Since birds are so intelligent, it is cruel and
unusual punishment to lock them up in a cage with
nothing to do - they must have a variety of toys
and interaction with people or other birds. Birds
without toys are easily bored, and bored birds
shriek, bite and pluck out their feathers.
Offer your bird two types of toys - ones he
can destroy (such as wood) because
he needs to chew on things, and ones he can play with
(such as ropes and bells).
Birds love and can distinguish colors, so the
more brightly colored, the better. Make
sure the toys aren’t cheaply made with
toxic dyes, but with safe cake or vegetable dyes.
Rotate the toys often and consider offering
him a choice of toys daily in a basket where
he can select the ones he wishes to play with.
Never offer plastic toys to anything larger
than a budgie; parrots will quickly crack those
toys and cut themselves.
If you hang any toy in the cage, be sure it
is on a short, thick rope or chain - a long thin
string can strangle your bird.
Birds love to be told stories which include
their name, such as: “Once upon a
time, there was a pudgy, green Amazon named Pepi. One
day Pepi fell from a tree. . .” It
may not really matter what words are interspersed
with his name, but a steady stream of words about
him captures his curiosity and helps you to bond.
When you leave, consider playing music for
your bird. Birds love music and most have
definite tastes - some preferring soft classical,
and others being staunch fans of The Grateful
Dead.
