Need a reminder of why enrichment is so important for birds? Watch this quick video from World Parrot Trust that provides a summary of enrichment types and many quick (and often free) ideas for enrichment. When using natural items, ensure the items are bird-safe, not treated with pesticides, and free of pests. https://vimeo.com/820648109?fl=pl&fe=sh 

Sprouts are a highly nutritious food source that can be fed to parrots. However, sprouts grow in a moist environment, and bacterial contamination is possible. If you are interested in offering sprouts to your pet bird, research techniques to make this food option as safe as possible. A good starting point is this handout from World Parrot Trust!

When 2 pairs of zoo-housed blue and gold macaws were offered a chopped fruit or whole fruit as part of their normal feed ration, no significant difference was seen in the amount of food eaten or the overall activity budget. However, podomandibulation (manipulating food with the foot and beak) and allofeeding (feeding a bird of the same species) increased in birds fed whole fruit, while resting behavior decreased. 

Learn more: James C, Nicholls A, Freeman M, et al. Should zoo foods be chopped: macaws for consideration. JZAR. 2021;9(4):200-207. https://doi.org/10.19227/jzar.v9i4.507

Looking for more ways to encourage climbing in your parrot’s enclosure? Try using the following: natural wood perches, swings, boings, bungees, ropes, climbing nets, ladders, and ramps. For more tips on encouraging climbing, see this great handout from World Parrot Trust!

Many brands produce small cups and lids from unbleached plant fiber, like bamboo or sugarcane fiber, that contain no wax or plastic lining. These cups make excellent foraging toys where small food treats and toys can be hidden!

Browse is vegetation, including branches and young shoots, that can be played with and eaten by animals. For birds, browse provides numerous enrichment and health benefits. It can provide natural, varied perches to for climbing and appropriate foot health. The bark and hard wood can encourage chewing and beak health. Browse also provides a variety of colors, textures, scents (especially if safe flowering buds are included!), and tastes. Ensure any browse offered is nontoxic and pest free.

In a study on grey parrots, new foraging enrichment consisting of 2 components to stimulate both the appetitive phase (eg: stimulating travelling, searching/exploring for, and selecting food) and consummatory phase (eg: stimulating extracting and manipulating food items) was evaluated. Compared to the control birds receiving no foraging (121 +/- 16min/day), birds in the appetitive and consummatory enrichment groups spent more time foraging (176+/- 31 and 194+/-26 min/day, respectively). Greys receiving both appetitive and consummatory enrichment foraged for an average of 234+/-42 min/day –almost double the control birds!

Learn more: Beekmans MHC, Vinke CM, Maijer A, et al. Increasing foraging times with appetitive and consummatory foraging enrichment in grey parrots (Psittacus Erithacus). Appl Anim Behav Sci. 2023;265:105986.

Manipulative enrichment, also known as occupational enrichment, provides birds with an option of whether or not to engage. One example is providing toys. For more tips and tricks on using manipulative/occupational enrichment, watch this short video by World Parrot Trust!

Ratite enrichment: In a study evaluating the effects of simple foraging enrichment through scatter feeding fruits and vegetables to a group of zoo-housed greater rhea, abnormal behaviors of pacing and eating feces were reduced when the foraging enrichment was offered, while positive behaviors of walking and foraging were increased. Even simple environmental enrichment can benefit ratites to exhibit more natural behaviors!

Learn more: de Azevedo CS, Lima MFF, Young CRJ, et al. Using environmental enrichment to reduce the expression of abnormal behaviors in Greater rhea Rhea americana at Belo Horizonte Zoo. International Zoo Yearbook. 2013;47(1):163-170. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-1090.2012.00195.x

What are the components of foraging enrichment? Strategies should stimulate parrots to (1) search for, (2) procure, and (3) extract or process food. Unfortunately, foraging enrichment does not always include all these stages, so captive parrots with enrichment still may not spend as much time foraging as their wild counterparts.

Multiple shapeable, wire-enforced rope perches are available that provide mild movement when captive birds climb on them. These perches simulate movement on smaller natural tree branches and help birds practice balance. Options for your bird’s cage include boings, swings, and bungees. 

Chewing is an important behavior for parrots that lets them explore their environment…while keeping their beak well groomed! For a quick summary of ways to encourage chewing in your pet bird, visit World Parrot Trust’s handout.

Leaf bathing is when birds make use of water droplets that accumulate on larger leaves to take a bath and clean themselves. While this behavior is most commonly seen performed by smaller birds, some larger birds will take advantage of leaf bathing, as well. To encourage leaf bathing of captive psittacine and passerine birds, try hanging large, edible leaves (like kale, swiss chard, and collard greens) in a horizontal orientation in the and spraying them with water.

Try offering carrots as a form of enrichment to your birds!

1. Sensory: Sensory enrichment includes providing novel sights, tastes, smells, sounds, and textures. That’s easy with carrots! Try offering different varieties of carrots to provide different tastes and colors. Offer carrots both raw and cooked.

2. Nutritional: Carrots are high in vitamins (including vitamin A!), minerals, fiber, and antioxidants.

3. Manipulative: Try offering a larger carrot piece that needs to be held, chewed, destroyed, and eaten! Or try hanging a carrot in the cage (or chicken run) as a kabob.

Cut little holes in the carrot and fill them with other food treats, like seeds and pieces of nut.

Need a natural wrapper for a toy or to hide food? Try using a dried banana leaf or corn husk. These wraps are natural, bird-safe, and provide a nice crinkly texture!

Rope climbing nets are a great way to encourage movement in your bird’s enclosure or play area. Ensure you purchased bird-safe, untreated rope nets. These nets can be used as a bridge between play areas, and toys can easily be attached.

Olfactory enrichment for parrots: Although not discussed frequently in birds, olfactory enrichment is a form of sensory enrichment shown to be beneficial in chickens and birds of prey. What about parrots, pigeons, and passerines? One option for these birds is to rub edible herbs and spices onto toys and perches. Try using basil, mint, chilis, lavender, rosemary, or edible flowers.

Cat grasses like oat, wheat, and rye can be grown for birds, too! If offering these grasses straight from the pot, cover the soil to prevent birds from eating it. Otherwise, grasses can be snipped and hung in bundles in the cage or woven through cage bars. Want more information on offering bird-safe plants? Watch this short video from World Parrot Trust: https://vimeo.com/820648103?fl=pl&fe=sh 

Need an easy, low-cost parrot gym for a smaller bird? Try using an unstained, unpainted, untreated wooden clothes-drying rack!

What are the 2 phases of foraging?

1. The appetitive phase: This involves exploring, searching for, and procuring food.
2. The consummatory phase: This is where food is manipulated, selected and consumed.
Both phases should be provided in foraging enrichment to provide mental stimulation, encourage natural behaviors, and maximize the time spent foraging.

When attaching toys to your bird’s cage, avoid spring-loaded clasps that can become trapped on feet and beaks. Better options include stainless steel quick links (ensure they are properly tightened) and natural ties (eg: leather straps).

Try using large, edible leafy greens as “wrapping paper” for highly prized treats. Good options include kale, collard greens, endive, cabbage, mustard greens, and lettuce.

While the cage is a safe space for captive birds to rest, eat, and play, it is important for most birds to have time outside of the cage for both physical exercise and mental stimulation. However, areas where birds are allowed out must be bird-proofed to keep them safe. Evaluate areas for drafts, temperature fluctuations, ceiling fans, large windows, open vents, and older paint.

Climbing is an important natural behavior that wild parrots perform during many of their daily activities, including foraging, mating, playing, and escape from predators. In captivity, climbing can be encouraged to help provide enrichment and exercise. For more tips, see this great handout from World Parrot Trust: https://parrots.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/HangingAndGymToys.pdf 

Many pet birds like to spend time in the kitchen watching the family prepare and eat meals. While this is excellent social (and olfactory!) enrichment, remember that there are many household dangers in the kitchen for birds- including nonstick cookware, cleaners, boiling food, and hot surfaces. 

Podomandibulation is the act of using the feet, tongue, and beak to manipulate and explore objects, including food. The granivorous diet of parrots requires a large amount of manipulation, and their zygodactyl feet (with two digits facing forward and two facing backward) make them highly dexterous at this task!

Did you know that wild parrot species spend between 4-8 hours per day foraging? Peak foraging activity occurs in the early morning and late afternoon. In contrast, many captive parrots spend less than 1 hour per day foraging. Offering ample foraging enrichment is essential for both the mental and physical health of birds in captivity.

Does you bird dunk its food? Dunking is considered a foraging innovation in animals. Proposed functions of dunking food in a medium prior to consumption include: soaking, cleaning, flavoring, drowning prey, and transporting liquid. Dunking behavior has been reported in a group of captive Goffin’s cockatoos to soak dry food. In a newer observational study, captive Goffin’s cockatoos were found to dunk food in blueberry flavored soy yogurt more often than neutral yogurt with the likely function to flavor their food.

Learn more: Zewald JS, Auersperg AMI. Innovative flavoring behavior in Goffin’s cockatoos. Current Biology. 2025;35(5):1107-1112.

Ratite enrichment: Bathing opportunities should be provided for ratites and reflect their natural history and preferences. For ostriches, dust baths are recommended, while shallow ponds and mud pools can be offered to cassowaries and emus.

Contrafreeloading is the willingness to work for a resource (such as food), even when an identical resource is freely available. This behavior sems to contradict optimal foraging theory, which suggest that animals should maximize energy gain while minimizing cots. However, many animals- including chickens, parrots, and pigeons- have been shown to exhibit contrafreeloading, preferring earned resources over free resources.

Orange-winged Amazon parrots housed in pair-groups were found to interact with novel objects placed in the cage quicker than when birds were housed singly. Reduction in fear associated with a social partner has also been evaluated in chickens, as well as non-avian species including monkeys and rats. When separated from their social partner and tested alone, the animals take longer to interact with the object. The buddy system makes these animals less fearful!
1. Meehan CL, Garner JP, Mench JA. Isosexual pair housing improves the welfare of young Amazon parrots. Appl Anim Behav Sci. 2003;81:73-88

Cage size was found to play a critical role in the presence of object-directed stereotypies in a research study evaluated budgerigars. Object-directed sterotypes noted in the budgies included incessant screaming, spot-pecking, and mating behavior on inanimate objects. Birds in larger cages displayed these stereotypies less frequently. Oral stereotypies, including wire chewing (eg: cage bar chewing) and sham chewing, were also found to be reduced in birds housed in larger cages.
1. Polverino G, Manciocco A, Vitale A, Alleva E. Stereotypic behaviours in Melopsittacus undulatus: behavioural consequences of social and spatial limitations. Appl Anim Behav Sci. 2015;165:1430155.

Young orange-winged Amazon parrots housed in pairs spent more time flying, climbing, and walking than birds housed solo. Paired birds also spent significantly more time utilizing provided enrichments (20% active time) than singly housed birds (13% active time). Housing in pairs provides more opportunity for play and exploration!

Amazon parrots housed singly spent over ¼ of their active time (28%) preening in one study. Birds housed in pairs in the same study only spent 19% of their active time preening. 

1. Meehan CL, Garner JP, Mench JA. Isosexual pair housing improves the welfare of young Amazon parrots. Appl Anim Behav Sci. 2003;81:73-88

In orange-winged Amazon parrots housed in pairs, 77% of enrichment use involved both parrots using the enrichment at the same time. Do your birds like to play tug-of-war with toys?
1. Meehan CL, Garner JP, Mench JA. Isosexual pair housing improves the welfare of young Amazon parrots. Appl Anim Behav Sci. 2003;81:73-88

In a study of young orange-winged Amazon parrots, males utilized their enrichments significantly more than females. In males, 19% of their active time was spent using the provided enrichment, while it was only 15% for females.

1. Meehan CL, Garner JP, Mench JA. Isosexual pair housing improves the welfare of young Amazon parrots. Appl Anim Behav Sci. 2003;81:73-88

In a study looking at how cage size and flock size altered steretypies in budgerigars, the most common parrot in captivity, researchers found that budgies housed with multiple conspecifics (not just in pairs) in larger cages showed the lowest number of stereotypes and preening behavior.

1. Polverino G, Manciocco A, Vitale A, Alleva E. Stereotypic behaviours in Melopsittacus undulatus: behavioural consequences of social and spatial limitations. Appl Anim Behav Sci. 2015;165:1430155.

Depending on where you live, taking your bird on walks outside can be a very rewarding experience. This can be done by training your bird to wear a harness using positive reinforcement or by using a backpack-style travel carrier. Providing birds the opportunity to go outside will expose them to fresh air, natural sunlight, and many new sights and sounds! If your birds are not flight trained or there is a concern for predators, please ensure your bird remains on a harness or in a portable cage. No harness is “escape-proof,” so supervision is always necessary during outdoor adventures to ensure your pet remains safe. Be sure to avoid any potential contact with wild birds and be aware of the status of high path avian influenza in your area to keep your birds safe.

Special thanks to Sydney Duncan-Ford, Ontario Veterinary College, Class of 2026 for sharing this tip and photos of her bird.

Both a novel stimuli in the environment (in the form of plastic beads and a mirror) and social enrichment (in the form of a brief view of a bird in an adjacent cage once daily) significantly reduced stereotypic behaviors in caged canaries.

1. Keiper RR. Studies of stereotypy function in the canary (Serinus canarius). Anim Behav. 1970;18:353-357.

Isolation from conspecifics (individuals of the same species) may contribute to the development of abnormal behaviors in captive parrots. This lack of social enrichment may lead to stereotypies, feather picking, excessive fearfulness, and aggression.

Gobi tail comes from the dried root of the cabbage plant, Brassica oleracea var.. The roots are irregular and soft, making a fun addition to bird toys!

Social enrichment is dynamic and rarely constant or completely predictable. This makes it one of the most effective forms of enrichment for many species, including birds!

Route tracing is a stereotypy in which an animal traces a designated path on the top or floor of a cage. In an experiment with caged birds, route tracing was reduced when a larger aviary cage was provided and when a swinging perch arrangement was added to a smaller cage.
1. Keiper RR. Causal factors of stereotypies in caged birds. Anim Behav. 1969;17:114-119.
2. Keiper RR. Studies of stereotypy function in the canary (Serinus canarius). Anim Behav. 1970;18:353-357.

Manipulative enrichment, aka occupational enrichment, gives birds an option of whether or not to engage with the enrichment item. Toys are a common example of manipulative enrichment. Novelty introduced into the environment that is not excessive and can be controlled by birds has been shown to reduce fearfulness and steretypies.

1. Jones RB, Waddington D. Modification of fear in domestic chicks, Gallus gallus domesticus, via regular handling and early environmental enrichment. Anim Behav. 1992;43:1021-1033.
2. Keiper RR. Studies of stereotypy function in the canary (Serinus canarius). Anim Behav. 1970;18:353-357.
   

Jute is produced from flowering plants in the genus Corchorus, primarily from C. olitorius. Jute fibers come from the stem and ribbon, or outer skin, of the jute plant. These fibers can be spun into coarse threads. The threads can be used to create twines and ropes which are excellent for making bird toys or connecting toys to enclosures. Jute sticks can also be offered to birds and provide a softer texture that is easy to chew and destroy.

Mahogany is a tropical hardwood tree from the Swietenia genus and is native to the Americas. Components of the mahogany fruit can be a fun addition to bird toys and often come from trees grown in Central and South America. The inner pod of the fruit can be used whole or sliced for bird toys and has a softer texture. The much harder outer shell of the fruit can also be utilized.

Social enrichment is one of the most effective forms of enrichment for flock animals like birds. Rearing social species with companions has been showed to reduce fearfulness and stereotypic behaviors. Social enrichment also increases activity levels!
1. Hughes BO. Selection of group size by individual laying hens.Br Poult Sci. 1977;18:9-18.
2. Meehan CL, Garner JP, Mench JA. Isosexual pair housing improves the welfare of young Amazon parrots. Appl Anim Behav Sci. 2003;81:73-88.
3. Polverino G, Manciocco A, Vitale A, Alleva E. Stereotypic behaviours in Melopsittacus undulatus: behavioural consequences of social and spatial limitations. Appl Anim Behav Sci. 2015;165:1430155.

Pictured: budgies Bucket and Peggy

Offering a mixture of chopped fruit, vegetables, and healthy grains (aka “chop”) can provide enrichment by encouraging your bird to search for their favorite food, be stimulating from the colors and textures, and improve their diet by offering natural sources of vitamins and minerals. Ensuring your bird is safe from any sharp objects, you can get them involved as you prepare a fresh batch of chop. For example, once you have minced or diced the ingredients, invite your bird over to supervise while you are mixing and divvying up portions. Some birds enjoy watching the preparation of food, as well as taste testing!

Special thanks to Sydney Duncan-Ford, Ontario Veterinary College, Class of 2026 for sharing this tip and photo/video of her birds.

Does keeping your feathered family member entertained seem like a constant puzzle? Visit our blog page on enrichment ideas to see all of the tips and tricks you may have missed.

https://www.aav.org/blogpost/1778905/AAV-Enrichment-Tips

Spot picking is a stereotypy where birds repeatedly touch a particular spot in the environment with their beak top. In canaries, spot picking was reduced through foraging enrichment.
1. Keiper RR. Causal factors of stereotypies in caged birds. Anim Behav. 1969;17:114-119.
2. Keiper RR. Studies of stereotypy function in the canary (Serinus canarius). Anim Behav. 1970;18:353-357.

Involving your birds in daily activities can provide enrichment and be simple! It can be as easy as setting up a perch in the office, putting a bird tree in the living room, or involving them with family activities. If you and your family play board games at home, you can include your bird during family game night. Watching the game and the excitement between family members can provide mental stimulation and a novel experience for your bird. Supervise your bird during play and be careful with any toxic paint or pieces that could be swallowed whole!

Special thanks to Sydney Duncan-Ford, Ontario Veterinary College, Class of 2026 for sharing this tip and photo of her bird.

Birds in the wild may have to change food resources depending on the time of year or due to habitat displacement. In captivity, it’s important to mentally stimulate birds by offering new foods with a variety of flavors, colors, and textures. There are many ways to incorporate new food into your bird’s diet. You can find seasonal non-toxic fruits and vegetables, bake bird-safe muffins or bread, and introduce new items into each batch of chop. Some birds may not initially be interested in novel food items; however, continue to offer the new item in different ways to help stimulate interest. You can offer the food cooked, raw, chopped in a bowl, whole, hung on a kabob, or by hand. Changing the way you present food can help stimulate their brain as they work to figure out how to eat it.

Special thanks to Sydney Duncan-Ford, Ontario Veterinary College, Class of 2026 for sharing this tip and photos of her birds.

While sunflower seeds are safe for pet birds, they contain very little nutritional benefit and a whole lot of fat! Excess sunflower seeds in the diet can lead to obesity, hepatic lipidosis (aka fatty liver syndrome), and nutritional deficiencies. Although sunflower seeds should not be a component of the normal diet, small amounts of these and other seeds can be used as training rewards during target training and other positive reinforcement training!

Remember bobbing for apples as a kid? It was fun to splash around, make a mess, and get a treat. Birds can play this same game with various food items. Offering treats in a bowl of water can encourage drinking, provide mental stimulation, and be a novel way to introduce new food items. (Association of Exotic Companion Mammals- this is a fun game for rats, too!)

Natural textures: Palm leaf
Palm leaves come from thousands of plants belonging to the Arecaceae and Palmae families. Palm leaves have been used for various purposes, including as building material, for baskets, as sleeping material, and for paper. Many companies offer palm leaves woven together into fun flowers, small baskets, or rope to be used for bird toys. These items are particularly helpful for foraging toys!

We have mentioned that various forms of enrichment can reduce stereotypies in birds (and other animals!) But what ARE stereotypical behaviors in birds? These repetitive, abnormal, and purposeless behaviors can be classified as oral, locomotor, or object-directed. Oral stereotypies in birds include wire chewing (chewing the cage bars) and sham chewing (beak movements with nothing in the mouth). Pacing, corner flips, and route-tracing and examples of locomotor stereotypes. Object-directed stereotypies can include screaming incessantly at an object and feather damaging. Stereotypies are rarely observed in wild birds, and they may represent a coping strategy for environmental-induced stress in captive birds. Various forms of enrichment- including social and foraging enrichment opportunities- have been shown to reduce stereotypic behaviors in birds.

Although social enrichment through interactions with other birds can be very beneficial, there are also risks, including spread of disease or injury. As discussed previously, compatibility must be evaluated before considered group housing of parrots, and interactions between birds should be supervised.

It has been suggested that parrots housed together will bond to each other and be less interactive with humans. Due to this concern, many birds are sold and kept in single-bird homes despite the known benefits of social enrichment. In a study evaluating young orange-winged Amazons housed singly or in pairs, parrots housed alone and in pairs both improved in response score to a familiar handler over the course of a year. Parrots housed in pairs were not found to be more aggressive or more fearful to human handlers than those housed singly. Furthermore, singly housed birds were more aggressive and fearful when tested with unfamiliar handlers than paired parrots. This indicates that paired birds were as capable as singly housed birds of interacting positively with human handlers and may respond better than singly housed birds in situations involving novel human stimuli!
1. Meehan CL, Garner JP, Mench JA. Isosexual pair housing improves the welfare of young Amazon parrots. Appl Anim Behav Sci. 2003;81:73-88

Have you ever gone looking for your chickens and found two piled into the same nest box while 5 other nest boxes are empty? Interestingly, in one study, hens reared alone chose empty cages rather than cages occupied by one other unfamiliar bird, but group-reared hens selected the occupied cages! In the same study, a group of 3 familiar hens was strongly preferred to a group of 3 unfamiliar hens, and a cage with their 3 buddies was preferred over an empty cage.
1. Hughes BO. Selection of group size by individual laying hens. Br Poult Sci. 1977;18:9-18.

Enrichment doesn’t need to be complicated! It can be as simple as slicing the banana with the peel on instead of offering pieces of peeled banana.

FESTIVE FOODS: Prickly pear (also known as nopal, sabra, and paddle cactus) is a cactus native to the eastern United States and northeastern Mexico. It is commonly grown in Italy and other parts of the Mediterranean for culinary use. In the northern hemisphere, the festive-colored fruit is harvested from around September through December. Prickly pear is a good source of fiber, minerals, and vitamins (including vitamins K and C). It is also full of antioxidants. Yuzu the parrotlet is not afraid of getting her beak dirty while trying a piece of prickly pear!

The holiday season can get hectic! Don’t forget to include your birds in the excitement of the season. It can be as simple as positive reinforcement training to get a picture of your feathered family member in front of the menorah or Christmas tree to baking a chicken-friendly gingerbread house! Do you have any holiday traditions with your birds? Share below!

Pictured: Anna's bird Quigley with a menorah and Jessica's bird Ben with his elf!

FESTIVE FOODS: Cranberries are another festive food that can be offered to birds. Cranberries, a member of the heather family, are high in vitamins (including vitamins C , E, and K) and contain a variety of bioactive plant compounds and antioxidants, including quercetin, myricetin, ursolic acid, and proanthocyanidins (PACs). These plant compounds are associated with a variety of health benefits in humans. Although fresh cranberries have the best health benefits, some birds may avoid them due to their sharp and sour taste. If offering dried cranberries, use a natural, unsulfured, and unsweetened product or make your own at home in a dehydrator or oven!

FESTIVE FOODS: Stir-up Sunday was on November 24th this year. During this UK tradition, families come together and prepare Christmas pudding, aka figgy pudding. Although a lot of recipes don’t contain figs, this holiday tradition gives us an excuse to talk about introducing figs to your birds! Figs are native to the Middle East and parts of Asia. They are a good source of fiber, calcium, iron, and vitamins (including vitamins K, A, and C). However, figs also contain natural sugars and should be fed in moderation.

One type of sensory enrichment not discussed frequently in avian species is olfactory enrichment. In a study performed at the Bronx Zoo in New York City, birds of prey were introduced to wrapped food packages and scent curing to indicate the presence of food in the exhibit. Results of the study showed that birds could associate a novel scent cue from a package with food inside, and birds handled scented packages more extensively than sham, unscented packages.

Reference: Slater MN, Hauber ME. Olfactory enrichment and scent cue associative learning in captive birds of prey. Zoo Biol. 2017;36(2):120-126.

Not all enrichment is created equal. Use of enrichment and its behavioral effect can vary by the type of enrichment being offered, species, age, and sex. For example, in Japanese quail, male birds consumed more novel foods when offered and spent more time observing social companions, whereas female birds used structural enrichment items and foraged more.

Reference: Miller KA, Mench JA. The differential effects of four types of environmental enrichment on the activity budgets, fearfulness, and social proximity preference of Japanese quail. Appl Anim Behav Sci. 2005;95:169-187.

In the wild, parrots often travel several miles between feeding sites. Once arriving at a feeding site, birds spend time searching, selecting the best food items, and manipulating food. In captivity, natural feeding behaviors may be dramatically reduced with little work or exercise required. How do you encourage your parrot to spend more time foraging?

PART 2: In addition to reducing fear responses to new items, research has shown that birds exposed to novelty during development are also less fearful of humans. In the orange-winged Amazon parrot study mentioned last week, environmental enrichment provided to juvenile birds reduced fear responses to unfamiliar human handlers—birds provided enrichment were more interactive with new people.

Reference: Meehan CL, Mench JA. Environmental enrichment affects the fear and exploratory responses to novelty of young Amazon parrots. Appl Anim Behav Sci. 2002;79(1):75-88.

PART 1: Novelty is considered a strong stimulus for fear reactions in animals. Exposure to environmental enrichment that increases exposure to novelty during development has been used in various species of mammals and birds to help reduce fear responses. For example, in an experiment involving 16 juvenile orange-winged Amazon parrots (Amazona amazonica), researchers found that parrots housed in cages with enrichment were less fearful of novel objects placed in their cages.

In Japanese quail, foraging and providing structural enrichment items has been shown to reduce pacing behavior. Birds provided foraging enrichment spent more time foraging for food and had increased overall activity levels!

Deep cleaning day means that’s it is time for toy and perch rotation! Although toys should be rotated regularly (every day or week) for most birds, pet owners and caregivers of other captive avian species should spend extra time on deep cleaning days to think about how the enclosure is being utilized and ways to increase movement, foraging, and use of enrichment items.

Wild parrots use a variety of acrobatic moves when foraging. They often have to navigate unstable branches, climb steep areas, and even cross the underside of branches to access their preferred food item. In order to encourage these same types of exercise in captivity, try providing food in bowls high in the cage without perches nearby, hanging from perches, or near swings or other mobile perches.

Bluebell the hyacinth doesn't mind hanging upside down if it means she gets a chance to find a nut hidden in a toy!

Free Parrot Enrichment Activity Book Available
Have you checked out the newest printable on the AAV Bird Owner Resources page? Download and share the Parrot Enrichment Activity Book, a free PDF booklet by Kris Porter. It is full of wonderful ideas for creating toys and enrichment activities for birds!
Find this and more great resources at:
https://www.aav.org/birdowners

Bluebell is a hyacinth macaw with a penchant for biting kitchen cabinets and other furniture if eyes are turned away from her for more than a couple of seconds. Chewing on wooden items is a normal behavior for psittacine birds. To help satisfy her urge to take big bites out of wood, her owner built her this bird stand. Made of non-treated, bird-safe fir, Bluebell can forage inside the box, perch on the edge, and chew as much as she wants!

What wood-based enrichment do you use for your birds?

The true behavioral needs of parrots in captivity are still largely unknown. One method researchers use to study avian behavioral needs is operant preference assessments. During these studies, the bird is given access to multiple stimuli simultaneously and allowed to engage with the stimuli for a predetermined amount of time. The observer records what stimuli the bird selects and engages with for the longest period of time. #AAVEnrichmentTip

Food enrichment: “Treat kabobs” can be offered by skewering fresh or dried fruits and vegetables using a commercial stainless steel kabob or a strip of leather. This provides an opportunity for birds to obtain these food items outside of the food dish—encouraging a variety of natural behaviors including foraging, climbing, and tearing. #AAVEnrichmentTip

With the abundance of fruit available during the summer, we wanted to remind bird owners that some fruits contain amygdalin, a cyanogenic glycoside toxin or type of cyanide compound, in the pits or seeds. For this reason, seeds/pits from apricots, peaches, plums, cherries, pears, and apples should never be fed to any pet birds (parrots, passerines, columbiforms, or poultry).

Summertime means lots of fresh fruit and vegetables! Don’t forget to save the parts you aren’t eating for your birds. Strawberry tops are a favored treat for many parrots and chickens (as well as exotic companion mammals like rabbits and guinea pigs!).

When training or offering new enrichment, it is important to pay attention to your bird’s body language. By understanding body language, you can ensure your bird is comfortable with interaction with you or a new item you may be introducing. Check out this great resource from LafeberVet: https://lafeber.com/vet/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Body-LanguageFINAL2.pdf

Here's a fun way to provide exercise, enrichment, and a safe place for a flying bird to land.

Photo shared from Phoenix Landing adopter Ania Gold - she found the net on Etsy.

Do you add dried herbs to your chickens dust bath? In addition to adding a pleasant smell to your feathered flock, some herbs are natural insecticides and can help keep insects away. Try adding lavender, sage, oregano, mint, parsley, basil, or rosemary when mixing up the next dust bath for your flock.

If your weekend plans involve binge-watching Bridgerton, let your parrots get in on the action by serving afternoon tea. There are many companies online that produce herbal teas specifically for parrots. You can also make your own using bird-safe herbs such as mint, chamomile, and lemon balm. Make the tea weak (dilute), and always let the tea cool completely before offering it to your bird. Herbal teas can provide enrichment and nutritional benefits to your parrot.

The size of the food reinforcer is equally as important as the type of reinforcer when training birds. If you offer a reward that is too large, it will take longer for the bird to eat the item and can disrupt the training rhythm, allowing the bird to get distracted. Large rewards may also lead to satiety and less motivation for your bird to participate in training. Small rewards that can be consumed in a few seconds are preferred for training.

New to foraging? If your bird is used to eating out of a dish try the following:
1. Switch the location of the food and water bowls
2. Add a new bowl in the cage in a different location
3. Add plastic or wood beads to the dish with the food
4. Cover part of the food with a small piece of paper that needs to be removed (start small so that they can still see the food!)

See AAV’s Foraging for Parrots handout on our Bird Owner Resources page for more great info!
https://www.aav.org/page/birdowners

Target training is a type of positive reinforcement training where an animal is asked to touch an item (the target) in order to receive a reinforcer (eg: a treat, being pet, or verbal praise). If you are unsure if you want to try target training with your bird, consider these benefits:
• Target training is a great form of social enrichment
• Can help build a stronger relationship with your pet
• May allow you to move your bird without handling
• Provides your pet with a choice of whether or not to participate
• Is a baseline for training more complex tasks

Parrots in the wild bathe regularly to maintain their feather quality. This should not be overlooked in the captive environment. Try gently misting your bird and seeing how they respond. If it’s well received, build up to giving them access to a shower. You can also try putting you bird outside when it’s raining – just be sure they are protected from predators and have shelter if they prefer it. Post some pictures of your bird enjoying a bath!

Trying to introduce a new food item to your feathered friend? Try mixing it with a food item your bird already loves. Blue the hyacinth macaw is a little skeptical of these new fresh figs…but that macadamia nut butter on top looks tempting.

Does your bird have flaky, non-exfoliative keratin on its beak? Lack of proper enrichment, including surfaces of different textures that your bird can rub its beak on, and nutritional deficiencies can contribute to this change.

During positive reinforcement training, a clicker can be used to indicate that your bird performed the appropriate behavior, and a reward is coming. The clicker is often referred to as a “bridge,” because it connects the desired behavior with the reward. You can use a commercial clicker, the click of a ballpoint pen, or a verbal click noise for this purpose.

During training, make sure the reinforcer (eg: the reward) is valued highly by your bird. Food rewards are often great motivators for birds. For parrots, a small piece of fresh or dried fruit, single seed, almond sliver, or other small piece of nut often works well. For chickens, try offering a dried mealworm, piece of strawberry, or sunflower seed.

Not every commercial or homemade enrichment item is 100% safe. Always supervise how your bird interacts with each toy or enrichment item.

Some birds tend to prefer a single type of toy, while ignoring others. To expand the variety of toys with which they will interact, here are two ideas:
1. Try adding their favorite toy part/material/texture to their other toys (eg: if they love to shred paper, wrap paper around the other toys)
2. Add new toy parts to their existing favorite toys one at a time (eg: if they have a toy with a paper tape roll, add wood, seagrass, or palm components)

Have a bird that likes to disassemble toys…and cages? Try offering a toy that allows the bird to move and turn parts, tighten or loosen elements, and chew. These types of toys provide manipulative (aka occupational) enrichment.

Fresh seeding grasses can be a great enrichment opportunity for small psittacines such as Budgies and Cockatiels. They enjoy manipulating the plant with their beak and picking out the seeds. Avoid picking from grass road verges, as they may be polluted with exhaust fumes or sprayed with pesticides. Try it with your bird and post your photos.

Interested in target training, but you don’t know where to start? First, you need a target! Ideally choose a target that your bird does not see outside of training sessions. That way they will know it is time to train as soon as the target is visible. Great options include a drumstick, thin piece of PVC pipe, or chopstick. Blue the hyacinth macaw’s target is a stainless-steel chop stick (which means she can give it a tiny squeeze without breaking it!)

Whole vegetables can be made into an easy foraging toy. Hollow out a small pumpkin, zucchini, butternut squash, acorn squash, or bell pepper and stuff it with other vegetables, pieces of fruit, nuts, and other favored treats. Your bird will enjoy pulling out the treats and destroying and eating some of the outer vegetable.