The leaves of the avocado plant contain persin, a fatty acid-like substance that kills fungus in the plant.When ingested by a bird, this substance may cause heart damage, respiratory difficulty, weakness, and even sudden death.While certain types of avocado have been safely consumed by some bird species, its hard to know which types of avocado will affect which species.It is also unclear how much avocado a pet bird would have to eat to be affected.Skip the dip, and offer your bird a carrot stick or pea pod.We all love caffeinated beverages, such as coffee, tea, and soft drinks, because they taste great, stimulate us, and wake us up.We might think of offering sip of these tasty beverages to our pet birds, but even a sip or two of these drinks can be toxic to our feathered companions.Caffeine can increase heart rate, induce arrhythmias and hyperactivity, and even cause cardiac arrest in birds.So, avoid the caffeinated products, and opt for water or an occasional taste of fruit juice for your thirsty bird.However, even in very small amounts, chocolate can be toxic to birds.Chocolate contains both theobromine and caffeine which can cause vomiting and diarrhea, increase heart rate, result in hyperactivity, induce tremors and seizures, and even cause death in birds.So, the next time youre tempted to share an M&M or Hersheys Kiss with your birdie buddy, offer him a piece of sugary fruit, like a mango, papaya, or grape, instead.SALT A dash here and a dash there.Many of us casually add this loved condiment to all sorts of foods without thinking.We also love salty chips, popcorn, pretzels, and crackers.But, just as too much salt isnt good for us, it also isnt good for our birds, and even a little bit is potentially toxic to a small bird.Even one salty chip or pretzel can upset the electrolyte and fluid balance in a birds tiny body, leading to excessive thirst, dehydration, kidney failure, and death.So, the next time you want to offer your bird a salty treat, choose a bite or two of unsalted popcorn or pretzels or a low-salt cracker, instead.Excessive ingestion of these foods also can lead to obesity and all the health problems that accompany this condition.The same processes occur in birds, and certain bird species, such as Amazon and Quaker parrots, are prone to developing high cholesterol and triglyceride levels and subsequent coronary artery disease.Therefore, just as we should limit consumption of high-fat foods, so should birds.Birds can have an occasional bite of lean, cooked meat, but they should not be offered heaping quantities of these fat-filled items, especially if they are small relative to the portion size.Birds love nuts, but one unsalted almond or walnut every day is plenty for a medium-sized bird such as an African gray parrot.Larger birds that eat more fat in the wild, such as macaws, may have a few nuts a day, while smaller ones, such as cockatiels and budgies, should be offered no more than a few slivers of almond or a piece of walnut every day.