Cockatoos and Toys....

ToMang07

Active member
Jul 14, 2015
1,012
17
Maine, USA
Parrots
Willow the Umbrella Cockatoo
Always a challenge, finding toys that last, as a determined Too is the definition of obsession when focused on something.

I try to get both new toys and "favorites" with longevity in mind. No sense spending $40 on a toy that is destroyed in 20 minutes.

I recently added a "bucket" that has a bunch of spoons and other toys attached, and I'm always putting new toys and recycled toy parts in it as encouragement to forage a bit, as well as supplement other toys.

I got these "screws" and tried getting Willow to work on taking the nuts off, showing how, and frankly s/he found it frustrating. I picked them up off the cage floor before work and put them in the toy bucket.

Got home, went to release the feathered beaver and saw the nuts off in the catch tray... Yay! FINALLY figured out...

Well... sorta.

Still got them unscrewed..... still counts, right???
8f706d34034c100f2caf1e9ee80d01c2.jpg
f020b78eb6a9fc662c1a5cc2ab044fa9.jpg


Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk
 

Scott

Supporting Member
Aug 21, 2010
32,673
9,789
San Diego, California USA, Earth, Milky Way Galaxy
Parrots
Goffins: Gabby, Abby, Squeaky, Peanut, Popcorn / Citron: Alice / Eclectus: Angel /Timneh Grey: ET / Blue Fronted Amazon: Gonzo /

RIP Gandalf and Big Bird, you are missed.
Seems Willow found her creative method of unthreading!! Plenty of material left for chewing!!
 

Betrisher

Well-known member
Jun 3, 2013
4,253
177
Newcastle, NSW, Australia
Parrots
Dominic: Galah(RIP: 1981-2018); The Lovies: Four Blue Masked Lovebirds; Barney and Madge (The Beaks): Alexandrines; Miss Rosetta Stone: Little Corella
My birds enjoy actual stainless steel nuts and bolts screwed into thick cardboard. Wing nuts are handy, but you have to be careful they don't get lost in the bottom of the cage.

Timber is a must-have for cockies (IMHO). I use untreated pallets, which I can get for free from a local bloke. I just make sure I've removed all nails/screws and place a slat on top f each cage. The birds will hang upside-down and chomp away until the whole slat becomes matchwood.

Natural branches are pretty good too, although you have to recognise they can harbour nasty spiders and bugs. This doesn't worry me, but it might worry you. Stripping bark off natural wood is probably a cocky's favourite pastime. When the branch has been stripped clean, it will make a nice, foot-friendly perch for your cage.

When I can't get timber, I get cardboard boxes from local appliance shops (and the pizzeria). My Madge can turn a fridge carton into confetti in less than a day! Rosetta's not too bad at it either. Egg cartons are good to make foraging toys. You just fill the egg-holes with tightly wadded paper and stuff, hiding treats or pellets inside.

I don't know how athletic Umbrella cockatoos are, but my Rosetta just adores hurling herself around on her cage ropes. She has a cargo net, a rope swing and a rope that dangles free almost to the floor. She'll swing like a mad thing, yelling all the while and working off her excess energy.

I hope some of these ideas are a help to you. It's always important to keep a cocky busily entertained. :)
 
OP
ToMang07

ToMang07

Active member
Jul 14, 2015
1,012
17
Maine, USA
Parrots
Willow the Umbrella Cockatoo
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #4
My birds enjoy actual stainless steel nuts and bolts screwed into thick cardboard. Wing nuts are handy, but you have to be careful they don't get lost in the bottom of the cage.

Timber is a must-have for cockies (IMHO). I use untreated pallets, which I can get for free from a local bloke. I just make sure I've removed all nails/screws and place a slat on top f each cage. The birds will hang upside-down and chomp away until the whole slat becomes matchwood.

Natural branches are pretty good too, although you have to recognise they can harbour nasty spiders and bugs. This doesn't worry me, but it might worry you. Stripping bark off natural wood is probably a cocky's favourite pastime. When the branch has been stripped clean, it will make a nice, foot-friendly perch for your cage.

When I can't get timber, I get cardboard boxes from local appliance shops (and the pizzeria). My Madge can turn a fridge carton into confetti in less than a day! Rosetta's not too bad at it either. Egg cartons are good to make foraging toys. You just fill the egg-holes with tightly wadded paper and stuff, hiding treats or pellets inside.

I don't know how athletic Umbrella cockatoos are, but my Rosetta just adores hurling herself around on her cage ropes. She has a cargo net, a rope swing and a rope that dangles free almost to the floor. She'll swing like a mad thing, yelling all the while and working off her excess energy.

I hope some of these ideas are a help to you. It's always important to keep a cocky busily entertained. :)
Oh Willow gets all of the above, don't worry, however s/he isn't usually as much a fan of the homemade ones.

I have a few stainless toys I bought, but Willow shows little interest, I haven't seen any that are big enough I'd be comfortable leaving in the cage.

I DID however recently buy a plastic hanging "chest" that's great for putting things in to keep that break busy.... Willow really seems to like this thing a lot.
8b64d21628f444c1afdf7df852c62cab.jpg


Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk
 

wrench13

Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Parrot of the Month 🏆
Nov 22, 2015
11,383
Media
14
Albums
2
12,567
Isle of Long, NY
Parrots
Yellow Shoulder Amazon, Salty
Willow is priceless! Smart birdy. Salty has those plastic nuts n bolts too, but his solution is to throw them out of his cage as soon as the door is open. They are the first ones to get the heave ho. Next are the rubber dongles for dogs. If you want, I have some big stainless steel bolts and nuts that I can send you, 3/4" diameter, nice n shiny.
 
OP
ToMang07

ToMang07

Active member
Jul 14, 2015
1,012
17
Maine, USA
Parrots
Willow the Umbrella Cockatoo
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #7
Willow is priceless! Smart birdy. Salty has those plastic nuts n bolts too, but his solution is to throw them out of his cage as soon as the door is open. They are the first ones to get the heave ho. Next are the rubber dongles for dogs. If you want, I have some big stainless steel bolts and nuts that I can send you, 3/4" diameter, nice n shiny.
I may take you up on that, thank you

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk
 

Most Reactions

Top