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Not to come across as harsh, but garlic can be a huge risk to birds. I am currently writing an article on Avian Toxicity for the Veterinary Technology Magazine, garlic and onions are one of the foods I am highlighting, as its unique that it is also toxic to dogs and cats, but affects them differently.
BioOne Online Journals - Hemoglobinuric Nephrosis and Hepatosplenic Erythrophagocytosis in a Dusky-headed Conure (Aratinga weddelli) After Ingestion of Garlic (Allium sativum) you have to have a subscription to the page so here is the following text giving full credit to the authors Laura L. WadeDVM, Dipl ABVP (Avian) and Shelley J. NewmanDVM, DVSc, Dipl ACVP and Bio One online journals
Medical Journal Abstracts on Onions…



"A dusky-headed conure (Aratinga weddelli) with a history of being force fed a large amount of garlic (Allium sativum) was presented because of anorexia and lethargy. The conure died 1 hour after supportive care was administered. At necropsy, a half clove of garlic and several large pieces of chicken meat were present in the crop. Histopathologic findings of hemoglobinuric nephrosis and hepatosplenic erythrophagocytosis strongly suggested an acute hemolytic event. Frozen kidney and liver samples were negative for polyomavirus DNA, and tissue lead and zinc levels were normal. The clinical presentation and postmortem findings in this conure are similar to those in mammals with onion and garlic (Allium species) toxicosis.



Sudden increase in mortality was observed in 2 different flocks of mature breeder geese fed green onions. At necropsy, birds had pale epicardium with random petechiation, sanguinous fluid accumulation in the pericardial sac, and mild swelling of the liver and spleen. Histologically, there was accumulation of hemosiderin in hepatocytes, Kupffer cells of the liver, macrophages, and renal tubules. There was also moderate to severe hepatic necrosis, vacuolation of hepatocytes, splenitis, and renal tubular nephrosis. To assess the effects of green onion ingestion, 2 feeding trials were carried out in 3 mature White Chinese geese. In the first trial, onions were thoroughly mixed with pellet maintenance ration. In the second trial, onions were offered in a separate trough from the pelleted diet. During the 21 days of experiments, the red blood cell count and hematocrit decreased, whereas the polychromasia and reticulocyte estimate increased. The blood changes were more marked in birds from the second feeding trial. Gross and histologic changes were similar in both trials. Mild swelling and severe darkening of the liver were the only significant findings at necropsy. Histologically, the liver looked similar to that seen from the field outbreak. The liver contained moderate amounts of hemosiderin in the hepatocytes and Kupffer cells, and had centrolobular necrosis and vacuolation of hepatocytes. This experimental study demonstrated that anemia and liver pathology could be caused by ingestion of onions. Furthermore, Heinz bodies are not a consistent finding in the blood of geese fed onions."

That is true. However, I have taken a call at work (pet poison help line) from a woman whose bird was regurgitating clear liquid and not wanting to eat for 24 hours. After much run down of his diet, two days previously she had been eating pasta and giving him the chunks of garlic out of it. Unfortunately lab research has never proven any LD 50 (the amount a which 50% of the animals fed will die) for birds. However, there has never been a definitive LD 50 for avocado either, as most of the testing has been based off of feeding large amounts of this, but we all know that even small amounts can be deadly from personal stories of others. I guess in my opinion, can things like onions, garlic, avocado, and honey be given and an animal have no reaction? Yes, I know a woman who routinely gives her macaws a small amount of avocado once a week because she claims its what has brought them back from feather picking. Most of us here would never even try that. But we've heard that these things can be harmful to other animals, why take the risk? Some people (as you said) really dont understand the term moderation

Avocados cause a fluid accumulation around the heart.
My whole point about all of this was that, we know avocados and apple seeds and what not can be deadly to birds, but none of us are exactly sure of how much. However, some of us on this board have heard of people giving this to their pets with no ill effects. In my opinion, the same goes for garlic/ onions, as its know to be a toxin to dogs and cats in large amounts (it causes heinze body anemiain them) or need to be givien it larger quantites (than what we see in their food and dog treats) daily, and is toxic to birds when given in large amounts as well.
I personally as a Veterianary Technician working at a Animal Poison Control Facility have taken a call where someone gave their bird a relatively small amount of garlic and it got ill.
With that being said, I have also seen cases where an animal ingested (no joke) 5 X the LD50 of ibuprofen (he ate about 300 tablets of it). The owner called a few days after the fact because a friend told her how bad it was, and the dog never developed any issues, and rightfully he should have been dead at that amount.
Moral of my point is yes, moderation is an important thing, most people need to exercise more of it :54: however since I physically took a call from someone whos bird was ill after she gave it dieced up garlic in her pasta, Im persoanlly not taking any chances with my birds.

And I dont think this is a bizzare thread! I think theres actually a lot of really great information from everyone in it, and some good ole healthy debates. And constant updates on handsome little Cody! :wub:

ShellyL wrote: It even suggests giving your bird hot peppers which seems like it would be much more harmful than garlic.