Toys for Cockatiels and parakeets

[tlfisher]

I want to make some toys for my cockatiel in my parakeet. I use to make toys for Wylie. Wylie is a large macaw that would chew or break the beads, but she did not eat them. I'm worried about using beads with cockatiel and parakeet. I'm afraid they might swallow them.
Any ideas? They both love the paper I use to wrap treats.

 

[crimson]

as long as the beads are big enough, it shouldn't be a problem, larger than 1/4"

anything shreddable is ideal, cardboard, thin pieces of *safe* wood.

parakeets and cockatiels love brightly coloured toys, especially ones that dangle.....just make sure they can't get caught up in them.

 

[jenphilly]

Desktop calculator rolls of paper. ...

 

[moochyesh]

My keets love bells, anything with a bell hooked on is a big hit with them. Foraging toys are a great idea too. Lunch bags with some treats and shredded paper, Toilet paper tubs wrapped in paper with treats inside. Get the mind working and give them something to do that will exercise their mind.

 

[tlfisher]

Well I've got bells and I've been making paper folds for foraging. I was told maybe there should not be mirrors in their cages but they seem to love them.

 

[moochyesh]

The issue people have with mirrors is that they feel a bond will be created with a mirror and they will turn on you, All my smaller birds OTHER than my lovebird have mirrors and they are fine with it.

 

[MonicaMc]

I don't recommend mirrors. It's not just the human-bird bond, but it's also about their mentality. I mentioned to someone else why I don't like mirrors.

http://www.parrotforums.com/budgies-parakeets-cockatiels/42473-oooops-i-did-again-2.html#post373889


You can get some good ideas of toys for small birds in stores that sell toys for a variety of birds. Beads, craft sticks, bells (clappers may potentially be dangerous), yucca toys, balsa toys, etc may all be great toys for them!

Small bird toys DISCOUNTED

 

[tlfisher]

After I got home from running errands today sweetie was crouched in the cage right in front of the mirror and was hissing at me and rather than one to step up. I did make a tree play stand for them. Trish and sweetie seemed to enjoy it.

 

[tlfisher]

I'm going to give sweetie one more day with the mirror. If he still very protective and hissing of it I think I might just remove it. I have so many toys that I want to make. Thanks everyone for the awesome links and advice!!!

 

[tlfisher]

I hope my parakeet cannot mate with a cockatiel. Just a weird question. I know I've seen some really strange mix in dogs.
I don't think it matters cause I begin to think I have two she's.

 

[MonicaMc]

I have yet to see a hybrid budgie!!!! I have heard of them, but have not seen any proof of such a hybrid! So you're safe in that regard!


Cockatiels however can indeed hybridize with other birds - those being cockatoos. Hybrid cockatiels are very rare, and it's only been a recent discovery that cockatiels can even hybridize with cockatoos. (recent as in the past 10 years?) The only confirmed cockatiel hybrids I know of are out of Australia, although someone in the USA did claim to have a hybrid cockatiel.


They can definitely mate, just not successfully reproduce.

 

[tlfisher]

Right now sweetie just wants to rip off trish's leg band. I doubt they would get close enough to cuddle let alone mate.

 

[Allee]

My cockatiel plays with all her toys, but her favorite is a basketball toy made for small birds. It has a small mirror behind it, but she doesn't seem to have any issues because of it. My parakeet's favorite toy is vegetable dyed strips of leather with beads tied to them. They also like shreddable toys and paper wrapped wooden beads. They have mirrors in their cage but neither one is overly attached to them, so far at least.