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  11. Black elder (Sambucus nigra)

Black elder

Black elder (Sambucus nigra), fruits
Black elder (Sambucus nigra), fruits

The ripe fruits (berries) of the Black Elder (Sambucus nigra) are a delicacy for many bird species. In addition to our native wild birds, parrots such as budgies and cockatiels also like to eat these small, vitamin-rich fruits. This plant species belongs to the moschatel family (Adoxaceae). Elder bushes grow up to eleven meters tall and can be found in parks and gardens as well as in groves and along roadsides in Central Europe. You can pick ripe fruits in August and September. Flowers can be found in spring. They are very rich in nectar, but unfortunately slightly poisonous. This is why you should better not serve them to birds. In case you want to do it anyway, you should only offer them in small quantities.

Attention
Never feed unripe, still green, or only slightly red berries of the black elder to your birds, because they are poisonous! Only fully ripe berries are non-toxic and can be served without concern. The bark and leaves of the black elder are also poisonous to birds.
Black elder (Sambucus nigra), fruits
Black elder (Sambucus nigra), fruits
Black elder (Sambucus nigra), flowers
Black elder (Sambucus nigra), flowers

You can find more photos of this species on NABU-naturgucker.de (German website, but also available in English language).