Types and selection of parrot toys

The parrot is an interesting and intelligent bird. The owner of such a pet must understand that it is not enough just to close the parrot in a cage - you need to provide him with an interesting pastime so that the pet is not bored.

These birds are quite active and talkative. They love attention from the owner and yearn alone. It is worth taking a close look at the behavior of the parrot in order to understand whether he needs a particular toy, what shape, size, etc. it should be.

It is worth purchasing a toy if the parrot:

• likes to climb the curtains;
• can hang upside down on the chandelier;
• often gnaws, chews or tears;
• likes to look in mirrors and preen;
• examines his shadow and plays with it;
• likes to drag this or that item from one place to another, or even hides it;
• takes things out of a box, drawer, etc .;
• likes to look at something shiny;
• he is attracted by ringing and rustling sounds;
• holds various little things with his paw;
• holds and throws objects;
• likes to roll round things;
• untangles the knots.

In order not to get confused in the assortment of stores, you should know what this or that toy is focused on - for the development of intellectual abilities or for a pet's sports pastime. The main types of toys.

• Forage or developmental. These are kind of puzzles that parrots love to solve.Often, some kind of delicacy is hidden inside such toys, and the bird must use its ingenuity to get to it.
• Training apparatus... A parrot needs such toys so that it trains its wings, legs and other muscles. These birds, as a rule, skillfully cling, balance, so it is better to equip the cage with swings and ladders.
• Nibble. Parrots often gnaw or chew something, so it is better to add special toys to the cage so that the bird does not spoil furniture and other household items. These items are usually made of wood and help develop the pet's jaw joints. But the life of such a toy is short-lived. For budgies, you can, for example, choose an apple or pine nibble.
• For outdoor activities. The parrot will definitely like all sorts of reels, for example, the "penguin on wheels" tumbler, which the bird will be happy to roll. Parrots are very active and need to show their athletic skills.
• Musical. If the owner is not embarrassed by the periodic noise, then you can please the feathered pet with a bell or a rattle. And for large parrots, special toys that sound when you press a button are suitable.
• Mirror. This accessory is already considered an inseparable element in the cage. It is believed that the parrot is interested in spending time with his reflection while the owner is not at home or he is busy with household chores. Some experts believe that reflection can eventually replace communication with a person for a parrot, but the owners of these birds do not agree with this statement. In their experience, the mirror only contributes to the development of communication skills in a parrot.
• Cozy toys. To make your feathered friend comfortable and safe, you can add tunnel pipes, various winding rings and even whole houses to the cage.
• Game stand. Some owners, in order to please their feathered pets, purchase a whole game complex, where there are ladders, swings, rungs and other toys. Usually such a structure is installed on top of the cage or on any surface in the apartment. With a playground, your feathered pet will definitely have no time to get bored.

To make the toy not only interesting, but also safe, birdwatchers advise the following.

• Pay attention to the manufacturer, composition and material. The main thing is safety. The bird can chew on the toy, and it must be free from harmful dyes. It is worth paying attention to the quality of the plastic (if the accessory is made of it). The parrot runs the risk of choking on the plastic if it chews off a piece from the toy. If the product is rope, then it is worth checking if there are any protruding threads. It is important to pay attention to the size of the holes in the toy, otherwise the parrot's beak may get stuck in them. It is better not to purchase toys with small parts so that the feathered pet does not inadvertently swallow them.
• Don't be limited to one toy. I'll bore you quickly, so it's worth purchasing a variety of accessories. You can periodically change one toy for another or place them in new places. Then the bird will remain interested.
• In pursuit of variety, you do not need to strive to clog the whole cage with toys. The parrot will simply have nowhere to turn around and flap its wings. The best option for a cage would be two or three accessories.
• Toys must be chosen taking into account the size of the feathered friend. If the parrot is small, then it will be difficult for him to play with a large object. And toys for large parrots should not be too small, otherwise they will easily break the little thing without even having time to really play with it.
• You also need to take care of the toy. The owners regularly wash and sanitize items so that organic debris does not accumulate there and mold does not appear. If the toy is already pretty shabby, it is best to throw it away.
• If you immediately hang the accessory in the cage, it can frighten the feathered pet, therefore it is better that he gets used to the new toy first.
• It is important to show the parrot what to do with the object, how to play with it. It is easy to accustom a bird to a new toy - parrots are excellent imitators, so the owner only needs to demonstrate the sequence of actions once. But it is important not to scare the bird away. For every attempt to show interest in the subject, the pet should be encouraged with a treat.

Toys for medium, small and large parrots can be made from available tools. But when choosing materials and manufacturing, it is worth remembering about safety.

How to make a swing.

• It will be necessary to stock up on wire, perches, beads or buttons.
• The wire length is calculated taking into account the mounting hole.
• After that, the perch is made two holes for fasteners.
• Beads or buttons are put on the wire, and the ends of the wire are fixed in pre-prepared holes on the perch below.
• Then the wire with beads strung on it is given the shape of a circle and the structure is fixed in the cage. The swing is ready!

How to make a bungee with a bell.

• You need to stock up on a rope (five millimeters thick), beads, a metal bell, a perch.
• You need to put a bead on the rope, then make a knot, then put the bead back on.
• The perch is fixed at the bottom and the bell itself is attached.
• The rope is attached to the top of the cage. The musical toy for a feathered pet is ready!

How to make a spiral staircase.

• You need to take a plastic bottle (half a liter), sand (river or sea is suitable), rods - five millimeters thick - with pointed ends, several nuts, a colored wrapper.
• To begin with, the sand is thoroughly washed and calcined in a frying pan.
• The bottle is pasted over with a bright packaging wrapper so that it arouses the interest of the parrot.
• There should be a few nuts on the bottom of the bottle to keep the structure stable.
• Further, sand is poured, and the bottle is tightly wrapped with a lid.
• Then several holes are cut in the bottle for the twigs, they should not fall out and turn.
• You can make a rope ladder using a rope and a few wooden perches. Parrots love to climb the ladders to the top and go down.

How to make a rattle:

• such a little thing can be made from improvised items, for example, from a plastic container, where there used to be a toy from "Kinder";
• several buttons or beads are placed there;
• Feathered pets really like the sounds that rattles make, so with the help of such a simple toy, you can keep the bird busy for a long time.

For information on how to make toys for a parrot with your own hands, see the next video.