FAQ: Toys for birds

Chains in bird toys should be sturdy, made of safe metal and sized so that a toe, nail or beak cannot get caught in the links. Long, thin chains pose a greater risk in toys for small birds.

Screw-closed quick links and stainless steel hooks without exposed springs are considered the safest. Spring-loaded snap clips are sometimes used, but a bird can catch its beak or tongue in them, so they are best avoided.

Rings of a size that lets the bird’s head slip through but then get stuck pose a strangulation risk. Choose rings that are either very small or large enough for the bird to pass its whole body through freely.

Yes, long ropes, threads and frayed fibres can wrap around a bird’s toe, leg or neck. Keep ropes short, trim loose fibres and throw the toy away when it becomes badly worn.

Yes, some birds pull out a bell’s clapper and may swallow it, and jingle-style bells with a slot can trap a toe or beak. Choose bells with a firmly fixed clapper and no narrow slots.

Check that the toy suits the bird’s size and has no small loose parts, long threads, narrow gaps, sharp edges or questionable metal. Also inspect toys in use regularly, because they wear over time.

Watch that the bird eats, passes droppings and behaves normally. If it swallowed metal or a large piece, or you see vomiting, lethargy, changes in droppings or breathing difficulty, contact a vet immediately.

Not always: children’s toys may contain small parts, batteries, soft plastic, paint and metal that are dangerous to a bird. If you do want to give such an item, such as a hard plastic ring or block, make sure it is large, sturdy and unpainted, and watch the bird.

A bird can chew through the casing and reach the battery, which is very dangerous if swallowed or damaged. Only use battery-powered toys designed for birds, and only under supervision.

A swing is not essential, but many birds love one: they can rest, swing and practise balance on it. Swings are especially popular in the cages of budgies, cockatiels and other small parrots.

The swing’s perch should match the bird’s size, and the frame must be wide enough that the bird’s head and tail do not rub. Choose sturdy models made of safe materials with a secure hook.

Hang the swing in the upper part of the cage, but so that the swinging bird does not hit the walls, perches or other toys. It should not hang above the food and water dishes, so droppings do not fall into them.

At first you can fix the swing so it does not move, or hang it lower down, away from the favourite spot. Once the bird starts sitting on it, gradually let it swing freely.

The most common are wooden, rope and acrylic swings, sometimes with beads or bells. Wood and rope are kinder to the feet, while acrylic lasts longer, so the choice depends on how hard the bird chews.

Yes, small swings with a thin perch suit canaries and finches too, which like to rest on them. It matters that they do not block the flight path through the middle of the cage.

A ring swing is a round hoop with a perch at the bottom where the bird can swing and climb. It should be big enough for the bird to fit inside without its head touching, and have no gaps it could get stuck in.

Replace a swing when the perch is badly chewed, the rope is frayed, the hook has loosened or decorative parts are starting to come off. Check it each time you clean the cage.

Ladders encourage a bird to climb, strengthen the leg muscles and connect different levels of the cage. They are especially useful for birds that fly little, and for young and older birds.

The rung thickness should suit the bird’s feet, and the gaps between rungs must not be a size that could trap a head or leg. Wooden ladders suit most birds, while flexible rope or wooden ladders let you create a curved path.

Ladders are handy fixed between two perches, from the floor to a perch, or diagonally against a side. They should not block the door, feeders or the bird’s flight path.