It’s Parrot Playtime!

One of the most enjoyable aspects of living with parrots is watching them at play. And what is most amazing about these incredible creatures are their styles of play. Although some birds definitely have preferred play styles, almost every parrot needs a bit of each different type of play to make their day complete.

In the wild, parrots spend their time getting food, preening, and shredding materials to build nests, they’re incredibly active throughout the day. Even though human-raised parrots live in our homes, they are not domesticated, but in fact remain wild creatures at heart. It’s up to us, their humans, to provide them with not only their preferred playthings, but a variety of play experiences.

There is no better way to ensure that your bird has a well-rounded play experience than to provide them with different types of toys, and then watch them play. Just watch them. Note what type of toy they spend the most time with, and their manner of playing with it.

If a destructible toy is soon reduced to bits and pieces, you’ll know that toy was extremely successful. If your bird rattles and shakes toys, they have an affinity for sound. And if a bird loves to bounce on a boing, they are definitely action fans.

It is a fact that every bird needs an array of play experiences throughout their day, even if one play activity is more favored that the other. We’ve come up with a collection of Grey Feather toys that provides the complete play experience for your bird, and the most complete birdie toy collection!

    * Here’s a list of tips for making small changes to further enhance your bird’s play experience!

• Squishy - This wonderfully crunchy and shreddable toy is available in both hanging and side mount versions. Hide organic macadamia nuts or organic mixed nuts between the layers for some extra foraging fun or thread leather knots between the layers of seagrass to intrigue the inquiring beak in your home.
   
• Cotton Boing Bungie Swings and Cotton Trapeze Swing - Boing Bungie Swings can be hung vertically AND horizontally. The vertical position encourages climbing and bouncing while the horizontal position allows your bird to climb on, in and through the boing. If your bird loves to spin, he or she will love to take a turn on the Cotton Trapeze Swing. Another layer of fun can be added to both the Cotton Trapeze Swing and the Boing Bungie Swings by hanging another smaller toy inside it. With these two toys, the possibilities are endless for the feathered action hero in your life!
   
• Pantaloonies - Offering a multitude of pleasures, Pantaloonies encourages diversity in your parrot’s natural behavior. Preening is a primary need, and the soft cotton rope of this toy provides preening opportunities galore. This toy is especially good for birds that over-preen themselves. In the wild, birds often like to hide under branches or tree boughs. This wild behavior is still present in our birds, and Pantaloonies gives even large birds good "hideage". They love to hunker down underneath the strands of rope. Chewing birds can also indulge in nibbling while hiding, because Pantaloonies offers a plethora of delectable, chewable pieces, including the shreddable hat that can be easily replaced once it’s destroyed.

For even more extra texture, add leather knots or beads and nuts can be inserted between in the layers of seagrass. Grey Feather Toys Paper Chew Stix can also be placed in the toy for another chewing sensation.

• Circus Big Top - Another source of chewing joy! The upwards facing seagrass basket makes a perfect hiding place for treats--and other items, like nuts, can be hidden between the layers of the seagrass basket! Available in medium and small sizes.
   
• Megafone - If your bird likes to make some noise, this toy is the perfect plaything. Aside from the attractive sound of the stainless steel washer on the chain, this toy acts as a birdie echo chamber. Birds love to stick their heads inside it and talk away. To add even more play value, thread a piece of leather through the chain and add beads, and you can add some supreme cotton rope for preening.
   
• Colossal Spoon - This toy is a true joy for the noise-maker in your home! Feathered lovers of sound adore shaking this toy. And the hanging spoon can be put to other uses as well! Add organic almond butter to the spoon, sprinkle some sesame seeds on the almond butter, and you’ve got a sweet treat for any beak!

These toys are just a few suggestions for providing well-rounded daily play for your bird. We here at Grey Feather Toys want to make sure your bird has the most complete play experience possible, so we’re always offering specials and promotions, so stop back often and see what we have in store for your birdy!

Until next time, Happy Playing!

By Monica Gonzalez
Published 9/1/08.
© Grey Feather Toys, LLC, LLC™