Choosing Toys for Your Bird

With so many choices surrounding us, it's no wonder that people have a hard time making choices and distinguishing between products. The same goes for bird toys; how do you choose appropriate toys for your bird? Here are some guidelines that we hope will help you!

Guidelines

It's important to choose toys that are well-designed, safe, and of good value, but they should be fun, too! Two things that bird owners have to consider are the bird's size and personality. Although you might think that size is the only factor, personality can make a big difference. Some Senegal Parrots, for example, will happily attack a macaw-sized toy with great enthusiasm. Some African Greys, on the other hand, can become fearful when faced with a very large or brightly colored toy, and might do better with a slightly smaller version.

Generally, most Macaws and Amazons are bold and aggressive, and will quickly attack anything that is placed in their cage. Cockatoos are the mechanics of the bird world, and they tend to prefer toys that move, make noises, can be taken apart, or have "hidden" surprises. Nervous birds, especially those prone to feather-plucking, seem to do well with highly textured toys that display a variety of materials that can be chewed, preened, or picked. Of course, these are just generalizations, and your bird might be entirely different. That's what makes toy selection so much fun!

Different Types of Toys

In order to choose the right toys for your bird, you should be familiar with the different types of toys. There are a variety of different toys to choose from. Some toys encourage exercise, some require foraging, some make noise, some are a puzzle, and some are specifically designed as foot toys.

Some toys provide comfort to birds, while others are used to release aggression. Give your bird a variety of toys to ensure that he is having fun, releasing aggression, being challenged, foraging, and exercising.

Helpful Tips

Make sure to provide your bird with toys that are destructible enough to keep your bird's interest. At the same time, the toys should be durable enough to last more than two minutes. You might find that trial and error is the best way to figure out what types of toys your bird does or doesn't like. Try to be patient as you figure out what your bird's preferences are.

Instead of throwing toys away that might still have some chewable pieces on them, take the good pieces off and place them in a container or box. Put the box in the bottom of your bird's cage and let him forage through them to find what he wants.

You should always be sure to examine toys for potential hazards. Check for parts that may catch their toes or trap their beaks. Also, remember to remove toys from cages when they become a hazard. Lastly, it doesn't hurt to supervise your bird after giving him a new toy until you are certain that it is safe.

Although toy shopping can be a long process, it's worth the effort if your bird is having fun in the end!

Discover More!

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Why Birds Need Toys

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