Feathered Family Inc.

Parrot Play Zones

As I've mentioned uncountable times before parrots need socialization, and play is part of socializing your bird. You should have a safe area of your home where your bird can be just what it needs to be, a playing parrot. Using an old blanket or sheet to mark the safe area for your bird, give him his own playground. Keep a box of bird safe toys handy, ones that he will get to play with only while in the safe zone. Not only does playing in this manner socialize your parrot, but it can also help to satisfy the foraging instinct.

Be creative with the toys you give while in the safe zone, use ones that you wouldn't leave in the cage. Because you are there to supervise, and hopefully play with your parrot, there are many more toy options. Personally, we use a lot of toddler toys in the bird zone, they hold up well, are fun and interactive, and are easy to clean. You know how your parrot is determined to get to that phone you talk in and annoy him with? Give him a play telephone (a toddler one, not real) so he too can enjoy talking to the funny box. Large building blocks can be loads of fun for parrots, some will try to stack them, some will fling them, some will chew them, but nearly every bird enjoys them. Stainless steel measuring cups and a stainless steel pot to bang them on can be a wonderful toy, the point here is to try to think outside of the box a bit.

Be sure when playing with your parrot you watch for chewed up pieces of toys. Don't let your bird swallow anything that is not a food item, and don't allow metal items in the play zone. Keeping your playtime to a maximum of an hour helps to make sure that you do not have to have food and drink in the zone. This is important because you don't want food and water spilled all over the play blanket and toys. Watch your bird for cues, he may not be up to an hour, or may still be too revved up to leave after an hour. Be sure to give a calming period near the end of time allotted to play, start putting away toys and speaking in soft gentle tones to inform your bird that you will do it again soon but now is time to rest.

I don't recommend using an everyday play stand or ring as a play zone, because you don't your parrot to demand one on one play each time he or she uses that area. I'm not saying that you should not play with your bird on a stand or perch, but instead that you should keep the special items for the play zone and away from other areas. Play area's should be special to you and your parrot. A place devoted to your relationship, devoted to spending time with one another. We often spend lots of time snuggling with our birds but we spend far too little time playing with them, and play is extremely important!

Not only will your parrot benefit from playing with you in this way; you will learn a lot about him too. While playing birds display many of the body signals that they show throughout the rest of the day. You will often see soliciting for toys, play fighting and aggression with toys, and after a time you will see a tired bird that is ready to rest. Your bird is also learning from you at this point, the tone of voice you use in happy situations, your body posture when you are relaxed or playful, things like this are important for your parrot to understand in order to build a healthy relationship between human and bird. Enjoy playing with your bird, it can be one of the most relaxing parts of your day.