get that parrot playing!

Get That Parrot Playing!

A Phoenix Landing PresentationBy

Laura Ford

“Play” is a group of activities that our Companion Parrots do in our homes that replace the natural activities that would occupy the day of wild parrots. These activities are not frivolous, optional things, but are critical to the mental, emotional and even physical health of our companion parrots.

What Is Play?

Life of Parrots in the Wild Search for Food & Water Evading Predators Bathing and Preening Social Interaction with

the FlockChoosing a MateFinding nesting sitesRaising ChicksFlying, Flying, Flying

Certainly we do not want to recreate for our companion parrots all of the activities of wild parrots, such as the need to evade predators, or mating, nesting & raising chicks.

What we do want to encourage are thenatural activities that are often called play; preening, snuggling or battling toys, exploring, manipulating, chewing, foraging, socializing with the flock (avian & human).

Why is Play Important?

Play require parrots to be active, to use their bodies and their minds, which helps keep parrots physically and intellectually healthy. Physical and mental activity stimulate the release of endorphins, which help keep parrots happy.


Temple Grandin, Ph.D. Animals Make Us Human…Creating the Best Life for Animals

“A good life requires 3 things, Health, Freedom from pain and negative emotions, Lots of activities that turn on PLAY and SEEKING”

Dr. Grandin explains how Seeking is a core emotion for animals (and people) and defines it as the basic impulse to search, investigate, and make sense of the environment.


Although, through this presentation we are using the word “play”, in my home, we call these activities “work”, it is our parrots’ job chew-up / interact with their “toys”. Toy are really the tools for a parrot to do their job. It is our responsibility to provide our parrots the tools and the skills they need to do their jobs.

The Job of Play

Play Styles A Practical Parrot Guide Parrot-Toys & Play Areas: How to Put Some Fun Into your Parrot’s Life by Carol S. D’Arezzo and Lauren Shannon-Nunn

High EnergyParrots that are always on the moveMay or may not be serious chewersTend to be rambunctious and sometimes mischievousThey like to do battle with their toys


Low energyThese are the parrots

that are perch potatoesPeaceful and sedateTend to be more detail-orientedSome are heavy chewers, many are notPrefer to have toys within easy reach, and

may not go out of their way to reach a distant toy

They often prefer toys to preen and weave, puzzles that require concentration, softer destructible toys and toys with multiple textures


ManipulatorsParrots that loves to take things apartDisassemble their toys, their cages and gymsAccomplished escape artistsSatisfaction from unscrewing the quick link that holds up a toy and watching the toy fall to the bottom of the cage with a satisfying crash


Buzz SawsParrots that need wood and plenty of itBeak-oriented and need a constant supply

of things to chewWill often destroy their perches Destructive nature can be challengingLarger buzz saws enjoy the challenge of

hard wood toys


WeaversArtistic typesCan spend hours weaving things in and out of plastic chain links or through cage bars They like to stuff things into tiny holes in other toysStrands of sea grass, palm fronds, raffia, ribbon, leather or jute provide endless fun for weaving and preening


GatherersThis type of parrot likes to collect things like: Bits of toys,foot toys, foodSome pile up their collection and some hide their treasures inside other things in their cage


AcrobatsThese are the clowns of

parrotsEnjoy hanging by a toenail than standing on two feetLike lying on their backs or even standing on their

headsSwings, hanging rope or

chain, and bungees/boingsare favorites for these guys


Hide and SeekersParrot that peers out at you

from their secret spotLike their own private hideaway

like huts and tubes


CompanionsParrots that substitute toys for a cage-mate rather than something to chew up/destroyRarely destroy their toys, but snuggles next to them

Toy Categories A Practical Parrot Guide Parrot-Toys & Play Areas: How to Put Some Fun Into your Parrot’s Life by Carol S. D’Arezzo and Lauren Shannon-Nunn

Destructible toys provide your parrot with:An outlet to express the natural urge to

chewEncourages and teaches your parrot to

chew on acceptable items, saves household items

Destructible toys can be:Wooden, Shreddable, Plastic, Baskets,

Paper, or Cardboard


Comfort toys provide your parrot with:A sense of securityA safe place to hide and sleep

Comfort toys can be:Tents, Rings, Swings

Comfort toys can be soft, furry pieces of material that your parrots can cuddle and preen


If your parrot likes to undo locks and escape from it’s cage, you should try someInteractive toysStainless steel nuts and bolts are great and simple Manipulative toysA lot of interactive toys for human babies/small children have sound – parrots love sound

These could be any baby type toysDifferent type parrot safe puzzles


Foraging means to search for some desirable item, usually for food.There are many commercially made foraging toys available to buy.When making your own foraging toys, incorporate food items, such as pasta, ice cream cones, or rounds of melba toast, dehydrated fruits or vegetables, and bird muffins, as toy parts.Or include containers, such as cups, bowls, baskets or buckets in the construction of the toy, which treats can be tucked into.


A Foot Toy is any toy or toy part that can be picked up and held in the foot.

Many toys will fall into more than one category.

Safety ConsiderationsNo toy is 100% safe!Some birds may ingest wood or plastic or fabricSome birds like to wrap toys around their necks, make sure any ropes

or chains are short enough they can not strangle themselves.Check to make sure there are no parts that your bird could become entangled in, chains or rings that are either too small for a foot or head, or well large enough to not get stuck in.Trim any frayed strings that could get wrapped around a toe.Make sure quick links are closed.

Location MattersSome toys are not safe to leave your bird alone with, but are fine when you are close by and can supervise.

Safety Considerations

Why Make Your Own Toys?Commercially available toys that are affordable are usually very low quality, and good toys tend to be expensive.

When you make your own toys, you can make safe high quality toys at a reasonable price. This saves money, which means you can make more toys, for your birds, to give to friends’ birds, or donate to parrot rescue groups.

Why Make Your Own Toys?You can customize toys for your bird. Start with materials they already like and add new varieties of material, texture, color and shape. Pairing familiar material with novel ones allows even birds who are fearful of new things to slowly learn to enjoy exploring new items.

Why Make Your Own Toys?

Allowing your bird to watch you while you build a toy for them, watch you handle and play with the parts so they see that there is no danger, watch you threading, tying, constructing parts may peek their curiosity and encourage them to try and deconstruct the toy, or at least touch it, which is a good start.

Getting Started Making ToysTo start you really only need to be able to use scissors, tweezers, thread things on rope, and tie knots. As you gain more confidence you will probably want to learn to use power tools, like saws and drills. If you ask around you will probably find someone, spouse, sibling, parent, friend, neighbor, or co-worker who has some tool experience and would be willing to help, or if not, most larger stores that sell tools will have someone on staff to show you how to use them, and may even have classes you can take.

Choose a small box to keep all your toys making tools together. Start with scissors, needle nose pliers and/or tweezers. Add wire cutters, blunt pliers, leather punch, hand held drill or Drimmel

Creativity Can Be Borrowed!

I have taken much inspiration over the years from Kris Porter and her Parrot Enrichment website, free books, and now blog and facebook page.

Share toy making ideas with friends

Join online groups such as The Parrot’s Workshop

Creativity Can Be Borrowed!When I see a cool toy at an event or on a website, I will often buy one and use it as a template, to see how it’s constructed, for making something similar myself. (As I am not selling these toys or trying to pass them off as originals, I don’t think I’m in violation of any copyrights laws.)

The more toys you make, the more you will find yourself thinking of substitute parts, how to recombine elements, until you are coming up with your own unique ideas.

Rebuilding ToysQuite often a parrot will become bored with a toy long before it has been completely destroyed. Even more importantly, a toy may become dangerous as parts have been chewed away, leaving ropes or chains that can be an entanglement hazard. When this happens, remove the toy from the cage. Remove and discard any dangerous parts, discard or clean any soiled parts. Remaining parts can be used for re building or building a new toy.

Make MultiplesHenry Ford taught the world that the key to productivity is an assembly line. This is as true for bird toys as it is for cars. When I make toy I rarely make just one of anything. I usually make between 6 to 20 of a given toy at a time, depending on the quantity of materials I have on hand. Repeating each step with each toy, one at a time, so all toys are at the same stage at any given time. This way the movements become more automatic, with less thought and concentration required, so it goes pretty fast.

Make Multiples

For those birds who find comfort in the familiar, this can be very helpful if you have made multiples of a toy (which will all have minor differences, which we may not

see, but the bird will) it will be easy for you to replace them when needed, and this teaches your bird to be comfortable minor variances.

Multi Textural ToysIf you are unsure of what kind of materials your bird may prefer, try making some multi- textural toys. You can combine a variety of ropes & leather, different types of woods, wicker, papers or other types of shreddables, plastics, beads, metal, and fabric. And watch what your bird chooses to interact with first.These are great toys for teaching your parrot to interact with new materials too, mixing new items with things you already know are your bird’s favorites.

Just Add FoodAdding food and foraging into toys is one of the simplest ways to get your bird to engage with a toy. Allow your bird to watch your place favorite treats into a toy.

Introducing ToysSome parrots may need to watch a toy for a while to be sure its safe before interacting with it. For those birds place new toys across the room from their cage, gradually moving it closer as the bird becomes comfortable, then hang on the outside of the cage, before moving it into the cage.

I have a friend who has built a toy display/storage rack in their bird room, where new toys are kept within sight until needed.

Training to Play(The Power of Positive Reinforcement)

Positive Reinforcement Training, sometimes also known as Clicker Training, can be used to teach any behavior, including Play. “Shaping” is a series of small behavior changes. Start with rewarding a parrot for looking at a toy, leaning toward a toy, moving toward a toy, touching a toy, and finally playing with a toy.“Targeting” can also used, have the bird touch the end of a target for a reward, and follow the target to the toy and touch and play with the toy.

Training AS PlayThe act of training itself can become play. It gives you and your bird the opportunity to have positive social interactions and build a healthy relationship. Anyone who has ever trained even the simplest behavior to a bird will tell you the joy and excitement that a bird displays once a task is mastered.

“It gives all the control to the bird. They get to choose what they want to do. We don’t force anything. We don’t insist on anything. It is all up to the bird. It is totally his choice whether or not he does a behavior. He discovers he controls you, the very dependable click and treat machine. The realization that he is in control of all good things that flow gives a bird confidence. Shy birds get bolder and try new ways to make the click and treat happen. It becomes a game the bird really enjoys and you are his partner in training. I never tame a bird, I just teach him Stupid Parlor Tricks and very shortly he is tame.” Message posted on Bird-Click Yahoo group, Wendy Jeffries.

Resources

Download the activity books at: http://parrotenrichment.com

Previous Phoenix Landing Classes:Clicker Training for Parrots Workshop, by Melanie Phunghttp://bestinflock.wordpress.com/2011/11/17/clicker-training-for-birds-workshop/Toy Making Made Easy, by Laura Fordhttp://abirdsbestlife.wordpress.com/2012/12/21/toy-making-made-easy-a-phoenix-landing-class/Fun With Foraging, by Laura Fordhttp://abirdsbestlife.wordpress.com/2013/02/11/fun-with-foraging/

Toy Making Directions:http://abirdsbestlife.wordpress.com/2012/05/30/peat-pot-foraging-shreddding-toy/http://abirdsbestlife.wordpress.com/2012/07/29/whats-in-the-box/http://abirdsbestlife.wordpress.com/2011/10/08/judys-halloween-toy/http://abirdsbestlife.wordpress.com/2012/04/04/baskets-for-easter-and-beyond/http://abirdsbestlife.wordpress.com/2011/12/20/a-christmas-tree-for-the-birds-parrots-that-is/http://abirdsbestlife.wordpress.com/2012/05/14/some-thoughts-from-the-workshop/About Training, Foraging & Playing:http://larajoseph.wordpress.com/2011/05/18/that-is-music-to-my-ears/

http://bestinflock.wordpress.com/2011/11/17/clicker-training-for-birds-workshop/

http://abirdsbestlife.wordpress.com/2012/12/21/toy-making-made-easy-a-phoenix-landing-class/

http://abirdsbestlife.wordpress.com/2012/12/21/toy-making-made-easy-a-phoenix-landing-class/

http://abirdsbestlife.wordpress.com/2013/02/11/fun-with-foraging/

http://abirdsbestlife.wordpress.com/2012/05/30/peat-pot-foraging-shreddding-toy/

http://abirdsbestlife.wordpress.com/2012/07/29/whats-in-the-box/

http://abirdsbestlife.wordpress.com/2011/10/08/judys-halloween-toy/

http://abirdsbestlife.wordpress.com/2012/04/04/baskets-for-easter-and-beyond/

http://abirdsbestlife.wordpress.com/2011/12/20/a-christmas-tree-for-the-birds-parrots-that-is/

http://abirdsbestlife.wordpress.com/2012/05/14/some-thoughts-from-the-workshop/

http://larajoseph.wordpress.com/2011/05/18/that-is-music-to-my-ears/

ResourcesParrot Enrichment Vol. 1 & 2 by Kris Porter http://parrotenrichment.comParrot Enrichment Blog http://parrotenrichment.com/blog/Parrot Enrichment FaceBook page http://www.facebook.com/parrotenrichment

The Parrot’s Workshop FaceBook group http://www.facebook.com/groups/TheParrotsWorkshop/Yahoo Group BirdClick

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/Bird-Click/?yguid=295463844

Training Classes:Phoenix Landing’s intensive training workshop http://www.phoenixlanding.org/stepup.htmlSusan Friedman’s Living & Learning With Parrots online course http://behaviorworks.org/htm/comp_professional_overview.html

Books:A Practical Parrot Guide Parrot-Toys & Play Areas: How to Put Some Fun Into your Parrot’s Life , by Carol S. D’Arezzo and Lauren Shannon-Nunn Animals Make Us Human…Creating the Best Life for Animals, by Temple Grandin, Ph.D.Getting Started Clicker Training for Birds, by Melinda JohnsonDon’t Shoot the Dog, and Reaching The Animal Mind, by Karen Pryor

http://parrotenrichment.com/

http://parrotenrichment.com/blog/

http://www.facebook.com/parrotenrichment

http://www.facebook.com/groups/TheParrotsWorkshop/

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/Bird-Click/?yguid=295463844

http://www.phoenixlanding.org/stepup.html

http://behaviorworks.org/htm/comp_professional_overview.html

get that parrot playing!

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