Why providing birds with toys is SO important.

[Robyn]

During this term at school I am taking a psychology class and learned something that I felt needs to be shared with the bird community. A common concern is that someones bird doesn't play with toys and they want to know why and how to make it play with toys. It has toys in it's cage but never touches them. Instead their bird screams or plucks. They did a study on rats which I have no doubt applies to birds as well. They had the rats in two groups one group had toys and such from the time they were born until adult hood the other group had none. When the two groups were adults they gave the group that had no toys for their entire lives toys. What they found was the neuro pathways that the rats used to play with their toys did not exist in the brains of the group that never had toys. The rats literally did not know what the toy was or how to play with it. They also found the more toys and enrichment the rats had the stronger these neuro pathways became.

This just further reinforces what many members keep saying about how important enrichment is in your birds life. The reason it takes so long for rescue birds or even older birds that are not used to toys to play with one is because they literally do not know what it is or what they are supposed to do with it. If you get a bird from a breeder be sure to start giving it toys right away so that they will know how to play with them. Give them several toys so they know how to play with all kinds of toys. If your bird doesn't play with toys you have to show them. Many problem behaviors can be solved with your bird learning how to play with toys and to self entertain.

[spiritbird]

Nice post. Thanks for the information

[Merrick]

Wow I thought it worked something like that but never to that extent thanks for sharing

[Casper's 2nd best friend]

For the first twenty five years of his life all Casper had was a bell in his cage. I am surprised he is as well adjusted as he is - he has never plucked. He still doesn't really play with things but does enjoy splitting wooden items and nibbling away at cardboard boxes. He also loves getting under the newspaper we put down where he poops and walking around the room with it over himself. We try to encourage him when he does start playing but maybe he is too mature now. Prefers to go exploring and climbing.

[Robyn]

For the longest time Riley preferred bells but now he prefers vine balls or rings.

[tropics1989]

You know what I tell people when I am educating I make references toward people so they relate better. It's like locking yourself in a room with nothing. An empty room. What are you going to do all day every day twittle your thumbs? How fun. Lol. Great information :) I love giving my birds toys! So does my bank account jk on that part but they know when I bring that dr foster and smith box in from the porch it's fun time!