Tip Of the Month - October 2009

The Crystal Parrot - Birds are smart. Even the littlest Lovebird, most petite Poicephalus, and miniature Macaw is clever, intelligent and creative. For us to expect our pet birds to sit in a cage all day like a lump on a log, doing nothing but cheep contently is very misinformed indeed. Birds need outlets for their energy and ways to stimulate their brains and occupy their time.

Remember our pet birds are still wild animals. They are made to be looking for food for most of their waking days. We call it foraging. In the wilds of the rain forest or savannas, the parrots forage, preen, bathe, and hang out with their friends all day. There are no food dishes with crunchy pellets hanging in the trees or fresh veggies just lying around waiting to be eaten. The birds have to find their food using their wits, their brains and their beaks.

A bored bird can be a troublesome bird. Birds that have nothing to do tend to scream more, chew their feathers, or bite. Without appropriate things to play with, birds will find ways to amuse themselves, usually destroying things we would rather they not destroy. A bird that is challenged daily will be a better companion, and just be happier with their lives.

Pet birds need to play by chewing and destroying bird safe toys. Bird owners should make sure their birds have a roomy cage so that they can have different toys to play with. Toys should be made of all different materials such as wood, leather, plastic, and woven fibers so that your bird can choose which toy to play with at a given time. Offering only one type of toy, like only plastic, doesn’t allow your bird to have variety and they can get bored faster. Toys should be rotated every few weeks to give the bird different stuff to play with, and give the owner an opportunity to inspect older toys for loose, broken or frayed parts.

All birds should spend at least part of their day looking for food, or foraging. Some avian veterinarians recommend that over time every beakful of food should be worked for. There are many toys available that are made for foraging. These include toys to shred to find treats, boxes to open, and plastic to unscrew to find food. You can also make your own foraging toys using non-waxed paper cups, pieces of plain paper, paper bags, boxes, natural baskets, or any other natural material that is not dyed and is bird safe. Fresh veggies make a safe, healthy toy that can be hung, skewered, and woven through cage bars.

Keep in mind with any foraging toys you will have to teach your bird how to find the hidden food. Work with your bird, demonstrate and play with the toy with your bird. Never allow your bird to be completely without food. Although working for their food is important, eating regularly and having access to food is more important. Start out slowly. Hide something small and work up to hiding more and more food and treats.

The Crystal Parrot carries many, many toys of all shapes, sizes and materials. We have foraging toys, plastic, wood, leather, rope, and woven natural fiber toys. For ideas on making some bird safe foraging toys, ask us. We would be happy to share some ideas with you.