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Parrots are very intelligent creatures that while in the wild get to indulge their curiosity by flying and exploring the world around them. They tend to fly from tree to tree, peck at interesting things and forage for food.
What happens when this creature becomes a pet? There is significantly less physical and mental activity unless the pet owner makes a conscious effort to provide both. Parrots toys are a great way to provide mental stimulation and to generate some physical activity also.
One of the basic things to remember when choosing a toy for your parrot is DO pick something that is size appropriate. DON'T get a big toy for a small bird such as a Green-Cheek Conures or Quaker Parrot or a tiny toy for a larger bird such as a Cockatoo or Macaw. This can be frustrating and can even lead to injuries.
When choosing parrot toys DO keep in mind the activities that your bird enjoys. Parrots love to chew, they like shredding and they like to peer into nooks and crannies. The best toys are those that build on these natural instincts and allow the birds to stay engaged while doing so.
Wooden and paper toys are good materials for them to chew on and toy manufacturers use soft to hard woods to provide varied levels of challenge for the birds. Very often parrots toys include raw hide as it provides the birds something to chew on.
A variety of textures can be very stimulating to a parrot so DO pick parrot toys which incorporate varied materials or pick toys made of varied materials. Other than wood and paper, you will also find commercial toys that have introduced clothing material, cotton ropes, coconut fibers and raffia in imaginative ways so as to provide variety for the birds.
DO pick toys that have a puzzle quality to them as that will serve the purpose of mentally engaging the parrot. Some of these toys have a space where you can hide a nut or small treat because that will give the bird the joy of foraging and the emotional high of succeeding.
Remember that parrots are very intelligent, and in that sense, their toys have to serve the purpose that infant toys are supposed to serve. It is to keep them entertained but it is also to ensure that they get to use their capabilities.
At this point, it should also be pointed out that you need to gradually increase the complexity of your parrots' toys. There is nothing more frustrating for you and your bird than to start with the most complicated toy in the market. Yes, it may be the ultimate combination of texture and puzzle, but it will be best to work up to that stage. DON'T drop that on your parrot at the very beginning.
Toys can also be about physical exercise. You would like to get your bird a lot of flying time but that may sometimes not be feasible. A well chosen toy can help them work off some of their energy. DO pick toys with movable parts such as ring swings and varied levels of dowels can encourage movement in parrots.
There are also foot toys which are specially intended for parrots to manipulate with their feet. There may be something to open and some simple mechanism to work which can keep parrots happily engaged for a while.
There is no overstating the emotional value of toys for parrots but there are a few things to keep in mind here. DON'T see your role as merely providing an extravagance of playthings and leaving the parrot to his or her own devices.
DO monitor the appeal of each toy you introduce and replace ones that are not working. It will also be most productive to introduce one toy at a time and to rotate between a few so as to prevent boredom from over-exposure.
And remember that while the toys provide much needed stimulation, it will not be a complete replacement of the time you need to interact with your smart pet. Make sure you DON'T let that happen!
In terms of parrot safety, DO make sure you select toys that are made of safe materials such as nontoxic plastic, natural fibers and organic dyes and untreated wood and avoid toys that have chemically processed leather, zinc, lead or treated wood.
When you choose a toy with a rope element watch out for frayed material as this can be disastrous for parrots. As mentioned earlier, DO pick size appropriate toys so that your bird will not get a head or toe stuck in an awkward place or angle.
And as a part of your safety awareness, DO inspect toys that your bird is playing with frequently and replace broken or worn out ones promptly.
It may take some thinking and choosing but your bird will definitely benefit from the effort you put into picking your parrot's toys.
The author, Karla Deacon, is an expert parrot enthusiast. For more great information about parrots toys visit ParrotCareBasics.com.
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