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Thread: Bird Boredom

 
  1. #1
    Nobility Member
    spiritbird's Avatar


    Parrots

    Lineated Parakeet named Kobe (M) and (F) named Tango Maine Coon Kitty named Christine

    Bird Boredom

    What do you do to prevent bird boredom? I try to put myself in their place sometimes and just imagine how boring a being locked up on a cage can be for them. Tango still has a few more feather to go before she can fly so Kobe sticks with her on the floor when out of cage. The floor is a boring place for a bird too. Here are a few things we can do:

    Rotate the toys How often? I do it about once per week and it seems to renew their interest in them.

    Teach your bird some tricks. I must admit I do not do this.

    Play music or nature sounds. This is a good one.

    At feeding time offer a variety of options for you bird to choose from. This gives them the opportunity to choose. Maybe even think

    One on one attention and playtime with them out of the cage

    People enthusiastically bopping and grooving often inspires even the most sluggish parrot into some dancing activity at least in terms of head bobbing

    Move the location of the cage, perhaps in front of a window so they can see outside for a while.

    You can make play gyms much more interesting with the idea of “the foraging tree.” This concept might keep a wandering cockatoo in one place, at least for a little while. In addition to the usual toys, hang multiple foraging devices on the cockatoo tree, giving these super-intelligent birds multiple problems to solve. This configuration is much more interesting than a toy alone and could be helpful in keeping those wandering “chain saws” occupied. Climbing nets are also fun for the birds.

    Place a treat in a paper cup, paper towel, empty envelope, coffee filter or other nontoxic item, and close it by twisting or crushing the container. Then you can punch a hole in it, and hang it in the cage, or hang it on a skewer. For more difficulty, the wrap can be offered as a foot toy or hidden around a parrot’s cage.

    Fill a bowl with appropriately sized, well-scrubbed pebbles (large enough that a parrot cannot swallow them and small enough that it can move them around). Sprinkle a couple of teaspoons of small treats over the rocks, and jiggle the bowl to get the tiny morsels to drop below the pebbles. Big birds love this game and will spend as long as an hour chuckling while rummaging around in the metal baking dish, trying valiantly to find all the precious sunflower seeds she buried there. A shallow dish is best for this one and also supervision.

    So we need to "think our of the cage" once in a while and I bet you already do this. What are some of the things you have done to create boredom busters for your birds?

  2. The following 3 users like this post:

    Casper's 2nd best friend (12-15-2015), Lady (12-16-2015), wingman (12-15-2015)

  3. #2
    Senior Member
    Robyn's Avatar


    Parrots

    White Faced Cockatiel - Riley. Heavy Pied Cockatiel - Carolina
    I make sure they have several perches for every perch there is 1-2 toys I make sure to cover all the toy groups foraging, preening, shredding gand noise making. I cater towards what they want the most of at the moment (currently they love to shred) I also have a tent like thing in there sitting on a perch because my vet told me they would like a dark place to sleep they don't go near it. I also have a play stand with more toys and foraging opportunities. I can tell when Riley is getting bored with his cage set up as that is when he gets loud and doesn't stop "singing" (he sounds like scuttle)

  4. The following user likes this post:

    spiritbird (12-15-2015)

  5. #3
    Senior Member
    Casper's 2nd best friend's Avatar


    Parrots

    Casper, a blue fronted Amazon. Loves banana. Hates plastic bags and red coats.
    As you said Dianne leaving music on is excellent if you have to go out, or even people talking on the radio. Casper also enjoys wildlife DVDs and children's films especially if they actually have children in because he loves to hear children's voices. We put his cage by the window in the summer so he can see what's going on outside. It is on the other side of the room next to the radiator now winter is here.
    Big cardboard boxes keep him amused for ages - he makes his own windows and doorways and love being in his hideaway.
    "A busy beak is a happy beak" - David Strom

  6. #4
    Nobility Member
    spiritbird's Avatar


    Parrots

    Lineated Parakeet named Kobe (M) and (F) named Tango Maine Coon Kitty named Christine
    Here is a video intended to entertain a parrot. I used to have this on a disc and play on the tv.


  7. The following user likes this post:

    Christinenc2000 (06-06-2016)

  8. #5
    Super Moderator
    Lady's Avatar


    Parrots

    Illiger Macaw (Primolius maracana)
    New toys, rearranging the cage and the contents as well as moving into a different room are the things I do most.

  9. The following user likes this post:

    spiritbird (12-16-2015)

  10. #6
    Senior Member
    Robyn's Avatar


    Parrots

    White Faced Cockatiel - Riley. Heavy Pied Cockatiel - Carolina
    I also don't have water dishes my birds drink from water bottles one is spring loaded the other is not so the birds have to figure out which is which and do more work with one than the other.

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