How to Select Foraging Toys.  

All birds need to forage.  Here's how to pick several foraging toys that will keep your birds busy and happy.  Consider: 1) bird size, 2) the difficulty level of the toy, and 3) the durability of the toy. 

• BIRD SIZE.  Select a toy size that your bird can hold in his foot or one that can be hung (if it's too big for a foot toy).
• DIFFICULTY LEVEL.  Foraging toys should challenge your bird without being so difficult that they give up.  Most toys can be modified to make them a little harder or easier to solve.
• DURABILITY.  Select toys in a range of durability.  Birds enjoy being able to tear or break open a "shell" or covering to get their food.  Balance this with durable foraging toys that can be easily washed and refilled.

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FORAGING RECOMMENDATIONS BY BIRD SIZE

• SMALL BIRDS (Senegal, Caique, Quaker, etc.).  
  • Hanging version of the cone toy.  
  • In the wood & paper toys select from wood foraging tubes,  straw hat toy, or paper cups.  
  • The best hanging toys are Flower Power or Peek-A-Boo.  
  • For small birds, choose the ½-inch or ¾-inch Clearly Fun PVC Foraging tubes.  The mid-sized set (skewer and three tubes) is also good for small birds. 
  • Get medium cage mounted foraging cups with lids and place them around the cage.  
  • The Birdie Bagel tubes (3" hanging tube) can be stuffed with goodies wrapped in paper.  
  • In the QUICK SHOP section get Toy Bag #4 for small birds or the Foraging Sampler.  In Toy Bag #4, ask us to substitute the hanging cone toy for the regular cone foraging toy (works for bigger birds).  Another favorite is the Foraging Sampler (item #4).
     
• MEDIUM BIRDS (grey, Amazon, eclectus, small cockatoo, etc.).   
  • TOP PICK FOR COCKATOOS: Locked Up Loot
  • TOP PICKS FOR OTHER MEDIUM BIRDS: Clearly Fun PVC Foraging Tubes and Wood Foraging Cups
  • Foot toy or hanging version of the cone toy.  
  • In the wood & paper toys select any item -- wood foraging tubes, wood foraging boxes, or paper cups.  
  • In Hanging toys, choose Locked Up Loot (especially for cockatoos), Flower Power, or Peek-A-Boo.  
  • For medium birds, choose the ½-inch, ¾-inch, or 1-inch Clearly Fun PVC Foraging tubes.  The mid-sized set (skewer and three tubes) is also good for medium sized birds.
  • Get medium or large cage mounted foraging cups with lids and place them around the cage.  
  • Stuff Birdie Bagel Bites (tubes) 3-inch long with nuts and other treats.  Use as foot toys or hang.  They can be stuffed with goodies wrapped in paper.  
  • In the QUICK SHOP section, all items are appropriate for mid-sized birds.
     
• BIG BIRDS (blue & gold macaw, other large macaws, and large cockatoos).   
  • TOP PICK: Locked Up Loot Super Set
  • In the wood & paper toys select any item -- wood foraging tubes, wood foraging boxes, or paper cups.  
  • In Hanging toys, choose Locked Up Loot (especially for cockatoos -- macaws too).  
  • For big birds, choose the ¾-inch, 1-inch, or 1½-inch Clearly Fun PVC Foraging tubes.  The large set (skewer and three tubes) is also good for big birds.  
  • Get small or medium cage mounted foraging cups with lids and place them around the cage.  
  • Stuff Birdie Bagel Bites (tubes) 3-inch long with nuts and other treats.  Use as foot toys or hang.  They can be stuffed with goodies wrapped in paper.  
  • In the QUICK SHOP section, we recommend Toy Bag #5 for some large birds.  Also see the wood foraging set and foraging demo box.

• DIFFICULTY LEVEL.  Foraging toys should challenge your bird without being so difficult that they give up.  Most toys can be modified to make them a little harder or easier to solve.
• DURABILITY.  Select toys in a range of durability.  Birds enjoy being able to tear or break open a "shell" or covering to get their food.  Balance this with durable foraging toys that can be easily washed and refilled.