Safe and Fun Enrichment Activities for Birds

One thing we know for certain is that bored pets can lead to trouble. For some pets, like cats and dogs, you may think of playing with them to quell their boredom, but did you know activities like dancing with your bird can keep them happy? Providing enrichment for all our pets is a good idea, and birds are no exception. Here are some good, safe and inexpensive enrichment ideas to keep your pet bird safe, happy and healthy.

Change It Up

Changing up a bird’s environment is a simple and effective way to provide enrichment for them and doesn’t require much time or effort from you! Simple things, such as moving around the already existing items in your bird’s cage or moving their cage to a different part of the house, can provide a change of scenery. It’s even better if you can place their cage in front of a window for a little free “bird TV.”

When it comes to toys, don’t give your bird all of them at once. Instead, try rotating the ones in their cage every so often for a fun new variety.

Sing and Dance

Interacting daily with your bird has a huge impact. It can be as simple as talking to them, but why not have a little bit of fun with it? Turn on some music and dance and sing with them!

Dogs aren’t the only pets that can do tricks; birds can too. Simple things like training them to take a step up, target training and handling their claws are not only a good way to interact with them but can help you take care of them as well. If you want to get fancy, no one ever gets tired of seeing a dancing bird or having their bird wave to them.

Birds can also benefit from some time outside their cages. Just make sure to pick up or put away items that could be harmful for your bird — all cleaning chemicals should be put away, as well as any pills or potentially harmful foods like chocolate.

Add Texture

Interacting with different textures is a natural activity for birds, and any natural activity added to a bird’s environment is a good enrichment idea. Plain shredded paper and empty toilet paper tubes are some safe household materials that can be used. Nature also provides some great (and free) material, such as untreated twigs from willow, ash, birch or elm trees, dry grass or cottonwood fluff, which are all safe nest-building materials. Just make sure they have not been sprayed with pesticides. It’s best to avoid synthetic materials like plastic wrap, yarn, dryer lint, strings or ribbon.

Flap-tastic Nibbles

Just like dogs and cats, birds like treats too, and it’s another great enrichment tool you can use. Hiding a treat in a bird-appropriate food puzzle or making your own out of a toilet paper tube and some shredded paper can keep your bird busy for hours. You can also place some fresh fruit, such as blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, apples, bananas, oranges or pitted plums on a skewer and hang it in your bird’s cage. Remember to keep treat calories to under 10% of their diet as obesity is a common problem in birds.

Just remember to observe your bird anytime you add anything new to their cage, so they don’t accidentally get hurt or injured.

If you suspect your pet may have ingested something toxic, please contact your veterinarian or ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 immediately.