WHERE TO BUY & SAFETY. Purchase cage mounted food dishes at any pet store. Wicker baskets are available at most craft stores. If you watch the sales you can get them for 40 to 50% off the regular price. Select baskets that are plain, unfinished wicker without any nails, wire, or other metal. For larger birds, pick baskets with thick handles. For extra durability, wrap the handle with vegetable tanned leather or rope to prevent your bird from chewing through the handle too quickly. Hint: Keep the basket close to the bottom of the cage. Our bird (in the photo) chewed through the basket handle while sitting in the basket twice before she figured out why she crashed to the cage floor. Now, she rarely chews on the basket handle and baskets last 2-3 months.

PLACEMENT IN THE CAGE. Fasten the extra food dish beside a perch. Hang the basket from a chain or rope or over a sturdy perch with the edge of the basket beside a lower perch (see photos) so your bird can reach in to get toys. If you put the handle of the basket over a perch, tie the handle in place with a leather lace or rope. That way if your bird climbs on the handle, the basket won't slip or flip over.

HOURS OF INDEPENDENT PLAY. Fill the toy dish and toy basket with recycled toy parts, foot toys, and lots of interesting toy parts. Watch the fun as your birds spend hours playing independently. It's fun to see them sort through the toys like a kid with a toy chest. They'll play with one toy and go back for more. By the end of the day, the basket is nearly empty. In the evening, remove the basket, check the toys, and remove items that need to be cleaned or replaced. Each morning add new toys and toy parts.