| Parrots are very intelligent creatures that while in the | | | | toys. There is nothing more frustrating for you and |
| wild get to indulge their curiosity by flying and exploring | | | | your bird than to start with the most complicated toy in |
| the world around them. They tend to fly from tree to | | | | the market. Yes, it may be the ultimate combination of |
| tree, peck at interesting things and forage for food. | | | | texture and puzzle, but it will be best to work up to |
| What happens when this creature becomes a pet? | | | | that stage. DON'T drop that on your parrot at the very |
| There is significantly less physical and mental activity | | | | beginning. |
| unless the pet owner makes a conscious effort to | | | | Toys can also be about physical exercise. You would |
| provide both. Parrots toys are a great way to provide | | | | like to get your bird a lot of flying time but that may |
| mental stimulation and to generate some physical | | | | sometimes not be feasible. A well chosen toy can help |
| activity also. | | | | them work off some of their energy. DO pick toys |
| One of the basic things to remember when choosing a | | | | with movable parts such as ring swings and varied |
| toy for your parrot is DO pick something that is size | | | | levels of dowels can encourage movement in parrots. |
| appropriate. DON'T get a big toy for a small bird such | | | | There are also foot toys which are specially intended |
| as a Green-Cheek Conures or Quaker Parrot or a tiny | | | | for parrots to manipulate with their feet. There may be |
| toy for a larger bird such as a Cockatoo or Macaw. | | | | something to open and some simple mechanism to |
| This can be frustrating and can even lead to injuries. | | | | work which can keep parrots happily engaged for a |
| When choosing parrot toys DO keep in mind the | | | | while. |
| activities that your bird enjoys. Parrots love to chew, | | | | There is no overstating the emotional value of toys for |
| they like shredding and they like to peer into nooks and | | | | parrots but there are a few things to keep in mind |
| crannies. The best toys are those that build on these | | | | here. DON'T see your role as merely providing an |
| natural instincts and allow the birds to stay engaged | | | | extravagance of playthings and leaving the parrot to |
| while doing so. | | | | his or her own devices. |
| Wooden and paper toys are good materials for them | | | | DO monitor the appeal of each toy you introduce and |
| to chew on and toy manufacturers use soft to hard | | | | replace ones that are not working. It will also be most |
| woods to provide varied levels of challenge for the | | | | productive to introduce one toy at a time and to rotate |
| birds. Very often parrots toys include raw hide as it | | | | between a few so as to prevent boredom from |
| provides the birds something to chew on. | | | | over-exposure. |
| A variety of textures can be very stimulating to a | | | | And remember that while the toys provide much |
| parrot so DO pick parrot toys which incorporate varied | | | | needed stimulation, it will not be a complete |
| materials or pick toys made of varied materials. Other | | | | replacement of the time you need to interact with your |
| than wood and paper, you will also find commercial | | | | smart pet. Make sure you DON'T let that happen! |
| toys that have introduced clothing material, cotton | | | | In terms of parrot safety, DO make sure you select |
| ropes, coconut fibers and raffia in imaginative ways so | | | | toys that are made of safe materials such as nontoxic |
| as to provide variety for the birds. | | | | plastic, natural fibers and organic dyes and untreated |
| DO pick toys that have a puzzle quality to them as | | | | wood and avoid toys that have chemically processed |
| that will serve the purpose of mentally engaging the | | | | leather, zinc, lead or treated wood. |
| parrot. Some of these toys have a space where you | | | | When you choose a toy with a rope element watch |
| can hide a nut or small treat because that will give the | | | | out for frayed material as this can be disastrous for |
| bird the joy of foraging and the emotional high of | | | | parrots. As mentioned earlier, DO pick size appropriate |
| succeeding. | | | | toys so that your bird will not get a head or toe stuck |
| Remember that parrots are very intelligent, and in that | | | | in an awkward place or angle. |
| sense, their toys have to serve the purpose that infant | | | | And as a part of your safety awareness, DO inspect |
| toys are supposed to serve. It is to keep them | | | | toys that your bird is playing with frequently and |
| entertained but it is also to ensure that they get to use | | | | replace broken or worn out ones promptly. |
| their capabilities. | | | | It may take some thinking and choosing but your bird |
| At this point, it should also be pointed out that you need | | | | will definitely benefit from the effort you put into picking |
| to gradually increase the complexity of your parrots' | | | | your parrot's toys. |