Toys NEED supervision

Written by Sal Salafia, Certified Avian Specialist, Founder of Exotic Pet Birds Inc.

Regardless of who you buy your toys from, who created them/manufactured them or where they are located in the environment of your birds cage; one thing is true they can become a weapon against your bird. Bird toys are all designed to be interacted with in some way or another and accidents will happen at some point in your bird’s life while interacting with a toy. I know I know, you’ve had your bird for years and you have never had it happen yet, that doesn’t mean it can’t. I’ve been a bird store retailer for years now selling thousands of bird toys around the USA. I’ve heard horror stories of people that had found the most precarious scenarios unfold in their birds environment. Toys from us, toys not from us, toys that were hand made. It doesn’t matter! Birds can get into trouble! Why? Remember when we always revert back to referring to how birds are like 3-year-olds who never grow up? This is meant to be a consistent reminder to us all that these highly intelligent animals are also highly capable of creating great peril to themselves when left to their own devices. Now I’m not advocating to remove all your bird’s toys from their cage when you aren’t around. This is simply a reminder to check, double check and triple-check all toys you bring home. Toys are all designed with one common theme: they are meant to break and be destroyed. This means they do have an end use, and it’s up to the caretaker to figure out when that is. Depending on the toy and interest level of the bird in that toy this can last from an hour to months. You must decide. An hour for a toy to last!? Yes!! An hour! Ever watch a teething puppy take down a chew toy? Your bird’s beak likely has more power than that puppy's tiny developing teeth!

What are the highlights to check for?

I suggest starting at the hanging clasp- check to ensure it’s secure not damaged and non-functioning. If your bird toy has felt, rope or any sort of fiber ensure it’s intact and not being ingested. If your bird toy has wood, make sure it’s not become dangerous, carved removing off small pieces. Cut back unraveled rope pieces on rope toys to ensure birds can’t tangle. In this vein, ensure any foraging toys don’t have fibers that can tangle up birds.

I hope today’s wake up call saves a bird, a daily walk through on toys is a must! Let keep those birds alive safe and happy!