Bird Toy Guide: Types, Safety, and Fun

If parrots could talk, they’d probably tell you that life without a good bird toy is like a day without snacks, boring and downright frustrating. These clever, energetic birds need more than just food and a cage; they need something to challenge their curious minds and keep their beaks busy. A well-chosen bird toy does just that, it sparks fun, encourages natural behaviors, and keeps your pet bird happy and healthy. In captivity, it’s our responsibility to provide enrichment that meets their physical and mental needs. One of the easiest and most effective ways to do that is by offering the right bird toy.

In this guide, we’ll dive into the world of bird toys, exploring what makes a great one, how to pick the perfect fit for your parrot, and simple tips to make sure playtime stays safe and exciting. All of the toys featured in this article are available exclusively from PDS Parrot Shop.

What Is a Bird Toy?

A bird toy is any specially designed item that provides entertainment, mental stimulation, and physical exercise for pet birds. These toys are crafted from bird-safe materials like untreated wood, natural fibers, stainless steel, and paper, ensuring your pet bird stays safe while having fun.

Bird toys come in many different shapes and styles to meet the diverse needs of parrots and other companion birds. For example, chew bird toys made from soft wood allow birds to satisfy their natural instinct to gnaw and keep their beaks healthy. Foraging bird toys challenge birds to solve puzzles and search for hidden treats, mimicking natural behaviors that keep their minds sharp.

Other common types include foot bird toys, small toys that birds can hold and manipulate with their feet, promoting dexterity and mental engagement. Swing and climbing bird toys encourage physical activity, helping parrots build strength and coordination. And for the noise lovers, bells and rattles add auditory stimulation that many birds find irresistible.

In short, a bird toy is more than just a plaything; it’s an essential part of your bird’s daily enrichment, helping prevent boredom, stress, and destructive behaviors by keeping them busy and happy.

Discover how the anatomy of parrot species influences their behavior and enrichment needs and why the right toys matter inn our Anatomy of a Parrot article.

Benefits of Bird Toy

Adding a bird toy to your parrot’s life is one of the simplest ways to boost their overall wellbeing. A good bird toy can:

• Encourage natural behaviors like chewing, shredding, and foraging.

• Provide mental stimulation to prevent boredom and depression.

• Reduce stress and prevent boredom, related to plucking.

• Support foot and beak health by offering different textures.

• Promote physical activity through climbing and swinging.
  

Parrots in the wild spend much of their day foraging, climbing, and exploring. A well‑chosen bird toy recreates some of that natural activity inside your home.

Why Destroying Toys Is Good for Birds

To many bird owners, watching their pet bird tear apart a brand-new toy can feel like a waste. But in the world of parrots, bird toys destruction is not only normal, it’s healthy and essential. Here’s why:

1. Encourages Natural Instincts
   In the wild, parrots spend hours foraging, shredding bark, and breaking branches. Destroying toys replicates these natural behaviors, helping prevent boredom and stress in captivity.

2. Provides Mental Stimulation
   Birds are intelligent creatures that thrive on problem-solving. Chewing, ripping, and pulling toys apart keep their minds engaged and reduce the risk of behavioral issues like feather plucking or screaming.

3. Supports Beak Health
   A busy beak is a healthy beak! Regular chewing and shredding help naturally trim and strengthen your bird’s beak, just like branches and nuts do in the wild.

4. Reduces Stress and Anxiety
   Destroying toys can be a safe way for parrots to release energy and relieve stress. It gives them a positive outlet for their natural chewing instinct.

5. Promotes Exercise and Activity
   Reaching, pulling, and tearing toys apart encourages full-body movement, helping to keep your parrot physically fit and entertained.

Pro Tip: Rotate toys weekly to keep your bird’s environment exciting, and provide a mix of shreddable, chewable, and foraging toys to satisfy every instinct. Learn more about  bird toy destruction, and celebrate a toy being destroyed. 

 

How to Introduce a New Bird Toy

Introducing a new bird toy to your parrot’s environment can sometimes take a bit of patience. Birds are creatures of habit and might be wary of unfamiliar objects at first. Here are some simple steps to help your feathered friend warm up to their new toy:

1. Start Slow
   Place the new bird toy near your parrot’s favorite perch or play area rather than directly inside their cage. This allows them to observe it safely from a distance.

2. Show Interest Yourself
   Birds are social and curious creatures. Play with the toy yourself or gently interact with it while your bird watches. This can spark their curiosity.

3. Use Treats as Incentives
   If the toy is a foraging or puzzle bird toy, hide a few favorite treats inside to encourage exploration and positive association.

4. Be Patient
   It might take a few days or even weeks for your parrot to fully accept a new toy. Avoid forcing interaction—let your bird come to it at their own pace.

5. Rotate and Refresh
   Sometimes reintroducing an older toy after some time away can renew interest. Regularly rotating toys keeps your bird mentally stimulated.

Types of Bird Toy to Consider

★★★★★

"Such a neat idea, I love it. The Pizza box alone is a great toy but inside there are so many foot toes and intriguing things to chew on. I have not yet provided this toy to either of my birds, I am trying to figure out which one will enjoy it more."

Chew Bird Toy

Parrots have strong beaks that are designed for chewing. A chew bird toy made from safe woods like pine or balsa allows your bird to safely wear down their beak and satisfy their natural chewing instincts.

"Prissy LOVES the big balsa toys!! She goes through about 4 a week!!!"

Shreddable Bird Toy

If your bird loves to destroy things, a shreddable bird toy is perfect. Toys made of paper, palm leaves, or thin wood give your parrot the satisfaction of tearing things apart safely.

"Oliver loves is Balsa Ball toy. Thank you for providing a safe enrichment toy. Will definitely buy again."

Swing  Bird Toy

A swing bird toy adds fun and exercise to your bird’s routine. Birds love movement, and these toys help improve balance and leg strength while keeping them entertained.

 

Foot Bird Toy

Foot toys are small, lightweight toys that your parrot can hold and manipulate with their feet. These toys provide mental stimulation and encourage natural play behaviors, helping to keep your bird’s feet active and healthy.

Climbing Bird Toy

Climbing bird toys encourage your parrot to exercise their legs and claws by scrambling, hanging, or navigating through ropes, ladders, or nets. This type of toy helps build strength and agility.

Puzzle Bird Toy

Puzzle bird toys challenge your parrot’s intelligence by requiring them to solve problems to access hidden treats or unlock parts of the toy. These toys provide excellent mental stimulation and can reduce boredom.

Bells and Rattles

Many parrots love toys that make noise. Bells and rattles stimulate your bird’s curiosity and encourage playful interaction. These toys are especially popular with birds who enjoy vocalizing and exploring sounds.

"My girl loves her toy, she waves it around before flinging it to anybody near her and laughs to herself."

Hanging Bird Toy

Hanging bird toys dangle from the cage roof or play gym, offering fun movement and swinging action. They encourage your bird to climb, grab, and interact, helping develop coordination and providing exercise.

Interactive Bird Toy

Interactive bird toys respond to your parrot’s actions with movement, sounds, or lights. These high-tech or cleverly designed toys keep birds engaged and entertained for longer periods, reducing boredom and promoting mental health.

"My babies loved it! It has such a good variety of colors, shapes, and textures that my feather babies love!"

If you’re looking for more options, check out our favorite Amazon bird toys that are safe, fun, and parrot-approved.

Choosing the Best Bird Toy

Not all toys are created equal. When selecting a bird toy, keep the following in mind:

• Safety first: Avoid toys with small parts, toxic metals, or loose threads that could trap toes or beaks.

• Bird size: A toy that’s too small for a large parrot may pose a choking hazard, while toys that are too large might intimidate smaller birds.

• Personality match: Observe what your bird enjoys—do they love chewing, solving puzzles, or shredding things apart?

• Rotation is key: Keep things interesting by rotating your bird’s toys regularly to prevent boredom.

Tips for Using a Bird Toy Safely

Once you add a bird toy to the cage, keep safety a priority.

• Rotate toys every one to two weeks to keep playtime exciting.

• Check daily for loose strings or broken parts.

• Introduce new toys slowly if your bird is shy or nervous.

This keeps your parrot engaged without overwhelming them and ensures the toy lasts longer. Learn how to clean bird toys, for safe and bacteria free enrichment. 

 

Bird Toys and Enrichment

A quality bird toy isn’t just for play, it’s a tool for enrichment. Enrichment improves a bird’s quality of life and reduces stress, especially in pet birds who live indoors without access to nature. A well-designed toy can mimic wild behaviors, challenge a bird’s mind, and provide a daily source of entertainment. Choosing the right bird toy is an important part of providing effective bird enrichment that keeps your parrot mentally stimulated and physically active.

Try a DIY Bird Toy

If you enjoy crafting, you can make your own bird toy at home. Use untreated wood blocks, cardboard, and bird‑safe rope to create a simple toy that your parrot can chew and shred. Making toys yourself is cost‑effective and lets you customize enrichment for your bird.

If you want step‑by‑step inspiration, check out our DIY Bird Toy Guide.

Support Small Businesses That Know Birds

When possible, choose handmade toys created by small businesses that truly understand bird behavior. Companies run by bird lovers and rescuers often design toys with both fun and safety in mind. Many even test their toys on real birds to ensure engagement and durability.

Ready to find the perfect Bird Toy for your Parrot? 

A well-chosen bird toy can transform your bird’s environment, making their day more exciting, interactive, and healthy. Whether your bird loves to chew, shred, swing, or solve puzzles, there’s a toy out there they’ll love. Regularly providing new toys and watching your bird explore them, is one of the greatest joys of having a parrot.

Keeping your pet bird happy, healthy, and entertained starts with the right bird toy. Whether your parrot loves to chew, solve puzzles, climb, or swing, we have safe, durable, and fun toys designed just for them.

Explore our curated collection of bird toys at PDS Parrot Shop and discover toys that will bring joy and enrichment to your bird’s daily life. Don’t wait, give your parrot the gift of play today!

Shop Bird Toys Now

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Bird Toy:

Q: How often should I replace my bird’s toys?
A: Replace toys as soon as they show signs of wear and tear to prevent hazards. For many birds, this could be every few days to months, depending on how vigorously they play.

Q: Are all materials safe for bird toys?
A: No. Always choose toys made from bird-safe materials like untreated wood, stainless steel, natural fibers, and food-safe dyes. 

Q: Can one bird toy serve multiple purposes?
A: Yes! Many bird toys combine features like chewing, foraging, and climbing to provide comprehensive enrichment.

Q: How many toys should I provide?
A: It depends on your bird’s size and personality, but having at least 3–5 different types of bird toys and rotating them regularly is a good rule of thumb.

Q: What if my bird ignores a new toy?
A: Give it time and try placing the toy in different cage spots. You can also try pairing it with treats or using it yourself to show interest.

 

Monika Sangar, MSc – Molecular Biology | Avian Nutrition Specialist | Founder: PDSnonprofit | Owner: Pds Parrot Shop 

Monika Sangar is a parrot rescuer, bird food chef, and toy designer with over a decade of experience in avian care and nutrition. She is the founder of Prego Dalliance Sanctuary and the author of The Science of Avian Nutrition, a cookbook dedicated to fresh, healthy meals for parrots. Explore more bird care tips and bird toys at PDS Parrot Shop!