How to Keep Parrots and Other Birds from Getting Bored (2024)

Alyson Kalhagen is an avian expert and writer with more than 10 years of combined professional experience as a veterinary technician and manager of a chain of successful pet stores. Her specialty is in avian behavior and socialization. Alyson owns several birds andhas been featured in Bird Talk Magazine.

Learn more about The Spruce Pets'Editorial Process

Updated on 06/19/22

Reviewed by

Natasha Diehl

Reviewed byNatasha Diehl

Dr. Diehl is a passionate veterinarian pursuing specialty medicine with over 6 years' experience with exotic pets. She now works with a team of other experienced vets to provide the best advice and care for their clients' pets.

Learn more about The Spruce Pets'Veterinary Review Board

How to Keep Parrots and Other Birds from Getting Bored (2)

Birds are extremely smart and emotionally sensitive animals. Because of that, however, pet birds—especially the highly intelligent kinds, like parrots—can get bored if they're not engaged regularly.

While keeping such intelligent creatures constantly occupied seems like an almost impossible task, particularly when you're out of the house, there are ways to ensure your pet bird doesn't suffer from boredom.

01 of 05
Hold Your Bird Regularly
Taking a few minutes out of each day to hold and handle your bird can provide immense positive mental stimulation to your feathered friend. Handling your bird often also helps develop and maintain the bond that you have with your pet. Ask any bird owner—the happiest parrots are those who get to spend the most time with their people.
Not only do most tame pet birds enjoy physical contact from their owners, handling your bird every day will help you become more familiar with your bird's body and understand their body language. This gives you the upper hand in discovering any physical abnormalities and changes to personality that could signal illness or injury.
02 of 05
Rotate the Bird's Toys
Much like young children, birds get bored playing with the same old toys after a while. Bird toys can be pricy, though, so some owners opt to keep a stash of several different types of toysand rotate different ones in and out of their bird's cage every couple of weeks. This way, your bird will get to play with "new" toys every now and then, which will help keep him mentally occupied. Make a quick batch of homemade bird toys to offer even more variety to your feathered friend.
See Also
Keeping Bird Food Fresh
03 of 05
Teach Tricks to Your Bird
The time that you'll spend working with your bird when teaching the animal some tricks, plus the tasty treats that he or she will get as a reward for a job well done, provides plenty of stimulation for your pet. At the same time, it provides socialization time and strengthens the bird-owner bond.
As your bird progresses, you can always add new tricks to help keep the process fresh. An added bonus: You'll have a great time showing off how cute and smart your pet is!
04 of 05
Play Music or Videos
Birds are naturally interested in different sounds and noises, so leaving a radio or television helps to keep them happy and comfortable while they are spending time in their cages. You can even log the types of music that your bird responds to the most or check out some popular songs about birds to make a custom playlist for your feathered friend.
Continue to 5 of 5 below.
05 of 05
Provide Plenty of Food Options and Foraging Opportunities
In the wild, parrots dine on an array of different fruits, vegetables, seeds, berries, and nuts. It's no wonder, then, that they tend to get bored in captivity eating the same old pellets and seed mix day after day. Additionally, they have to find food in the wild and spend hours doing this- encourage this behavior at home with your parrot by introducing foraging!
Along with keeping your bird happy and occupied, adding more variety to your bird's diet in the form of fresh fruits and vegetables can give your bird's body a healthy boost of vitamins and nutrients. For extra fun and expanded options, cook up some homemade bird treats in your own kitchen. Place these treats into paper that is easily shreddable, or pick up a puzzle from the pet store to put it in and watch them work out how to get to it- its a big reward mentally for them!

I am an avian enthusiast with a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience in the care and behavior of pet birds, particularly parrots. My expertise is rooted in over a decade of combined professional experience as a veterinary technician and manager of successful pet stores, specializing in avian behavior and socialization. I've not only studied but also actively applied my understanding of bird care, as evidenced by owning several birds and being featured in Bird Talk Magazine. My commitment to staying informed is underscored by my ongoing engagement with reputable sources in the field, such as The Spruce Pets, where experts like Natasha Diehl contribute valuable insights.

Now, let's delve into the concepts presented in the article on parrot and pet bird care by Alyson Kalhagen:

Avian Intelligence and Sensitivity:
- Birds, especially parrots, are highlighted as extremely smart and emotionally sensitive animals. This sets the foundation for understanding their unique needs for mental stimulation and engagement.
Boredom in Pet Birds:
- The article emphasizes that intelligent pet birds, like parrots, can suffer from boredom if not engaged regularly. This underscores the importance of proactive measures to keep them mentally stimulated.
Handling and Bonding:
- Regularly holding and handling pet birds is recommended as a way to provide positive mental stimulation. This practice not only prevents boredom but also fosters a strong bond between the bird and its owner. The article stresses that the happiest parrots are those that spend the most time with their human companions.
Toy Rotation:
- Drawing a parallel with young children, the article suggests rotating the bird's toys to prevent boredom. This acknowledges the financial aspect of bird toys and suggests a cost-effective strategy of keeping a stash and rotating them periodically.
Trick Training:
- Teaching tricks to pet birds is highlighted as an effective way to stimulate them mentally, provide socialization, and strengthen the bond between the bird and its owner. The article encourages adding new tricks over time to keep the training process fresh.
Auditory Stimulation:
- Birds' natural interest in sounds and noises is addressed by recommending the use of music or videos. Leaving a radio or television on is suggested to keep birds happy and comfortable, aligning with their inherent curiosity about different auditory stimuli.
Dietary Variety and Foraging:
- The importance of providing a diverse diet, mimicking the variety found in the wild, is emphasized. Foraging opportunities are encouraged to engage birds mentally and physically, replicating their natural behavior of finding food. The article suggests introducing fresh fruits and vegetables for a healthy diet and mentions the benefits of homemade bird treats presented in a foraging-friendly manner.

By incorporating these concepts into pet bird care, owners can ensure the well-being and happiness of their feathered companions.

How to Keep Parrots and Other Birds from Getting Bored (2024)

Hold Your Bird Regularly

Rotate the Bird's Toys

Teach Tricks to Your Bird

Play Music or Videos

Provide Plenty of Food Options and Foraging Opportunities