How to Entertain Your Bird While You're Gone

Pet birds, especially parrots, are very intelligent and require a lot of stimulation to prevent problem behaviors such as screaming and feather plucking. Since most bird owners work outside the home, their pets spend much of the day without human companionship. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to keep your bird occupied and out of trouble while you're away.

Things You'll Need

  • Several toys appropriate for your bird's species
  • Old newspapers or small cardboard boxes
  • Bird treats
  • TV or radio
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Instructions

    • 1

      Offer your bird a wide variety of toys, including some that are destructible. Birds love to chew and dismantle their toys, and a well-constructed toy can keep a bird occupied for hours. For best results, keep three or four sets of toys and rotate them weekly.

    • 2

      Encourage your bird to forage by placing his favorite treats in hidden locations around his cage. You can hide a nut or sunflower seed inside wadded newspaper or a small cardboard box. Toys designed to create foraging opportunities are available at most specialty bird stores and on the internet.

    • 3

      Give your bird something to watch or listen to. Some birds enjoy watching television while their owners are away, and others prefer the radio. To avoid an overexcited bird screaming and disturbing the neighbors, you should try low key programming such as classical music or TV shows intended for very young children.

    • 4

      Consider giving your bird her own "pet." Many birds enjoy watching fish swimming in a nearby fish tank. Parrots are often amused by the antics of a smaller bird, such as a zebra finch, playing in a nearby cage.

    • 5

      Consider investing in a flight cage if your bird will be spending a lot of time alone. Flight cages not only allow your bird to fly, but have much more room to hang additional toys and create foraging opportunities.