Parrots are very active animals, they need to exercise every day and face mental challenges that stimulate them positively. In nature, parrots are gregarious animals with very complex relationships with their congeners. They spend the day communicating, playing, climbing trees, feeding and creating new bonds.
In this article on our site we will talk about toys for parrots, we will see how they should be, what types exist, we will even learn how to make toys for parrotssince we can't always afford to visit a speci alty store.
The importance of toys for parrots
Lack of physical activity, new challenges, absence of more parrots or other animals with which you empathize can end up causing he alth problems in our parrot. The symptoms of stress or discomfort in parrots are not usually evident at first, because, being prey animals, they know how to hide their weaknesses perfectly.
If you have one or several parrots at home, you should know that one of the strategies to reduce their stress, frustration or boredom is the use of toys In fact, toys are crucial to a parrot's proper he alth.
Features of Parrot Toys
All toys for parrots must comply with some basic premises in order to avoid poisoning, injuries or other problems The same happens with the place where we house our parrot, it is important to know what a parrot's cage should be like, what materials it can be made of, where to place it or what to put in it.
When choosing new toys for a parrot we must bear in mind that:
- The toy must not contain paint or be made with a toxic material for them. You can inform us of this in a toy store for parrots or in any store that sells products for exotic animals.
- They must not contain extremely small parts that they might swallow by mistake.
- The material with which it is made cannot be abrasive, nor have sharp or pointed edges that could injure the animal.
- When the toy contains fabric or ropes its use should be watched, because when it frays, the parrot can get trapped.
- The best materials for parrot toys are natural ones, such as wood and its derivatives, such ascardboard or paper . In addition, materials such as olive wood are ideal for the good maintenance of the beak and nails.
Parrots are specialists in destroying toys, so you must bear in mind that these will last very little and will have to be constantly renewed. It is not an incorrect behavior, on the contrary, their way of having fun is to bite the toys. In nature, they also cut twigs or flowers, a very beneficial activity for plants in most cases, since it acts as a natural pruning.
Types of parrot toys
When choosing which toys we want to give our parrot we have to take into account several factors. First of all we will think about the size of our parrot, the dimensions of the toy for a large parrot are different than for a small parrot.
Secondly, we must take into account the size of the cage If we are going to place the toy inside it, it must remain enough free space inside, so that the parrot does not feel overwhelmed. Also discover on our site what a parrot cage should be like.
Finally, the toys will be different if we have a single parrot or several If the toy is for a single individual, we must observe it to avoid conflicts. Once these factors have been analysed, we will choose which type of toy our parrot will like best or which one is more practical for its physical and mental condition.
Hanging Toys
Birds love to hang over tree branches. Hanging toys, like a swing, give you that feeling of being on a wobbly twig. These toys also strengthen the muscles of the legs. Several swings can be placed at different heights to encourage him to jump from one to another.
Climbing Toys
Parrots are climbers, of course they are also flying animals, but in tropical forests where the vegetation is very dense, sometimes it is easier to climb from one tree to another than to fly. For this reason, toys such as ladders or simply perches placed diagonally to the ground will favor the climbing ability of these birds. In addition, parrots climb with the help of their beak, if these stairs or innkeepers are made of wood, they will also fulfill a function of wear and maintenance of nails and beak.
Interactive Parrot Toys
In the wild, parrots spend a good part of their time looking for food, handling it and eating. This foraging behavior can easily be imitated at home. If the parrot lives in an aviary or if it leaves the cage regularly, we can spread its food on the floor, it will spend long periods of time searching and eating.
There are toys into which we can introduce food so that the parrot entertains itself by taking it out. It does not have to be a special food, it has been shown that a parrot will prefer to obtain food in this way even if it is the same food that is always available in its feeder.
Toys to stimulate physical activity (playgrounds)
Although it may not seem so from their physiognomy, parrots can suffer from obesity It is a very serious problem that can seriously affect the liver and other organs, leading to death. Whether or not we have a parrot with weight problems, it is important that it be exercised.
There are toys called "game parks" where the parrot can perform various activities such as climbing, hanging, looking for food, etc. It's like an " all in one" for parrots.
Mirrors
The use of mirrors in parrots is somewhat controversial. As we said, parrots are very social animals, living alone does not ensure the welfare of the animal. It is likely that if we give a parrot that lives alone a mirror it will become obsessed with the reflection, it might even stop eating. The mirrors are games suitable for parrots that live in pairs or groups, large or small. This way they will be able to enjoy the mirror.
Toys to bite
Parrots need to keep their beak he althy To do this, they spend time pecking at various objects. The best ones are made of natural material, such as wood. We can also use cuttlefish bones or calcium stones, with the extra contribution of this very beneficial nutrient.
Whether it's to maintain the correct beak length or not, parrots are very destructive, so they'll love you to give them pieces of cardboard to break them down.
How to introduce a new toy?
Depending on the relationship we have with our parrot, whether he trusts us or not, introducing a new toy will be more or less simple. In the first place, we will never introduce a new toy directly into the cage, as the parrot could be very frightened and create animosity towards the toy or even towards us.
It is best to leave the toy for a couple of days next to the cage. If our parrot trusts us and watches us touch the toy, it will accept it much faster. After this time, we can introduce the toy in the cage, in a place away from where the parrot usually stays, so that does not invade his personal space Over time you will learn what toys are your parrot's favourites.
Homemade toys for parrots
The sale of toys for parrots is on the rise but, as we said, parrots are very destructive animals, so those toys will not last long and you may have to invest a lot of money in new ones. This is not a problem, since you can make your own toys by following the following tips and tricks:
- It's as simple as hanging ropes or pieces of cloth with small knots from the roof of the cage, the parrot will really enjoy undoing those knots. But remember to do it under supervision, because the fabric can fray.
- You can also make toys with the cardboard left over from paper rolls, make small holes, insert food and close it at the ends. This ensures hours of fun.
- If you are a DIY person, you can build your own parrot park. Remember not to use toxic or abrasive materials such as glue.
- Another idea is to regularly change the arrangement of the innkeepers. You can also go to the field and park in your city and collect twigs and sticks to create new innkeepers. If they have different thicknesses and textures, it's better.
Now you know the importance of toys for parrots and how easy it is to build your own toys. Here we share with you a video from the Avetropic YouTube channel in which you can learn how to make a homemade parrot toy:
