FAQ: Toys for birds

Birds get used to the same toys and lose interest. Rotating them keeps the bird occupied.

Choose toys sized for the bird and check that they are sturdy enough for larger species.

In the wild birds spend most of the day foraging, climbing and chewing, and in a cage toys help meet those needs. They reduce boredom, stress and unwanted behaviour such as feather plucking or constant screaming.

Boredom can show as constant screaming, feather plucking, repetitive pacing in the cage, chewing the bars or indifference to its surroundings. Some of these signs can also be linked to illness, so if they appear suddenly, talk to a vet.

Feather plucking can have many causes, including illness, diet and stress, so the bird should first be examined by a vet. Once health problems are ruled out, more chew and foraging toys often help reduce plucking caused by boredom.

It is often recommended to keep several toys of different types in the cage at once, such as a chew toy, a foraging toy and a moving one. They should not take up so much space that the bird has no room to move and spread its wings.

Yes, a single bird has no one to interact with, so toys and the owner’s attention matter especially. Toys do not replace companionship, but they help keep the bird busy when nobody is at home.

Canaries and finches play less than parrots; space to fly, natural branches and a bath matter more to them. Still, small foraging items, swings or hanging bunches of grasses can interest them.

No, toys complement but do not replace time outside the cage and interaction with people. Most parrots need some supervised time out of the cage every day, where they can fly and explore.

The common types are chew and shredding toys, foraging toys, swings, ladders, mirrors, bells, balls and foot toys, puzzles and play gyms. Each one meets a different need of the bird.

Budgies like small bells, swings, ladders, light balls, and paper or softwood chew toys. Choose toys made for small birds, without long threads or small removable parts.

Cockatiels like shredding paper, palm leaf and softwood, swinging and climbing ladders. Toys for small to medium birds suit them, and some happily play with balls on the floor or a table.

Lovebirds are very active and love to chew, so toys of softwood, paper, palm leaf and other shreddable materials suit them. They often carry bits of toys around, so a toy should not have small metal parts.

Conures are playful and enjoy shredding, swinging, climbing and searching for hidden food. Sturdy toys for medium-sized birds suit them; some like to burrow into hides, but it is worth asking a vet about their effect on hormones.

African greys are very intelligent, so puzzles, foraging toys and chew toys with varied textures suit them especially well. Many are wary of new objects, so introduce new toys gradually.

Amazons like tough chew toys, foraging and games with their owner. Toys for medium and large birds made of harder wood, leather and thick rope suit them.

Macaws need large, very sturdy toys of hardwood, thick rope and chunky parts they cannot break or swallow. Toys for small birds are dangerous for a macaw, because it can crush them and swallow the pieces.

Cockatoos are very strong, clever and bore quickly, so they need plenty of shredding and chew toys as well as puzzles. They are good at undoing bolts and clips, so toy fittings must be especially secure.

Parrotlets suit small but sturdy toys, as these tiny parrots have strong beaks. They like softwood, paper, balls and small foraging toys.

Pigeons and doves play differently from parrots, so foraging on the ground, a bath and safe space to walk suit them better. Scattering seed among straw or on a mat can be a great activity for them.