Arizona Exotic Bird Rescue, Inc.

Birds are very sensitive to toxins due to their fast metabolism, delicate skin,  respiratory system, small size, and digestive system that allows food and ingested non-food items to sit for a prolong period of time.  Natural curiosity inspires parrots to reach for, chew, and taste any usual as well as unusual.  The strength of their beaks put parrots even at greater risk of being exposed to toxins not only when ingested, but through skin contact or when inhaled.  Toxins (like heavy metals) get deposited in brain cells, bones, feathers, and muscle tissue.  Toxic metals damage many different organs causing specific signs of illness that cause permanent damage that can lead to death. 

Paint used on your bird's cage is of primary concern.  Powder coating is much stronger than regularly applied paint that easily flakes and can be ingested and let the cage rust.  Ingesting any paint or any kind of metal is never a good thing.  It doesn't matter how safe it is, especially when there are no standards for safe levels of toxic metals established for birds.  Following the directives for child safety concerning paints may be of some benefit when it comes to refinishing a cage.  We have strict requirements concerning cages.  A simple test kit can be purchased at most any hardware store such as LOWES’ or HOME DEPOT.  Cages themselves, manufactured in the United States prior to 2004 and cages manufactured and imported outside the U.S.  are frequently found to test positive for toxic metals.

Lead and Zinc are highly poisonous to parrots.  Exposure to paint or alloys in cage wires containing metals, such as lead and zinc is considered the most dangerous to parrots since they not only chew but also use their beaks to climb.  If your cage material or hardware contains these metals it will likely cause heavy metal poisoning to your parrot.  The most common signs of poisoning in birds besides subdued behavior and shutting down.  With lead poisoning there can be seizures, balance issues, and falls from their perches.  Zinc can have much the same effect.  [See chart below for more details.]  If you have any suspicion contact your bird avian vet immediately.  The larger the parrot the greater the danger.  The large parrots can easily scratch, shave, or detach by chewing up some pieces of softer metals or paint.

In addition to paint lead may be used in paint primers, soldering metal and soldered joints in cage (distinguished from welded joints), foil on the labels of bottles, wire, fishing weights, curtain weights, leaded glass, and plastic beads, PVC pipe, and caulk.

Industry standards for lead refer to the safe standards established by our Federal Government that currently allows less then 600 ppm (parts per million parts or 0.06 % by weight) of lead in household paint.  While deemed safe for home use the level is still highly toxic to our birds.  There are no federal regulations for zinc regarding its content in paint.  You are wise to consult with the manufacture.

Zinc is an essential trace element, playing an important role in enzymatic activity.  However if ingested in uncontrolled amounts from non-food items may lead to a high accumulation and toxicity.  Zinc is not only used in paint but also may be used in plating and the galvanization of cage wires, hardware and some metal parts of bird's toys ‘Galvanization’ is term used only for zinc coatings to protect metal or hardware from oxidation and to improve the look. 

Check your zinc galvanized wire or mesh in your cages as well as your outdoor aviaries.  Don't treat outdoor aviaries with vinegar to guard your parrot against zinc poisoning!  Vinegar will etch the upper, very accessible oxidized zinc layer creating a dull whitish coating sometimes referred to as ‘zinc rust.’ and the zinc coating underneath the oxidized layer.  Vinegar won’t necessarily remove all the coating but can make it thin it enough to allow underlying metal to oxidize and rust. 

Copper, an essential trace element required for hemoglobin production and is a component of several enzyme systems.  Copper is soft metal usually used for plating not only U.S. Mint pennies which are 2.5% plated copper and 97.5% zinc, but also hardware and decorative elements on many cages.  Kitchen utensils, copper wire, and weldings often contain the metal.  Copper can be potentially poisonous to birds while it’s generally oxidized copper that can cause problems.  Storing food in copper containers or water that has remained setting in copper plumbing may contribute to elevated levels of this metal in your bird's diet.  It’s easily avoid by allowing your tap water to run for a minute before filling your birds’ bowl.  Copper is a common algaecide and fungicide used in commercial and residential pools as well as to spray vegetables and grains to prevent fungus and algae growth. 

Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc and is often used in padlocks.  Softbills, such as Canaries and Finches, as opposed to Hookbills (parrots) are unlikely to chew a padlock.  Brass objects must be kept away from parrots.  There are a number of documented cases of metal toxicity in parrots that have chewed brass padlocks.

Nickel is found top be moderately toxic to wild birds as well as poultry and could therefore be potentially toxic to parrots.  In my research I found no clear indication that nickel poses any grave danger.  We use several nickel plated items in our toy making but are careful to make certain the plaiting isn’t chipped or worn.  Once the coating is damaged the underlying metal is prone to oxidation and should no longer be used.  Check your toy hangers regularly.  Most of ours are nickel plated.

Tin is generally considered as not toxic unless it is "galvanized tin.  Wikipedia states that the metal tin itself is non-toxic but most tin salts are, as well as some organic tin compounds such as TBT (tributyltin).  TBT is a very toxic thin layer of this polymer that serves as a protective coating on non-food glass and ceramics.  Tin is present in various alloys, such as soldering tin, bronze, pewter, and dental amalgams as well as other items.  The existing aviaries built on the property which now houses our (Arizona Exotic Bird Rescue, Inc.) primary location are soon being removed because many of their components are ‘galvanized tin,’ (as well as other toxic metals) and their safety is questionable.  Our property had been the site of a former ‘hobby’ breeder. 

Steel /Wrought Iron is considered non-toxic to birds primarily because it is a hard metal.  However you must be very cautious where your powder coat finish has chipped or flaked allowing for oxidation to form rust.   

Stainless Steel is safe and won’t rust under normal indoor conditions.  Some stainless steels may stain or rust if left in humid acidic environment for prolong time.  Avoid the shinny mirror-like finish and go for the matt or dull finish. 

Aluminum is considered as safe for birds.  Some of our toy hangers are aluminum.  However never use aluminum foil in you parrots cage.  There are no metals that are safe for your bird to ingest.  All most all aluminum foil has been treated with a non-stick polymer that if heated or burned near your bird will emit dangerous fumes.  Use the same caution in cooking with foil that you would Teflon.  The gases released by Teflon coating when cooking is a killer!  NEVER use Teflon or related products around your birds! 

I have attempted to cover the most common metals that can come in contact with your birds.  Use great caution in the selection of your cage, your aviary materials, and hardware items such as screws, nuts, bolts, flat washers, chain, bells, and all of the other metal products that we use. 

Test kits are available at most hardware stores and online.  When in doubt or curious test!  Be safe not sorry.