Frequently (and not so frequently) Asked Questions
BRIEF: Can marigold leaves be poisonous to a canary?
QUESTION:
Have you ever known marigold leaves to adversely affect a small pet canary?
I had little marigolds growing in a pot and gave her some of the tender
leaves and she loved them, eating them all up, then having a little birdie
fit, splashing around in her water and itching everywhere and picking her
feathers. I hope I did not give her something poisonous to her. I know
avacado is poisonous to canaries,but never thought simple marigolds could
hurt anyone.
ANSWER:
Marigolds have some thiophene compounds in them that kill nematodes, but I don't
know what it would do to a canary. Given your observations, you might want to back
off on them...