taste. This toxin is present on the bird's skin, feathers, and dander, with the highest concentration found on its breast, leg, and belly feathers.
The hooded pitohui is a social bird, living in family groups and often joining or leading mixed-species foraging flocks. It is a cooperative breeder, with family groups working together to protect the nest and feed the young. The hooded pitohui is currently not at risk of extinction, with stable population numbers.
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The first research on toxic birds was published in 1992, finding toxins in feathers and tissue
The first research on toxic birds was published in 1992 by Dumbacher et al. This research found traces of the neurotoxin homobatrachotoxin, a steroid alkaloid, in the feathers and body tissue of several New Guinea passerine bird species of the genus Pitohui and Ifrita. Before this discovery, the toxins of the passerine birds of New Guinea had only been found in three species of poison dart frogs in Western Colombia.
The 1992 study suggested that these bird species obtained toxins from their diet, particularly beetles, as they were found to be a pivotal food source. The presence of toxins in the internal organs, skin, and feathers indicated that the toxins were not applied topically. The function of these toxins in the birds was initially thought to be a chemical deterrent to predators such as snakes and hawks. However, some researchers cautioned that this suggestion was premature, as the levels of batrachotoxins were significantly lower than in poison dart frogs, which use toxins for defence.
Further research on the hooded pitohui, a species within the Pitohui genus, revealed that the toxins in their skin, feathers, and other tissues were derived from their diet. The highest concentration of toxins was found on the bird's breast, leg, and belly feathers. The hooded pitohui's diet includes insects and berries, and the toxin homoBTX, which causes a bad taste, is believed to be derived from their diet.
The occurrence of batrachotoxins in muscle, viscera, and deep skin regions suggests that birds may sequester these toxins, possibly from microorganisms, in a manner similar to how pufferfish obtain tetrodotoxin from bacteria in their skin. This ability to sequester poisons is thought to have evolved in particular avian lineages, such as the Pitohui and Ifrita, and may provide a chemical defence against predators and parasites.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no clear evidence of Australian birds eating poison berries, but some birds in Australia do eat poisonous plants and insects. For example, the brush bronzewing pigeon, which is found in Tasmania, Western Australia, Victoria, Queensland, and New South Wales, eats the seeds of the Gastrolobium plant, which contains high levels of fluorine.
Yes, some bird species can eat berries that are poisonous to humans, such as poison ivy berries, pokeberry, holly, and Virginia creeper.
Birds are not sensitive to the compounds in the berries that are irritating or poisonous to humans.
