Wooden spoons for parrots?

Clueless

New member
Feb 14, 2012
78
0
Missouri
Parrots
Secret & MC, two blue front amazons
We own two amazons and we have family members that like to care for them when we're away. They want to give treats to the birds but they've managed to get snagged by the beaks when they do this. I also have little children in the neighborhood that will eventually meet the birds and I know they will want to give treats too.

Has anyone ever used wooden spoons to give the birds a treat (to keep fingers safe). Then the bird could use the spoon as a toy and shred it? Is there certain wooden spoons I should look for? I've heard of people giving parrots a plastic spoon with peanut butter on it - but I would worry the plastic breaking could hurt the bird.
 

roxynoodle

New member
Dec 1, 2011
4,499
2
Wood is probably safer than plastic although my amazon loves ripping up plastic. I worry he could ingest some, but so far he hasn't.

How about putting the treats on a clean popsicle stick? Cheaper than buying spoons for them.
 

Pedro

New member
Dec 15, 2010
1,583
3
Australia
Parrots
2 Budgies, 3 Cockatiels, 6 GCC'S, 2 Crimson Bellie Conures, 9 Sun Conures, 2 Major Mitchells, 12 Eclectus parrots of various ages, 2 BF Amazons, 2 Hahn's Macaw's, 1 Red Tail Black Too
I think i would discourage the neighbour kids from giving treats. Especially if the birds are known to bite.

I buy wooded spoons from the $1 store for my parrots to play with. Also baby feeding spoons last a bit longer than the plastic throw away ones.

I give my SC2 a SS teaspoon to play with.
 

BillsBirds

Well-known member
Jan 9, 2012
1,371
40
Largo, Florida
Parrots
Timneh African Grey (Bailey), Lovebird (Elvis)
When I have a particularly aggressive bird that I want to "break the ice" with, (but, not my fingers), I use long, thin pretzels with a dab of peanut butter. And, I give my birds wooden spoons from the dollar store also.
 

roxynoodle

New member
Dec 1, 2011
4,499
2
I'm going to have to check out the dollar store. Pete will hold a tablespoon and eat off of it. He would probably like wooden spoons to hold and chew up.
 
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Clueless

New member
Feb 14, 2012
78
0
Missouri
Parrots
Secret & MC, two blue front amazons
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The spoons would be easier for my in-laws. One is in his 80's and they love the birds. They've been pinched when offering a cheerio or small peanut to the birds in the past. The parrots like treats - so I think I'll go find the spoons and buy them. I found some online that said they actually decompose within 60 days - I guess I just need to make sure they aren't made from trees that are bad for them? With regard to children - most have never been around a pet parrot. I wonder if they make wheat sticks without salt? Treats are only offered by visitors when the birds are in their cages. These are rescued parrots and even if they were super gentle, I'd be reluctant to trust them.

About that issue - I've made strides with the parrots in the last 6 months, but last night had another set back. Secret (the blue front) had been sitting directly on my hand. She likes to move around when there - waves a foot, and then steps on the other hand when it's presented. Her eyes pinned while she was out during last nights one-on-one session but it happened while she was moving from one hand to the other . . . . she then had both hands trapped with a foot - and proceeded to use her beak to explain she was not happy. After several bites (how do you get loose from one of these?), we made it to the floor together, she walked to her cage, climbed up and was not happy. I was scared all was going to be lost but after allowing her to calm down - she stepped back onto the wooden "T" perch that I use. I talked to her for a while -then put her back in her cage and gave up for the evening.

I'm still negotiating with the orange wing to get him to step ONTO a hand. He's reluctant to step on the stick right now and yes, he got to watch Secret pitch a fit.
 

suebee

New member
Jan 13, 2011
2,394
3
i always say to my guests especially children *no matter how cutely nut looks at you, DO NOT PUT YOUR FINGERS INTO HER CAGE

but like the wooden spoon idea, as long as they know not to insist the birds take the treat, or worse children playing tug of war with the birds with it!

nut is happy to take food off a chopsticks, forks etc lol
 

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