Fruit Seeds and Pits

Also known as: apple seeds, cherry pits, peach pits, apricot pits, plum pits

Danger (Avoid)

Apple seeds, cherry pits, peach pits, apricot pits — they all contain amygdalin, which breaks down into hydrogen cyanide when crushed or digested. A bird's powerful gizzard grinds seeds with surprising force, and that grinding action is exactly what releases the cyanide. While a whole fruit is often perfectly safe for birds, the seeds and pits inside are a genuine poison risk.

Quantity

A single apple seed is unlikely to harm a large bird like a jay or woodpecker, but for small songbirds, even a few crushed seeds can deliver a meaningful dose of cyanide. Cherry and apricot pits contain higher concentrations of amygdalin than apple seeds, making them more dangerous per pit.

Notes

This is especially relevant in autumn when garden fruit trees drop windfall. Apples lying on the ground with exposed cores, fallen cherries, and rotting stone fruit all give birds access to seeds and pits they would normally never encounter in enough quantity to matter. If you have fruit trees, pick up windfall regularly — especially anything with exposed or cracked pits.

Negative Signs

* Sudden weakness and inability to fly
* Gasping or labored breathing
* Bright red or unusually colored mucous membranes
* Convulsions
* Rapid collapse
* Sudden death

FAQ

Q: I put out whole apples for the birds. Should I be removing the seeds first?
A: Yes. It only takes a moment to core the apple or cut it in half and scoop the seeds out. The flesh is a wonderful food for birds — blackbirds, thrushes, and starlings love it — but the seeds are a needless risk.

Q: Do birds in the wild eat fruit seeds all the time without problems?
A: Some larger birds do pass small seeds intact without cracking them, but garden feeding concentrates the exposure. A bird at your feeder might eat far more seeds than it would encounter naturally in a day. It's best to remove them.

Alternatives

Apple flesh (without seeds) is perfectly safe and enjoyed by many garden birds. Slice apples in half, scoop out the core, and place them on your bird table. Grapes cut in half, berries, and melon chunks are also excellent fruit options that carry no seed toxicity risk.

Risks & Disclaimer

Cyanide poisoning in birds is typically fatal before anyone notices symptoms. The best approach is prevention: never put out fruit with seeds or pits accessible to birds. Core apples, remove cherry pits, and discard stone fruit pits in sealed bins.