Providing your parrot toys

Parrots just want to have some fun and if you do not provide a way for them to channel their energy, they may have to come up with a way for themselves. This could result in screaming, feather destruction, or other negative behaviors.

Whether making or buying, your bird’s safety must be your first consideration. Avoid jingle bells, zinc, lead, metal pieces with un-welded openings, and key rings. Small pieces that can easily be removed may become stuck on a beak or cause choking. Long strings may become wrapped around a toe, leg, or neck.

Double check the ingredients of edible toys. Buying toys is easier than ever. The Internet, local independent stores, or chain/ franchise pet stores offer lots of choices. Buy toys made for your size of bird and keep in mind what it is your bird likes to do. Is your bird a chewer/shredder, a noise maker (toys that ring, clang, and bang), or a thinker ( toys that require time and effort).

Knowing your bird’s play style should not limit your toy choices. All birds can be taught to interact with all types of toys. We all like something a little different and crazy sometimes! And remember, your bird’s tastes, and therefore his/her favorites, may change from time to time.

Buying a lot of toys can get expensive but with a little imagination you can also make toys for your bird. Craft stores are great places to find tongue depressors, and wood pieces for the chewer in your life. At home there are old paperback books, phonebooks, cereal boxes, paper towel holders, whiffle balls, straws, and pinecones (cleaned and baked at 250 degrees for 30 minutes). Save usable old toy parts like beads, leather strips, etc. to use when making something new.

Check for discontinued or on sale toys periodically to save some money. The toys you make do not have to be complicated. Put shredded paper and/or a treat inside the paper towel roll or cereal box, or weave strips of paper through the cage bars. Once you have a stockpile of toys, they can be rotated to keep your bird playing and avoid boredom.

If you have a bird that is not accustom to change or is afraid of new toys, go slowly. Start with the toy as far from the cage as you can with it being visible to your bird. Every couple of days move it a little closer eventually getting to the point where you can hang it on the outside of the cage. Once your bird relaxes move the toy inside the cage. I suggest that you do not make changes at night or late in the day. Give your bird plenty of time to feel safe before you turn out the lights. It is nor-mal if it takes your bird a few days before exploring a new toy.

Enriching an animal’s environment has been going on at zoos for a long time but only recently has been applied to pets. Enrichment is about change and only works if there is continual change. Keeping your bird’s personality in mind, make a plan. Pick a day on the calendar, or one day of the week, to change a toy. Change is good for your bird!