Parrot - Toys

It is often said that many parrot behaviour problems (e.g. plucking or screaming) are due to boredom.

This is, as with most simple explanations, too simple!  Many of these parrots do have something to do and may have plenty of toys - they are just not the right ones that provide for the parrot's needs.

What toys does my parrot need?

Essentially parrots are highly inquisitive (and destructive) birds that spend most of the day foraging for food - they therefore need toys that will occupy time, enable the bird to interact with them, and provide a food reward: shiny indestructible toys are not good!

What can be done?

Some great ideas for toys can be found on the World Parrot Trust website www.parrots.org as well as in the more specialised bird suppliers (Scott Echols' excellent DVD, Captive Foraging shows how to build a foraging tree with a range of toys - www.avequip.co.uk).

However, some simple toys are easy to make and use:

1. Allow the bird to forage in deep litter - remove the grille from the bottom of the cage and replace with 5-7 cm (2-3 ins) torn paper (newspaper can be used but your white bird may go grey from the print!).  Food can be scattered in this.  The important thing with this technique is that it is messy - paper will go everywhere.  It will also need more frequent cleaning to prevent a build up of food and faeces.
2. Toilet roll/ kitchen roll inners - food can be placed within and the ends screwed up.
3. Cardboard boxes - again, food can be placed inside. 

Basically, the only limit is what you can construct/find and what your bird is mentally and physically capable of opening.

When purchasing or making toys use safe untreated wood.  Avoid toys with obviously dangerous points and spikes and avoid those with galvanised chains clips or rings.  If possible secure toys using string, rope or leather ties (if nothing else, the untying of such toys provides entertainment in itself!).

Importantly, remember that birds are like children and will quickly tire of the same thing.  Therefore do not keep all the toys in the cage all the time.  Instead keep a range of toys in a store and rotate them so the bird only has two or three at a time.

Some birds are nervous of new things, especially in their cage.  This is where it is vital that your bird knows and trusts you as it is up to you, the owner, to introduce the bird to the toy (ideally away from the toy), show them it is not a threat and teach them how to use the toy.

Providing correct foraging toys will greatly increase a pet bird's confidence and improve its quality of life.