Parrots are very smart and playful birds; they are very emotionally intelligent, and need constant mental stimulation. If your parrot would’ve have been in the wild, it would have other parrots to talk to, and a lot of challenging things to do. But, in captivity, you should provide parrot toys to entertain it! Bird toys are not a luxury, they are absolutely mandatory. It’s a psychological necessity that you cannot just ignore. This article is going to talk about the importance of toys, and why are they so essential for your bird’s mental health.
Intelligence and Boredom
A Harvard study tells us that a parrot can pass a classic intelligence test! The study says that the African grey parrot can perform the cognitive tasks that a 5-years-old child can. Other parrots, like the Amazons and Macaws, also have the cognitive abilities of a toddler. It’s clear that parrots are actually smart animals, one of the smartest actually. And, as a toddler, they need entertainment. There are a lot of things they can do, but the most common ones are:
- Solving puzzles
- Understand cause and effect
- Communicate with intent
- Exhibit emotional responses
If you just lock in intelligent creature in a cage, fed it and give it water, it’s going to get bored. A lot of parrots, because they are not provided with parrot toys, become depressed. No creature wants to be confided in a room with nothing to do. Bird toys are just as necessary as food and water. As previously mentioned, in the wild, the parrot could’ve found endless ways to entertain itself (play with other parrots, explore, fly, searching food, etc.); so, you want to make sure that you can replace those activities. Parrots that don’t have toys often start plucking their feathers, self-mutilating, and they become aggressive.
Parrot Toys and Their Benefits
As you can probably tell, not all parrot toys serve the same purpose. If you care about the mental health of your parrot, you should make sure that it has several types of toys. A parrot has different intellectual needs, and each one of them must be met. First there are the foraging toys; these mimic the natural behavior of searching for food. Your parrot must use their problem-solving skills to find the hidden treat! Destructible toys are another essential, because parrots like to year things apart. It helps them reduce stress, and it also keeps their beak in good condition.
If there is something that parrots love, it’s puzzles! They like toys that makes them figure out how a certain mechanism work (what lever to pull, or what button to push). Puzzles improve the problem-solving skills of the parrot, and keep it entertained at the same time. Exercise toys are also very necessary, because parrots need to exercise. Climbing, hanging, swinging, and flying, are needed in order to keep your parrot healthy. It improves their coordination and cardiovascular health. So, it’s not just about the parrot not being bored, it’s about their health too. As humans, animals need to move!
Social toys, or interactive toys, such as talking devices or mirrors, can offer some comfort. Of course that these kind of toys do not replace real companionship, but they can help. It could stimulate vocalization, and reduces the sense of loneliness. Now, as a tip, constantly rotate these types of toys. If the parrot will have to interact for the same toy for many days in a row, boredom and anger will start showing. You want to change the toy every few days, or when you notice that the parrot is bored of it. Variety helps keep the brain excited.
How Many Bird Toys Do You Need?
You might ask yourself about the number of bird toys that you need to buy. Well, it typically depends on the specie, and the parrot itself. But, just to be safe, you need to have approximately seven or eight toys to offer at a time. It’s ideal that the toys are different, and fulfill every need that the parrot has. If your parrot is screaming, destroying their food bowl or plucking feathers, or maybe chewing on the cage bars, you need to buy more toys (or different ones). Pay attention to the type of toys that your parrot likes the most, and buy variations of it.
Parrots like to feel successful, so a problem-solving toy is definitely necessary. Curiosity is another big element of their personality, so introducing different toys will keep them happy. They need to exercise, so get them something they can climb on! Having a few different toys for each of these needs can help you create new sets every time. If your parrot doesn’t like one of the toys, you will probably be able to tell. Notice their behavior, and remove the toys that they don’t like.
Is Human Interaction Still Necessary?
To put it simply, yes! You cannot just throw a creature some toys and expect it to just entertain itself all the time. You should have some kind of routine; some time outside the cage, when you discuss and play with your parrot. Even if the parrot is in the cage, try to always talk and interact. Try to teach the parrot new things, tell it jokes, and spend time together as you would with a dog or a cat. Parrot toys are essential, but so is human interaction!
Parrots really like spending time with you, and are almost always eager to communicate. Ideally, you should talk with you parrot daily. Your pet needs to feel love and affection. Loneliness and boredom makes them aggressive towards themselves and others; so it will affect your relationship with it too. You must create a space that’s safe, comfortable, and fun.
Conclusion
If you love your parrot, bird toys are a must! Think of the life and environment the bird would have in nature, and try to offer as much as that as you can. With diverse toys and some affection, you can keep your pet happy and curious!
