Prince Toasty Buns Great reply. Thank you.
I guess what is important when birds are out, is to have areas that they can hang out on. I think that is one of the reasons my Teils spend so much time on their Gym.
It is hard for me to quantify as they were set free in the open confines of the conservatory. But I do know my friends Cockatiel has only a very small room to fly in and goes ape when he is first let out, lap after lap to start with. He is hand tame and will settle, but he is a Head Lander, he knows it is hard for you to get hold of him up there. Then when all the excitment is over he then will play with who ever is near. he needs body contact with humans.
Another has a Cockatoo and it only has a very small house to fly in, but has learn't to fly around without crashing into things.
Another thing I would like to add is If you cover glass windows to start with, what then happens if you then remove protective cover, does the bird then think this is an opening? And try to fly through it.
I did try to find out on another thread on another forum, the relationship between non flighted and destruction as I have not seen this behaviour in my own birds and I ask why. They never cause me any problems chewing things they are not allowed to. They only chew the gym or things I give them.
I also go out of my way to give them Natural things to eat or chew. This can be branches from trees to just tops in flower, fresh veges and weeds from the garden.
Funny as I just cut down a Silky Oak tree in flower. (Gravillea). I gave them a whole big branch, and that did not go down well to start with, but 2x days later I see Henry trying the flowers. All this takes time as they are not used to such treats.
Like it took them two months to start eating Mung Bean Sprouts. Now they get into them as soon as I put them out for them.
The gym is made from Manuka and Paperbark Gum which they love ( at least I think they do) Chewing on this keeps them occupied and is good for the beak and nails.
I am sorry I am not into toys one buys at a pet shop. They only get natural things to play with or eat.
I am not sure you can call this foraging but here is a vid of Tweety getting excited about some fresh Paperbark tops, even with her deformed feet she was still keen to get stuck in.
I think you can say she was very happy to see this get put up on the gym for her.
Yes I would say we need to entertain any bird we have, it is just a matter of finding out what turns them on. It is easy in a cage just buy some more toys. but when flying free they may need something to keep them out of trouble.
YouTube - Tweety in seventh heaven "Lost"