Interacting with toys is essential for the mental and physical well-being of our pet birds, but not all bird toys on the market are safe. As bird owners, it’s our responsibility to assess the safety of all materials our feathered friends can access.
Manufacturers may design bird toys with the best of intentions but birds are curious and persistent creatures who engage with toys in ways that manufacturers cannot always anticipate. Adding to the challenge of assessing toy safety, most bird playthings lack information about the types of woods, metals, dyes, and other materials used.
Common risks to look out for include unknown and potentially toxic metals, unspecified woods that may not be bird-safe, sharp edges, and small parts that can be swallowed. Keep an eye out for small links or holes that can catch toes. Avoid all toys that may have coatings, chemicals, wood preservatives, and/or unsafe pigments. Metal components should be free of zinc or lead, which are highly toxic to birds. Wood should be untreated and pigments should be plant-based and/or food-grade. Bird toys are imported into the United States from all over the world and what is deemed "safe" for birds varies widely.
A few tips to ensure the health and well-being of your feathered family...
- Consider Toy Composition. Are guarantees offered regarding the types of woods, metals, and dyes used? Sometimes manufacturers use the term "bird-safe" without understanding what this actually means. For example, some manufacturers believe natural materials are automatically safe for birds to chew, but there are many natural woods that are toxic to birds.
- Inspect Toys Regularly. Promptly remove toys that could become hazardous. I generally remove any rope or twine pieces that have become longer than 3 inches. I remove cotton rope that is frayed to the point of posing an entanglement risk. I remove any rope or twine that could form a dangerous loop. I often use stainless steel poles to hang toys, in lieu of rope and twine.
- Avoid Toys with Small Parts That Can be Swallowed. Consider whether there is any chance your parrot could remove a small toy part and deliberately or accidentally ingest it. Parrots have been known to remove and ingest bell clappers, small nuts and bolts, pieces of plastic, acrylic beads, and other items.
- Prefer Natural Materials. Consider bird-safe woods, palm leaves, food-grade papers, and other natural materials. Avoid chemically treated or coated products.
- Avoid Toys with Split Rings. A split ring consists of a single loop of wire (similar to a keyring) where the wire overlaps itself. Split rings are sometimes used in bird toys, but bird’s can get their beaks, tongues, or toes caught between the overlapping wire.
There are many bird toy choices and it is up to us to choose wisely! We cannot assume bird toy manufacturers have a full understanding of bird safety and have considered all the possible ways our birds will interact with their toys. Assessing the toys we provide, and monitoring how our feathered darlings engage with them, are essential aspects of keeping our birds safe. By staying vigilant, you’ll protect your bird from potential harm and keep them happy and healthy!