Quantity
Even a few pecks of raw green potato contain enough solanine to affect a small bird. Normal-colored raw potato is less concentrated but still not safe. Only plain, cooked, unseasoned potato is tolerable, and even then it offers birds almost no nutritional value.
Notes
The most common exposure is kitchen peelings. People who compost or scatter kitchen scraps for birds often include potato peelings without thinking. Green-tinged potatoes and sprouted potatoes from the back of the cupboard are especially dangerous because they contain the highest solanine concentrations. Potato plants in the garden (leaves, stems, and flowers) are also toxic to birds.
Negative Signs
* Vomiting or regurgitation
* Diarrhea or watery droppings
* Lethargy and weakness
* Tremors and disorientation
* Difficulty breathing
FAQ
Q: Can birds eat cooked potato?
A: Plain boiled or baked potato in small amounts is unlikely to harm birds, but it's nutritionally poor — mostly starch. There are much better options. Never put out roasted, mashed, or seasoned potatoes, as these contain added salt, butter, or oil.
Q: I have potato plants in my garden. Will they harm the birds?
A: Birds generally avoid the leaves and stems of potato plants, but it's worth being cautious. If birds are foraging near your vegetable patch, make sure any fallen or damaged potato tubers (especially green ones) are picked up promptly.
Alternatives
If you want to offer birds a starchy kitchen scrap, plain cooked rice (white or brown) is far safer and more digestible. Oats — either raw porridge oats or cooked plain oatmeal — are another excellent option that birds love.
Risks & Disclaimer
If you've been putting raw potato scraps on your bird table, stop immediately. Clear away any potato material and replace it with safe food. Green or sprouted potatoes are the most dangerous and should go in the bin, not the garden.
