Many bird species can eat the fruits of plants that are toxic to humans — even the white berries found on poison ivy. These birds just aren’t sensitive to the compounds in the berries that are irritating or poisonous to people. While you probably want to stay away from poison ivy, you can improve habitats for birds by planting native fruit bushes and advocating for wildlife-friendly gardening in public green spaces.

Support for this episode was provided by Jerry Tone and Martha Wyckoff from Seattle, Washington — and generous listeners around the world.

More info and transcript at BirdNote.org.

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