Choosing The Correct Toys For Your Bird
When it comes to bird toys, you might have heard a couple of familiar phrases: “I don’t give my bird toys anymore; she never plays with them,” or “Whenever I get my bird new toys, he just destroys them.” Sound familiar? Let’s dive in!
Toys are like multi-talented little wonders! They’re meant to be fun, educational, and challenging, while also catering to a bird’s natural instincts. For our feathered friends, toys help fill the gaps that come with being in a cage, especially when space and social interaction are limited. They’re designed to be chewed, tossed around, and even yelled at—basically, the more shredded a toy is, the more your bird has enjoyed it! So, for those of you whose birds go to town on their toys, great job! You’ve found a winner! And if your bird isn’t showing much interest, don’t worry—keep exploring! The right toy is out there waiting to catch her attention.
Remember, toys should be all about your bird’s enjoyment. While you might think a giraffe-shaped piñata is super cute, your bird might not see the charm in it at all. In fact, most parrots aren’t fussed about whether a toy looks like a monkey or a snowflake—they don’t know what those are! What really matters to them is the texture and how they can interact with the toy. So, try to avoid picking toys based solely on what you find appealing; focus on what your bird will love!
Once you start to notice the materials your bird really enjoys and uses the most, take some time to explore the different types of toys made from those materials. It’s also helpful to pay attention to the activities your bird seems to love. For example, my african grey loves to shred plain pizza boxes up, so we buy them from amazon in large quantities, my conure loves seagrass mats to shred, my galah enjoys putting items inside her coconut shell and my lorikeet enjoys foot toys and chewing/swinging from long palm leaves. It’s so fun to watch them get creative!
Baby (a wild disabled ringneck) and Watson (African grey)
Once you’ve figured out what your bird loves, here are some fun options to consider:
Foraging toys: In the wild, birds spend a huge part of their day foraging for food, and our pet birds can really benefit from a similar setup in their cages. Creating a foraging environment keeps their minds and bodies active!
Wood/shreddables: Chewing is a natural instinct for birds. In the wild, they carve out tree cavities or gather materials for their nests. This instinct is just as strong in our companion parrots. Providing them with toys that let them chew away can help save your furniture from becoming a chew toy!
Preening toys: If your bird loves to snuggle on your shoulder and groom your hair, preening toys can be a great option. If you notice your bird is an excessive preener or might be developing some feather-destructive habits, these toys can help keep them distracted and happy.
Toys are super important for your parrot’s well-being! Having unused toys in the cage isn’t really helpful at all. By observing your bird and doing a bit of affordable experimenting, you can discover just the right toys that will make them happy and engaged. It’s all about finding what works best for your feathered friend!
Rio with his foot toy