No. Avocado is one of the most dangerous foods you can give a bird. Every part of the avocado plant, including the fruit flesh, skin, pit, and leaves, contains persin, a fungicidal toxin that is highly poisonous to birds.

Persin damages the heart muscle and surrounding tissue in birds, leading to a condition called myocardial necrosis. It also causes respiratory distress as fluid accumulates around the lungs and heart. Symptoms of avocado toxicity in birds include difficulty breathing, lethargy, fluffed feathers, weakness, inability to perch, and sudden death. In many cases, birds die within twelve to forty-eight hours of ingestion, and there is no antidote.

The concentration of persin varies between avocado varieties, but no variety has been proven safe for birds. Guatemalan varieties tend to be the most toxic, while some sources suggest certain Mexican varieties contain less persin. However, no reliable way exists for a pet owner to determine the exact persin content of any given avocado, so all avocado should be treated as potentially lethal.

Be cautious with foods that might contain hidden avocado, such as guacamole, certain salad dressings, sushi rolls, and smoothies. Avocado oil is sometimes marketed as safe because processing may reduce persin levels, but the evidence is insufficient to recommend it for birds.

If your bird ingests any amount of avocado, contact an avian veterinarian or emergency animal hospital immediately. Quick supportive care including fluids and cardiac monitoring offers the best chance of survival, though the prognosis is often guarded.

Plenty of safe, nutritious alternatives exist. Offer leafy greens, bell peppers, carrots, berries, and other bird-safe produce instead.