Toys of all materials are important for parrots: wood toys, soft toys, foraging, and more. But, there is one classic toy that always tries to find its way into shopping carts and into cages: mirrors.
Mirrors can provide enrichment, and many parrots love interacting with the “other bird”, so what’s the problem? Birds can become so enamored with themselves that it is the only thing they want to spend time with. They whistle, flirt, dance, and sometimes even try to feed their reflection. Try to come between them and their “friend” and they probably won’t be very pleased with you.
The biggest obstacle with mirrors occurs when they are placed in the cage with a new, young, or untamed bird. Because many parrots are social in nature, finding a “friend” in their reflection may be detrimental to the training process. Even with frequent handling, they will still have more daily interaction with the mirror due to the amount of time spent in the cage. In situations like these, mirrors should be reserved until after a bond has been established between you and your parrot. Mirrors can also be saved and used as a special activity for playtime outside of the cage.