Category: Toys

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Tiny Toys

Canaries and finches are popular pets because of their small size, beautiful colors, and singing ability. Although they do not have hooked bills like parrots, that doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t have toys and stimulation in their cages! While parrots like chipping away at wood and shredding, finches and canaries like toys with threads and feather or hair-like material that they can pull and preen. They also are interested in shiny objects and toys that make noise. Here are some examples that are appropriate for small birds:

Bells are small toys that finches and canaries like to pull to ring and jingle.

Raffia-like strands are great for small birds as they don’t get tangled or frayed, but are fun to rustle and pull out for nesting material.

Small paper toys are fun for preening and pulling, and also don’t become tangled or knotted.

Sisal is a natural rope material that is excellent for preening and picking at.

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Tents

In the wild, parrots typically do not build their own nests- instead they find empty cavities in logs or trees to nest in. Because they seek out small, dark spaces for security, many owners like to offer tents for their birds. Tents are quite popular with parrotlets, lovebirds, lineolated parrots, conures, and some larger parrots. They come in different shapes, sizes, and materials; some are long, tube-like, and open at both ends, while others are triangular, or only have 1 opening.

Many larger parrots will think a tent is a toy and tear them up quickly instead of using them! But, even the little birds will chew holes in their tents so it is important to check them frequently for holes and loose threads, both of which can be hazardous.

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Foot Toys

Even though they’re equipped with 2 legs and no arms, parrots are quite adept at manipulating objects with their feet- even balanced on one leg! Sometimes their grasp is full of food, a tasty nut, a feather to itch themselves with, or a chunk of toy. This tactile experience can be very engaging for a parrot, and even humorous to watch for us when their foot has a mind of it’s own! Playing with foot toys can build curiosity, dexterity, and excitement.

Foot toys can be an important play item that you and your bird can interact with together. These foot toys can be small wood shapes, leather knots and pieces, little wiffle balls, in-shell nuts, or wooden/plastic beads on a rope. This tiny-toy approach is a novel way to play, and may even help encourage older birds that are intimidated by large hanging toys, to play as well. Avoid coins, unknown metals and magnets, and other unsafe materials.

Foot toys can be left on the bottom of the cage, but they may get pooped on! Some birds never venture down to the bottom of their cage, but you can always bring the toys to them! Create a toy-bowl for your bird with any medium-sized bowl or dish that you can hang or attach to the cage. Fill it with small, parrot-safe, hand-held items, and even a few dry edible treats. When your bird is out of the cage, remove the bowl (and refill it if needed) and move it to a safe flat surface with your bird for more playtime!

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Birdy Bagels

Birdy bagels are a great, inexpensive toy that can be enjoyed by all kinds of birds! They come in a variety of sizes and colors, and can be used as foot toys, toy parts, swings, foraging material, or just to slide over the perches! These versatile toys are made of clean parchment paper and food-grade adhesive so they are non-toxic. Most birds love peeling the color from the outside, and then chewing and shredding the rest of the ring. Bird bagels also come in tubes and “caves” for birds that like to hide and play.