Plastic Balls for Cats

Submitted by: Michelle - May 11, 1996
Can be used for All Size Birds
I just found the greatest toy for my U2 at the grocery store! They are two clear plastic balls made by Hartz for cats. They have tri-colored plastic spinners inside that spin when the ball moves. Everything is plastic so if it breaks there's nothing to hurt him. But the balls are just big enough and slippery enough that he can pick them up with his foot but he can't pick them up with his beak and he's fairly large for a U2. They cost $2.99 for about two cents worth of plastic, but it's better than $20 for ten cents worth of wood and rope. And we've have them since Saturday without being destroyed! He's very fascinated by them but also a little perplexed.

Baby Rattles

Submitted by: Joanie Doss - amazons@Alaska.NET - June 30, 1997
Can be used for All Size Birds
There is also a baby company that makes rattles in the shape of an elephant, chicken or bunny. They all have the centers cut out so a baby can hold them. Both BFA Kodiak and Nancy Duke's DYHA Diego have the chicken. They both got the chicken when they were babies and still have them! Kodiak is 7 years old and Diego is about 9.

Various Children's Toys

Submitted by: Birds n Ways - June 30, 1997
Can be used for All Size Birds
There are a large number of children's toys which make very good bird toys. Just remember that 'child safe' is not necessarily 'bird 'safe'. Be careful of brittle plastic toys which may break and leave jagged edges. Some ideas we've seen mentioned are: Disney's Musical Toothbrush, baby rattles, plastic teething rings, many infant toys and toys for the very young such as blocks, plastic puzzles and musical toys which have buttons which can be pressed. Try your local Wal Mart, Toys R Us, etc and use your imagination.

A Cockatoo's Hideaway

Submitted by: Mary Ann Morris - December 15, 1997
Can be used for All Size Birds
This is so easy it's frightening. Go to your local WalMart and buy one of those $10.00 carpet cat boxes. I put it on top of my Umbrella Cockatoo's cage with a dish towel in it. In about three months she pulls all of the carpet out and chews straight through the bottom of it. It keeps her very entertained and keeps her from eating things like the kitchen floor and biting the dogs tails. I have also found that it eases the pressure (on everyone) during mating season. Since she does not have a companion she takes out her frustration on the poor box.
PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU KEEP THE CARPET IN THE BOX TRIMMED SO THEIR FEET DO NOT GET CAUGHT IN IT.

Baby Toys

Elmo Musical Hanging Toy

Using Cat Toys

Plastic Keys

Submitted by: Glen - July 19, 1999
Bird toy can be used for Small&Medium Size Birds
WE have a Quaker, and he loves these plastic keys for babies. He'll play for hours with them. I had the keys hanging, but he got them loose and carries them all over the cage with him.This is a cheep toy they love.

Be Careful Of Cat Balls

Submitted by: Kate - August 19, 1999
Bird toy can be used for All Size Birds
Please do not buy the "lattice" type cat balls for your birds unless you have a very mild playing parakeet, because it is easy for even rough playing keets to crack the thin strips of plastic. The pieces of plastic can be eaten or the bell (the dreaded "jingle bell" type") can fall out and snag a toenail. However, the type of ball that is solid and has small holes in it is safe for even Amazons if they are supervised. My conure has one of these balls on the bottom of his cage all the time. ***The lattice type balls are sold individually in the cat section, or several strung on a string labeled as a parakeet toy.***

Baby Toys II

Submitted by: Karen - December 09, 1999
Bird toy can be used for Small&Medium Size Birds
Many baby toys make good bird toys. Soft plastic toys arn't safe, but hard plastic toys are fine. You can often find nice used toys at rummage sales. My bird's current favorite toy is a plastic cage toy with a bell in it and some beads roll around. It cost $.10 at a rummage sale and I just ran it through the dishwasher once before giving it to him to play with. It's too big for him to hold or roll around, so I stuck his perch through it.

Phone

Slinky Tunnel

Submitted by: ParrotletPerson - January 10, 2002
Bird toy can be used for Small Size Birds
Some small birds like to play with slinkies--either string it across the top of the cage so it hangs down or make a tunnel from side to side. I'm going to do this with my bird.

Hampster Wheel

Crib Gym

Submitted by: Karen - July 16, 2004
Bird toy can be used for Medium&Large Size Birds
I bought a Crib Gym at a garage sale for $5. It has all kinds of stuff on it and my macaw will play with it for hours.

Dog Toys Into Bird Toys

Submitted by: Heidi - January 05, 2005
Bird toy can be used for All Size Birds

Check out the dollar stores and Wal-Mart for dog toys. You can get bags of plain rawhide for $1, I dye my own. I've also found balls on ropes, monkey fist ropes, etc, all assortments of dog toys that are suitable for birds. I never pay more than .99 and my birds stay busy for hours!!!! I use them for my B&G Macaw and my Hahn's Macaw. I also use the natural wood things in the Wal-Mart craft section for my lovebird's houses and toys :-D