National Pet Bird Day, observed annually on September 17th, was established in 2018 by the Bird Enjoyment and Advantage Koalition (BEAK) to celebrate the joy derived from pet birds while educating bird guardians about proper care and lifelong commitments. Birds are highly intelligent and require substantial attention and stimulation to maintain their mental and physical well-being. Bird keepers must be prepared to dedicate significant time and financial resources to meet a bird’s needs for socialization, diet, veterinary care, and environmental management. For those who have taken on the formidable but rewarding challenges of keeping birds, A-Z Animals has created a list of seven products designed to make caring for your avian companions a little less burdensome.
Holi Foraging Ball
Foraging balls stimulate birds mentally and physically by encouraging foraging behavior.
©Courtesy of busybeaks.com
The Holi foraging ball from Busy Beaks is made of soft, BPA-free plastic with a bell inside. It is designed to stimulate a bird’s instinct to forage for food, pellets, or other small chewable items hidden within the ball’s slots. The toy’s jingle encourages the bird to interact with it, while the act of pulling and pushing the ball helps the bird retrieve the hidden goodies. If your bird is an aggressive forager, the folks at Busy Beaks admit the Holi foraging ball ($8) may not last, so go ahead and order two; that way, you’ll have a replacement handy.
Parrot’s Treasure
Fill this treasure chest with your bird’s favorite treats.
©Courtesy of avianantics.com
If your bird has mastered the easier toys and puzzles, Avian Antics’ Parrot’s Treasure is an intermediate foraging toy that will challenge your bird. To access the booty in the clear acrylic pirate’s chest, your bird must unlock the top using two keys. When the keys are turned, the top is released, revealing fruit, veggies, and your bird’s favorite snacks. The treasure chest hangs from a nickel-plated chain. Spoil your favorite feathered friend with Avian Antics‘ Parrot’s Treasure, $19.99.
Treasure Chest™ Puzzle and Foraging Toy
This treasure chest, reminiscent of the traditional toddler shape-sorter, comes in two sizes.
©Courtesy of sweetfeetandbeak.com
The team at Sweet Feet and Beak claims that its Treasure Chest™ Puzzle and Foraging Toy is ‘Bird Proof™.’ The chest, made from the same materials used to make bulletproof glass, is filled with food-colored dyed wooden shapes for hours of foraging fun. Customer reviews are overwhelmingly positive, with one mentioning she adds a peanut to the chest to reward her African grey‘s curiosity. Sweet Feet and Beak‘s Treasure Chest™ Puzzle and Foraging Toy is available in two sizes. small ($14.95) and large ($17.95).
54 Piece Puzzle Pull
This bird puzzle will delight smaller birds and also birds with beak differences.
©Courtesy of abirdtoy.com
Cheep Thrills’ 54-piece puzzle pull is a durable, long-lasting bird toy designed for shredding and whittling. It is made with bird-safe components such as thin pine wood pieces and natural rectangles. It is ideal for birds that enjoy smaller, manageable pieces to chew on, and for those with beak deformities or limitations, as it offers a safe and engaging alternative to larger toys.
Cheep Thrills‘ 54-piece puzzle pull, $17.50, is made without harmful dyes, synthetic fibers, toxic wood, or dangerous metals. Refills for the wooden foraging shapes are available, starting at $4.85.
Bird Forage Slider & Flip Toy
Fill’er up and let the foraging begin, with this clever design from DINK Pets Life.
©Courtesy of DinkPetsLife
Foraging toys help birds fulfill their instinct to search, explore, and play, which is vital to their mental health. The Bird Forage Slider & Flip Toy from DINK Pets Life checks all the boxes. The interactive push-and-flip foraging toy turns treat time into a mentally stimulating exercise. The tray contains six compartments, three with flip-up lids and three with push-to-slide covers. The tray is made from non-toxic, high-quality plastic that is sturdy enough to withstand even the most active beaks. It is designed to be used on a flat surface, outside the confines of your bird’s cage. DINK Pets Life‘s Bird Forage Slider & Flip Toy is available for $19.99, as shown, or $29.99 for custom colors.
Four Corners
Designed for smaller birds, this foraging toy will keep your bird entertained for hours.
©Courtesy of bonkabirdtoys.com
A durable seagrass mat forms the base of this foraging toy. Handcrafted by Bonka Bird Toys, the 8X6-inch mat comes preloaded with paper shreds, which address birds’ instinctual nesting behaviors. Place your bird’s favorite treats in the mat for added foraging fun. The mat, which hangs from a bamboo chain, is available from Bonka Bird Toys, $21.99 as a one-time purchase or $19.79 with a subscription.
4-Way Forager
This cleverly designed toy is perfect for the novice forager.
©Courtesy of alexsbirdkingdom.com
Super Bird Creations’ 4-Way Forager is designed to provide physical and mental enrichment by challenging birds to find hidden food treats within its clear acrylic cups. The treats are easily accessible with a flip of the lid. Assembled from bird-safe PVC and plastic components, the toy is dishwasher safe and ideal for medium-to-large birds like conures, Amazons, and African greys. Super Bird Creations‘ 4-Way Forager is available at pet stores and from numerous online retailers, including Alex’s Bird Kingdom, where it is $29.
