Old Toy is New Again

During this rainy week, I dug into some of the bins of old toys.  I have lots and lots of toys and toy parts.  Probably most parrot households have this same accumulation!  I came across a toy that has plastic chain and a large plastic bell.  I remember putting it away because it was so noisy!  Well, I installed it into Joshua's cage and he loves it!  He hangs from it and does battle with it.  Joshua is a very active grey! 

It doesn't take much to improve a parrot's environment.  A new perch or toy or a food bowl placed in an unusual place can remedy their boredom in a moment.  

Sometimes a cage setup gets very static.  We don't bother to change it up.  This may be due to our feeling that new things scare our birds, or it may be due to our busy lives.  Our parrots are with us for many years and we have the responsibility to keep them challenged and entertained.  A simple rearrangement of what's in the cage or an addition of something new will spark interest in most birds. 

If a bird is terrified of new things, you can work on this anxiety.  Placing the new object near the cage and pretending to play with it in an animated way will get your bird accustomed to it.

Whenever you add something that may be perceived as scary, make sure you don't put it near the parrot's food or water bowls.  You want to introduce "scary things" in the most remote corner of the cage, not where the bird roosts for the night, etc.
 
One common method of introduction when a bird is nervous about new things is to place it in the room but within sight away from the cage, then move it to the outside of the cage, then move it to the far corners of the inside, and then it can be placed in the center.

Remember to calmly talk about the new item and play with it yourself near the bird.  This will go a long way towards showing your bird that the new toy is fun.

Joshua?  Afraid?  Not on your life!  He went right over and attacked the toy with gusto!