Whether you own an indoor budgie or enjoy bird watching from your window, finding suitable bird toys that are fun and fit for purpose can be confusing and even controversial. One of the main problems with some bird toys is that they can contain certain materials, and even rope fibres, that are considered to be dangerous to birds.
So what rope types are safe for bird toys and what should be avoided?
In this blog, Rope Warehouse are here to give you peace of mind, letting you in on the right rope types to help avoid injury and to keep your bird happy, healthy and safe.
Why Do Birds Enjoy Playing With Toys?
Although popular opinion and certain idioms such as 'bird brain' would have you believe that they lack intelligence, birds are actually incredibly smart creatures. From spatially adept homing pigeons to master mimics such as mockingbirds and even New Caledonian crows that make tools to eat grubs; these fascinating members of the species sit comfortably alongside the smartest creatures on the planet, such as dolphins and great apes. Even household birds like budgies and parrots need to be occupied and trained, both for physical exercise and mental acuity.
What Toys Do Birds Like Playing With?
Toys help to provide indoor birds with much needed mental and physical stimulation, allowing them to hang, chew, discover and dismantle things. In fact, bird have a naturally destructive nature and will reduce things to pieces if you give them a chance. This is why they typically love playing with branches, twigs, hide-based dog toys and of course, natural fibre rope.
What Rope Types Are Safe For Birds?
If you want to buy your bird some rope to play with, make sure that it is natural fibre rope. Rope Warehouse recommend our Natural Fibre Sisal Rope as the safest option for birds. The natural plant-based fibre strands used in the composition of these ropes are perfect for keeping birds occupied, preventing issues like feather picking. They're also far safer than synthetic fibre ropes which should never be used as bird toys.
What Rope Types Should I Avoid?
Nylon, Polypropylene and other synthetic fibre ropes should never be given to your bird. This is due to the man-made fibre strands that are incredibly hard to break if they unravel, sometimes causing birds to get dangerously tangled up and unable to break free. Birds can also get cut, injured, constricted and even die if they come into contact with unkempt synthetic fibre ropes, so make sure you avoid them at all cost.
How Can I Keep My Bird Safe?
Firstly, always check to make sure that the rope you buy is as safe as possible for your bird. Although we generally recommend our natural fibre sisal, we always advise that customers do some research first on your individual bird species and find out what is safest for them to play with. When a suitable rope toy is in use, make sure you keep it neat and tidy by trimming off any loose strands to prevent accidents. If a toy becomes too frayed or damaged, always throw it away. We also recommend regularly trimming nails and claws and keeping their beak trimmed by taking your pet to a bird grooming professional.
Disclaimer: To ensure the highest level of safety, always make sure you have thoroughly researched your bird species before you buy any rope intended to be used as a bird toy. Rope Warehouse accept no liability for any injury to birds however caused.
