The Best Bird Toys in 2022

Things to Consider When Buying Parrot Toys

• Size

The size of your toy should always be in direct correlation with the size of your cage. Too big and you won’t leave your bird any room to move around freely. Too small and you’ll find it likely torn to shreds in a matter or minutes or even ignored entirely.

It’s also important to consider the size, as many smaller species such as the budgie or cockatiel could be a little more toy-shy. If they have an item that is then too big for them, it can cause distress which, in turn, will make your pet bird very ill.

• Stimulation

The best budgie toys are ones that stimulate your pet both physically and mentally. Birds are incredibly perceptive, intelligent creatures and they love to have their wits tested against a new toy, as well as a good circulation of different cockatiel toys. Try to opt for macaw toys that keep the senses stimulated, in that they make an intriguing sound, feel good, are brightly colored, smell interesting or even those that have a unique taste.

You should also remember that your bird is meant to be out in the wild, flying from place to place with no restrictions. Without constant use of their muscles, they are likely to become a little stir crazy. Luckily, a good toy that works their coordination skills and encourages plenty of playtime with parakeet toys will do a great job of keeping these requirements met.

• Bird Species

The species of bird you have chosen as your pet will make a big difference in which bird toys you should choose. Macaw toys and parrot toys will need to be much tougher, as these muscular birds with keen beaks will often make short work of destructible items.

Meanwhile, smaller birds will require smaller toys so as not to be intimidated, so you’ll often find that budgie toys and cockatiel toys will be smaller but also more delicate. Opting for a larger or tougher toy here means they’ll likely get bored, since they can’t destroy their new toy (always a big plus in your bird’s eyes).

As a rule, you might also notice that smaller birds prefer to grapple, attack and chew their new toys, whereas smaller birds often prefer audio-based introductions to their cage. Items such as bells, mirrors and swings are better suited to the little guys, in these cases, although there will always be individual differences between your birds. It is generally agreed that all breeds enjoy fleece toys which have grown in popularity, recently.

• Safety

The safety of your bird should always be of paramount importance and it’s important to remember that birds often have greater additional needs when compared to other pets. Their smaller orifices need special consideration as these are prone to breaches. You should also be aware that most birds enjoy chewing and gnawing, which means you should always ensure that your toys are suitable for accidental ingestion, and soft enough to be pulled apart without creating further problems, such as splinters.

Take special care to check the materials of your new bird toys, as these are the biggest giveaway as to the quality of your new toy. Some woods aren’t suitable at all, and we’ll discuss this in more detail below. But it’s not just the wood in your bird toys you need to be careful of, strings are likely to end up in their nostrils and even the dye used in the toy can be dangerous to their health.

• Cleanliness

Remember that you’ll need to clean out your bird cage – and toys – quite a bit over time, so your new bird toys should be easy to attach, remove and clean thoroughly for your pet’s overall health. For those toys that are designed to be chewed, be sure that you’re comfortable with having lots of mess around your bird cage (something that should be a given with these animals). If you prefer to have a toy that isn’t as messy, opt for slightly tougher options, while still being aware of your birds’ needs.

Why You Should Buy Your Pet Bird Toys

• Physical Stimulation

Birds were created to fly about, free in the wild. As a responsible pet owner, it’s your job to try and emulate their natural habitat as much as you possible can. In these cases, that means giving your bird ample room to fly around from place to place, eat freely and have a general frolic.

Bird toys are the best way to create an environment that allows for all of these needs and more. By encouraging plenty of play and working with their natural instincts, these bird toys can help keep your birds physically stimulated to the best of your ability.

• Mental Stimulation

Birds are incredibly intelligent creatures and, when they don’t have enough mental stimulation, you’ll find that they quickly become stir crazy – acting up and even self-harming in an attempt to create some form of mental stimulation for themselves. To avoid this, you should work with your bird to find the best bird toys on the market for their needs.

Bird toys are a great way of providing little day-to-day activities that ensure their overall happiness. Puzzles or sensory activities are bound to keep your feathered friend very happy, since their natural curiosity will take over whenever a new toy is around.

Just be sure that the toys you’re purchasing are of interest to your birds. Each pet will have their own individual differences, and these can come from a huge range of different bird toy types. Check out our list below of the different types and feel free to try a few different types, to see which your pet prefers.

Types of Parakeet Toys

• Swinging and Perches

One of the better-known styles of bird toys and a huge hit with smaller birds such as the cockatiel or budgie. These are great for providing a simple place to rest and even sleep, if your bird is so inclined. Swinging items in particular provide a great way of improving your bird’s overall coordination skills and also gives them a good little workout for their legs.

• Destructible and Chewing Toys

Birds are well-known for wanting to have a good gnaw and this is a completely healthy behavior. Gnawing on their toys helps to work their beak and facial muscles, as well as scratching that itch of needing to chew, which most birds have.

These can make a bit of a mess and, most importantly, should always be bird-safe before placing in your cage. Destructible toys for birds that aren’t suitable can lead to pieces of the material getting stuck in their orifices (mouth and nose), harming their legs and feet, as well as being indigestible.

• Climbing

Another great way of providing plenty of physical stimulation and meeting the instinctual need to climb, rope toys and springs are a great way to give your bird a climbing toy. Again, these improve your bird’s coordination and balance, while providing them with an interesting new plaything to mess around with.

• Puzzles and Foraging Toys

Giving both physical and mental stimulation, these toys are likely to only last a few days at a time, as your bird will become enamored with their new toy. Treat dispensers are a popular choice but we prefer to go with the more natural varieties, which allow for your bird to fully explore their full range of motions, while retrieving the goods from these little puzzles.

Pinatas especially are a fantastic choice as a foraging toy. They work with their full range of physical abilities, as well as being brightly colored and fantastically sensory. Better still, you can even stuff in some of your pet’s favorite treats inside to give extra stimulation and a fantastic reward for all their hard work.

• Noisy Toys

Appealing to their natural desire to communicate, noisy toys provide fantastic auditory stimulation, supporting their social skills and giving an extra dimension of fun to their cage. These are generally preferred by smaller birds, although there are some fantastic choices out there for larger birds, which are reinforced to ensure that your macaw toys or parrot toys aren’t instantly destroyed by an over-enthusiastic bell ringer.

Common Parts Used in Cockatiel Toys

• Rope

Great for bouncing, chewing and climbing, ropes can be made of a range of bird-safe materials from seagrass to bird-safe cotton. No matter what you choose, you’ll need to ensure that the rope is made with 100% edible fibers, to minimize the risks associated with swallowing pieces of the rope.

• Platform

Designed to give your bird a stable place to rest, platforms are often built-in to other parts of bird toys or can be used in a standalone way. Only some woods should be used for these, which we discuss in further detail, below. Better still, a good choice is to opt for seagrass or similar, natural materials, to negate any risk at all. You should also be sure that colors used on your platform should be suitable for birds, such as being made from natural vegetable dye.

• Bells and Sounds

Birds love to meet all of their senses, and audio is just one of these. Bells, tinkles and any unusual sound will keep your pets entertained all day long – so you might want to be sure that the sound is suitable for yourself, too.

Best Bird Toys FAQ:

Q: How do I attach a toy to my birdcage safely?

A: The safest style of attachment for your bird toys is what’s commonly referred to as a C-hook. These can be screwed open or closed as a thread is based on one side. If you think your bird toy doesn’t have a safe attachment, it can be worth purchasing a few of these to replace the standard attachment.

Avoid long cords or chains which can tangle or cause your pet bird to become entangled in the length of the attachment. You should also ensure that there is no risk of your bird getting their beak stuck in small spaces, which you might find in chains.

Q: Are wooden toys safe for my bird?

A: Birds love wooden toys, as they are usually firm enough to perch on but also a great texture to chew and gnaw. Unfortunately, not all wood is suited for use in bird toys. In particular, you’ll need to stay away from Apricot, Box Elder, Cherry, Chinese Snake Tree, Chinese Popcorn, Chinese Tallow, Crepe Myrtle, Holly, Hemlock, Nectarine, Oak, Horse Apple, Peach, Pitch Pine, Plum, Prune, Redwood, Sequoia, Sitka Cedar, Umbrella Tree, Yellow Cedar and Yew.

While the majority of these are simply unsafe for use in bird toys, there are also some that are toxic and should never be used under any circumstances, when it comes to bird toys.

Q: Can I put mirrors in my birdcage?

A: Many birds appreciate having a mirror in their cage, as they are very social animals. However, the risk with mirrors is that your bird may become far too attached to their new “friend” and the result can be a little heartbreaking.

If you do decide to put a mirror in your birdcage, it’s worth making the extra effort to ensure they are properly socialized – ideally with another bird but also with yourself. If you do think your bird is getting a little too attached, then try to limit the time they spend with their mirror.

Q: Is nylon rope safe for my parrot?

A: Because nylon is likely to untangle, and become stuck in the orifices of your bird, it is advised that you never use or buy nylon rope for your parrot or any other birds. While some blends of nylon and other materials can be more suited, it’s best to stay away from it as a whole, since the strength of the material can cause cuts and other injuries.

Our Top Pick

We love the 5-piece set of parrot toys from BWOGUE because it provides a huge range of multi-sensory and physical stimulation for your birds, without the need to spend over-the-odds on a simple set up.

To be used as a full set of split up to rotate and create a longer sense of playtime from week-to-week, these toys are made with 100% pet-safe materials and are massively popular with buyers. Great for chewing, making noise, perching and generally having fun, these are easily the best bird toys on the market, today.

Sources:

1. Rick Axelson, DVM, Toys for Birds, VCA
2. Parakeet (Budgerigar) Care, Animal Humane Society