As has already been mentioned, birds are playful and intelligent. A bored bird is a dead bird, basically. So it stands to reason that birds like and need playthings.

Q. What size toy do I need for my bird?
A. Well, a big bird needs a big toy, and a small bird, a small toy. If you give the bird the wrong-sized toy, injury is possible. Most toys are labeled for small, medium, large, and extra-large birds.

Q. What kind of toy should I buy?
A. Depends on the bird. Some love bells, some like twirly, spinning toys, some like rawhide leather to chew on. Some prefer "hand-held" toys over those that hang from the cage. Wood is a good choice for any bird, it exercises the beak. Fabric is excellent for feather-pluckers. It all depends on your bird, and sometimes, finding the right kind of toy can be a hit-or-miss endeavor.

Q. How many toys should the bird have?
A. The bird should have a variety of toys, but only two or so in the cage at a time. Rotate the toys about every two to three weeks so the bird doesn't get bored.

Q. Can my bird learn to do tricks?
A. Birds can be taught to do behaviors such as basketball, roller skating etc. While all species can be taught successfully, individuals may vary in their willingness to learn. The key to success is regular training sessions, patience, repetition and rewards.

Q. My bird seems terrified of the new toy, what do I do?
A. Some birds can be suspicious of any new thing, including toys. It seems that a lot of African Greys are like this. The best thing to do is to put the toy on the floor of the cage orplaypen. When the bird starts poking at it and taking and interest, then try hanging it up.

***HELP! My bird HATES the twenty dollar toy I bought for it!***
Try putting it on the floor of the cage (see previous question). If this doesn't work, then you're pretty much out twenty dollars. Taste is a personal thing, and birds definitely do have preferences. Don't be upset or mad at the bird if it didn't like what you picked out. And definitely do not stop giving your bird toys!

Q. One bird chews, one bird plucks. Are there any special toys for them?
A. For chewers, try wood toys, if they destroy that, try an acrylic, which will last longer. Manzanita wood is really hard, too. Try toys by Manzanita Munchies and Naughty Acrylics(TM).For pluckers, try rope toys, like Byrdy Cable(r) by Booda Bone(TM) or the Polly Dolly(TM) by Lucia. The Polly Dolly(TM) has lots of different colors and cloth to pick at.

Q. How do I clean the toys?
A. A mild soap and warm water will usually do the trick. Rinse and rinse and rinse, and then dry well.

Q. What are some dangers of toys?
A. Hanging, either by getting caught in a clip used to attach the toy, (avoid those metal shower curtain hangers) or by getting wrapped up in a leather strip, or a getting hooked in a chain. Fibers from rope and cloth toys can be wrapped around toes, cutting off circulation and resulting in the loss of a toe or even a foot. If the toy is shoddily made from cheap materials, it might break off, and parts could be ingested. Paint might be toxic. Make certain that the clapper in the bell cannot be pulled out and eaten. Make sure the bell, clapper or other metal toys do not contain lead or lead paint. Be careful how you attach a toy. Some birds can unscrew C-links and might tighten them onto a toe or their tongue. Others seem to alway get tangled in hanging ropes or chains. If this is the case, give your bird a "hand-held" toy when you can't be around, and carefully observe playtime with hanging toys.

Q. Can I use some household items for toys?
A. Sure. Paper towel *tubes* seem to be resounding favorites, and they're cheap! Ping-pong balls are popular, along with ball-point pen tubes (with the ink cartridge removed) We have a ten-speed set up as an exercise bike in the living room, and our four birds love to "go biking" more than anything. Plastic measuring spoons and cups work well, and Josie the cockatiel loves to play with the plastic caps to soda bottles. But one of the best ideas has to come from Larry J. Brackney who writes:

     "My  wife and I are  firm believers  in giving our birds baby toys
      They  are  typically  MUCH cheaper than  bird toys, and generally
      hard to destroy.   All  of our  birds  love  interlocking plastic
      toys: hearts, fish, etc.   And you  can buy  them at discount and
      toy stores."

     "We also have good luck getting toys at  the local Goodwill.  They
      usually have a bin of $0.25 baby toys (plastic doo-dads, teething
      rings, etc.)  We usually pick through  them,  and try to pick out
      toys without small parts that can be broken and swallowed.   Once
      home, we wash and sterilize the toys."

SOURCES FOR TOYS:

Birdwalk Enterprises P.O. Box 1555 Hollister, CA. 95024 (831) 637-4047 We sell trick toys for your birds! birdwalk@birdwalk.com	Busy Beaks P.O Box 179 El Paso Texas 79942-0179 USA Phone: (915) 842-0663 Fax: (915) 842-0664 BusyBeaksToys@aol.com
Fowl Play 108 Charmont Dr. Radford, VA 24141-4205 (540)731-3186 or (540)639-0764(fax) email@fowl-play.com	Good Bird Toys P.O. Box 130497 Ann Arbor, MI 48113 Toll-Free 888.855.TOYS "Premium, Customized Handcrafted Bird Toys"
K.C. Chew Toys located in Maine Phone (207) 772-2651 FAX (207) 879-1419	Li'l Tweets (toys for small birds) 34822 South Rivals Rd. Wilmington, Ill. 60481 (815) 476-2772
One Touch of Nature 9216 Easton Ct. Manassas, VA 20110 Phone: (703) 330-7329 FAX: (703) 365-7909 Email: Rhmagb@AOL.com	Parrot Pleasures P.O. Box 483 Orange Park, Fl. 32067-0483 Phone: (904) 264-8410 -10 am to 10pm EST Fax: (904) 264-8410 nippynape@parrotpleasures.com
Pet Bird Xpress 3330 Seldon Court - Unit 3 Fremont, CA 94539 800-729-7734 or 510-659-1030 Fax: 510-440-1173 Email: pbx@petbirdxpress.com "Unique & Extraordinary Products for Pet Birds and Their Humans"	Polly Dolly Texture Toy P.O. Box 701692 San Antonia, TX. 78270
Sonny Days Bird Toys 1019 Arbogast Griffith, Indiana 46319 (219) 923-6492 SDBT@aol.com	Thee Birdie Bordello 526 West 182nd Street Gardena, CA 90248 Voice: 310-323-4788 Fax: 310-323-2941

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This FAQ is by no means meant to replace the many wonderful and informative books, breeders, magazines, and veterinarians that are out there.

Last Revised: Friday, 18-Jul-2008 19:55:36 MDT ( Damian )