Note About Safety
What is Enrichment?
Enrichment is the action improving the quality of life for your parrot.Why Do Parrots Need Enrichment?
For companion parrots, these are the activities a parrot will enjoy. Parrots are very active in the wild. They spend most of their time foraging for food. When a parrot's need to forage is taken away, he has more time to get into trouble!Enrichment Prevents Boredom
Here are some examples of bad habits that can be caused by boredom:
The Webster's Dictionary definition of foraging is, "A search or the process of searching for something, especially a search for food and supplies or a search among a varied collection of thing." When making foraging toys for my parrots I will also add in other items like leftover bird toy parts, favorite beads, small pieces of wood to chew, and small foot toys. I have found my parrots enjoy the search when the treat is hidden among a collection of foot toys and toy parts. This also helps me keep from loading them up on too many treats while still having them actively foraging in a toy for a sustained period (Porter, Foraging Toys).
Chewing is a significant activity for parrots in the wild. Chewing leaves and bark on browse may provide some nutritional benefit. Chewing on branches helps trim beaks.
Chewing is a natural activity for the companion parrot as well. It is important to offer toys that provide your own bird the opportunity to chew (Porter, Destructible Toys).
Here are some examples of destructible toys you will find on the website https://makeyourownbirdtoys.com/blog.asp.
One example of parrots solving problems in the wild would be the need to find food and then figure out how to extract the edible portion of the food that they do find; such as locating nuts or seeds and then cracking them open to access the edible portion inside the outer shell. Providing puzzle toys and toys that require manipulation will offer your parrot mental stimulation and the opportunity to solve problems (Porter, Manipulative Toys).
Here are some examples of manipulative toys you will find on the website https://makeyourownbirdtoys.com/blog.asp.
Foot toys can be used alone or added to other foraging toys, toy buckets or bowls in the cage. And they are very easy to make. You can make a foot toy from practically anything. Some of the best foot toys I have made were from leftover parts of old toys (Porter, Foot Toys).
Here are some examples of foot toys you will find on the website https://makeyourownbirdtoys.com/blog.asp.
Toys in this category include anything that rings, rattles, clangs or plays music. Some examples are stainless steel toys; toys made with sections of bamboo that make noise when moved; plastic bottles filled with plastic beads; music box toys that play tunes when your bird presses a button (Porter, Noisy Toys).
Here are some examples of noisy toys you will find on the website https://makeyourownbirdtoys.com/blog.asp.
Here are some examples of exercise toys you will find on the website https://makeyourownbirdtoys.com/blog.asp,
Porter, K. (n.d.). Destructible Toys. Retrieved April 18, 2018, from Parrot Enrichment: http://www.parrotenrichment.com/destructible-toys.html
Porter, K. (n.d.). Exercise Toys. Retrieved April 18, 2018, from Parrot Enrichment: http://www.parrotenrichment.com/exercise-toys.html
Porter, K. (n.d.). Foot Toys. Retrieved April 18, 2018, from Parrot Enrichment: http://www.parrotenrichment.com/foot-toys.html
Porter, K. (n.d.). Foraging Toys. Retrieved from Parrot Enrichment: http://www.parrotenrichment.com/foraging-toys.html
Porter, K. (n.d.). Manipulative Toys. Retrieved April 18, 2018, from Parrot Enrichment: http://www.parrotenrichment.com/manipulative-toys.htmlPorter, K. (n.d.). Noisy Toys. Retrieved April 18, 2018, from Parrot Enrichment: http://www.parrotenrichment.com/noisy-toys.html
- Plucking
- Masturbation
- Screaming
- Biting
How Can I Provide Enrichment for My Parrot?
Foraging Toys
Parrot foraging toys provide an opportunity for your birds to want to work for food. These are toys in which a food item can be hidden or presented in a different way, such as threading fruit and vegetables on a skewer that hangs in the cage.The Webster's Dictionary definition of foraging is, "A search or the process of searching for something, especially a search for food and supplies or a search among a varied collection of thing." When making foraging toys for my parrots I will also add in other items like leftover bird toy parts, favorite beads, small pieces of wood to chew, and small foot toys. I have found my parrots enjoy the search when the treat is hidden among a collection of foot toys and toy parts. This also helps me keep from loading them up on too many treats while still having them actively foraging in a toy for a sustained period (Porter, Foraging Toys).
Shreddables / Destructibles
Parrot destructible toys are exactly as described; meant to be destroyed. They provide an opportunity for your bird to chew or shred.Chewing is a significant activity for parrots in the wild. Chewing leaves and bark on browse may provide some nutritional benefit. Chewing on branches helps trim beaks.
Chewing is a natural activity for the companion parrot as well. It is important to offer toys that provide your own bird the opportunity to chew (Porter, Destructible Toys).
Here are some examples of destructible toys you will find on the website https://makeyourownbirdtoys.com/blog.asp.
- Egg Carton Toy
- Vine Balls
- Adding Machine Tape Dispenser
- Paper Towel Roll
- Books
- Boxes
The Parrot Mom has great DIY Toy Kits. You can use the wood toy kits to refill your birds favorite toy and so it can have more to chew.
Puzzles/Manipulative Parrot Toys
A description for manipulative toys for toddlers reads, "Push, pull, twist, turn and learn! Help build and develop fine motor skills with hands-on activities." Many companion parrots enjoy similar activities such as untying knots, undoing nuts and bolts, taking apart Legos, etc. In fact discount school supply sites that sell toddler manipulative toys are a good place to look for manipulative toys for your bird.One example of parrots solving problems in the wild would be the need to find food and then figure out how to extract the edible portion of the food that they do find; such as locating nuts or seeds and then cracking them open to access the edible portion inside the outer shell. Providing puzzle toys and toys that require manipulation will offer your parrot mental stimulation and the opportunity to solve problems (Porter, Manipulative Toys).
Here are some examples of manipulative toys you will find on the website https://makeyourownbirdtoys.com/blog.asp.
- Foraging Wheels
- Pill Boxes
Parrot Foot Toys
Parrot foot toys, sometimes called talon toys, are exactly as the name describes; a toy your parrot can hold in his foot. Because of their smaller size, they are easier toys to introduce to toy shy parrots and can be a great way to teach a parrot how to play with toys.Foot toys can be used alone or added to other foraging toys, toy buckets or bowls in the cage. And they are very easy to make. You can make a foot toy from practically anything. Some of the best foot toys I have made were from leftover parts of old toys (Porter, Foot Toys).
Here are some examples of foot toys you will find on the website https://makeyourownbirdtoys.com/blog.asp.
- T.U.T.T Foot Toy (The Ultimate Tongue Toy)
- Bottle Caps
- Chinese Finger Traps
- Legos
- Vine Balls
- Paper Towel Tube Treat Balls
- Simple Bead & Rope Foot Toy
Noisy Parrot Toys
Most parrots like to make noise. I have a parrot that uses the bell toy in his cage to make a statement. For example, if I am across the room and give another bird a treat, Elvis sees this and starts clanging his bell in a "hey look at me" sort of way.Toys in this category include anything that rings, rattles, clangs or plays music. Some examples are stainless steel toys; toys made with sections of bamboo that make noise when moved; plastic bottles filled with plastic beads; music box toys that play tunes when your bird presses a button (Porter, Noisy Toys).
Here are some examples of noisy toys you will find on the website https://makeyourownbirdtoys.com/blog.asp.
- Avian Stainless Toys
- The Babble Ball
- Music Box Toy
Parrot Exercise Toys
Bird toys in this category are toys that encourage movement. Swings and bungees are examples of bird toys that encourage movement and provide birds an opportunity to exercise. Play stations and play areas can be designed and set up in a way that encourages exercise. You can encourage climbing exercises with ladders and knotted ropes (Porter, Exercise Toys).Here are some examples of exercise toys you will find on the website https://makeyourownbirdtoys.com/blog.asp,
- The Atom
- The AviHang
Other Activities
Kiwi, The Skateboarding Parrot does not care for most conventional bird toys, but get him on his skateboard and he will have enough fun for the whole day! If your struggling to find toys that your parrot loves, think about other activities, who know, you might have a new famous parrot!
- Parrot Play Stands
- TV
- Singing
- Showers
- Trick Training
Where to Shop
Here is a list of my favorite places to get toy parts. Please comment with a link to your favorite store.
References
Jones, T. (n.d.). Springfield, MO, USA.Porter, K. (n.d.). Destructible Toys. Retrieved April 18, 2018, from Parrot Enrichment: http://www.parrotenrichment.com/destructible-toys.html
Porter, K. (n.d.). Exercise Toys. Retrieved April 18, 2018, from Parrot Enrichment: http://www.parrotenrichment.com/exercise-toys.html
Porter, K. (n.d.). Foot Toys. Retrieved April 18, 2018, from Parrot Enrichment: http://www.parrotenrichment.com/foot-toys.html
Porter, K. (n.d.). Foraging Toys. Retrieved from Parrot Enrichment: http://www.parrotenrichment.com/foraging-toys.html
Porter, K. (n.d.). Manipulative Toys. Retrieved April 18, 2018, from Parrot Enrichment: http://www.parrotenrichment.com/manipulative-toys.htmlPorter, K. (n.d.). Noisy Toys. Retrieved April 18, 2018, from Parrot Enrichment: http://www.parrotenrichment.com/noisy-toys.html