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Enrichment for a lonely single bird

hrafn

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Hi, everybirdy! It's me again.

I need some help thinking of ways to add enrichment to solitary Kraz tiel's life. He's still not used to being the only bird in the house (he flock calls for Kamara endlessly), and my hours at work have increased, so he also doesn't get as much time with me as he's accustomed to. He was spoiled for companionship for years and now he's terribly lonely, and needs something to keep his mind occupied.

Currently, he has a regular toy rotation, foraging opportunities, and I also gave in and got him a mirror (good idea? Bad idea?) but I don't know what else to do. Is there anything else I can do? Past me would have adopted another cockatiel, but of course that's no longer an option lol
 

BirdG1rl

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Hmmm. My tiel Rocky was used to being around other tiels so when I adopted him I needed to have some foraging and enrichment to keep him occupied. Can you maybe post pics of your setup to see if there’s anything that can be improved or rearranged for maximum utilization? Have you tried adding shredding toys? These can keep my tiel occupied for ages! He also enjoys tough chewing toys that he will work at for a long time before getting bored.
 

Lady Jane

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Have you tried mental and physical exercise? Mental would be puzzles birds like to take apart. Perhaps in the baby toy section or make it yourself. Exercise of course is flying, climbing and could you put up exercise climbing nets, ladders? Hang lots of landing places from the celling.
 

rocky'smom

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Ditto girl how are you???
Try cardboard oat meal box take the top off. If the bottom is cardboard punch a hole dead center in the middle, put a SS bolt and a large SS washer inside, run the bolt thru the bars another SS washer and wing nut. In the box you can add birdy bagels, corn husks, shred about anything to enrich his life. Plus the oatmeal box is fun to tear apart too.
 

hrafn

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Hmmm. My tiel Rocky was used to being around other tiels so when I adopted him I needed to have some foraging and enrichment to keep him occupied. Can you maybe post pics of your setup to see if there’s anything that can be improved or rearranged for maximum utilization? Have you tried adding shredding toys? These can keep my tiel occupied for ages! He also enjoys tough chewing toys that he will work at for a long time before getting bored.
This is the current setup; not the best photos, but Kraz is asleep so I'm posting what few images I have on my phone lmao

1634786480138.png 1634786538520.png

Have you tried mental and physical exercise? Mental would be puzzles birds like to take apart. Perhaps in the baby toy section or make it yourself. Exercise of course is flying, climbing and could you put up exercise climbing nets, ladders? Hang lots of landing places from the celling.
Puzzles are a great idea! I'll see what I can think of or find -- Kraz has a great mind for foraging, so puzzle toys would probably be fantatic for him. Thank you!
He is a little bit cagebound and has been since I got him, but he'll come out to fly around and investigate his tree stand when I'm in the room with him. I'll add some more climbing space for him!

Great to see you, @hrafn!!
Ditto girl how are you???
Try cardboard oat meal box take the top off. If the bottom is cardboard punch a hole dead center in the middle, put a SS bolt and a large SS washer inside, run the bolt thru the bars another SS washer and wing nut. In the box you can add birdy bagels, corn husks, shred about anything to enrich his life. Plus the oatmeal box is fun to tear apart too.
Hello, loves! I've missed you! :grouphug3:
That's an awesome idea, Laurie, thank you so much
 

jazzy

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Ditto girl how are you???
Try cardboard oat meal box take the top off. If the bottom is cardboard punch a hole dead center in the middle, put a SS bolt and a large SS washer inside, run the bolt thru the bars another SS washer and wing nut. In the box you can add birdy bagels, corn husks, shred about anything to enrich his life. Plus the oatmeal box is fun to tear apart too.
I love the idea about the oatmeal box!!I have a shredder (ripper, chewer, destroyer!) :laugh: am always looking for more ideas to keep her entertained. Thank you
 

sunnysmom

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I sometimes give my tiels a shallow dish or box and fill it with crinkle paper, small toys etc and hide a couple seeds or something they like. They enjoy foraging and tossing things around.
 

macawpower58

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My sister has an old TV they leave on. Mainly cartoons.
I think the set left on low is ambient noise for them to listen to.
Perhaps a radio?
 

JLcribber

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Is there anything else I can do? Past me would have adopted another cockatiel, but of course that's no longer an option
Why isn't that an option? That is the real solution. A solitary bird is a lonely bird. No way around it.
 

MR. Mango

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I would recommend removing the mirror they can lead to hormonal and psychological problems since birds often consider their reflections as other birds and can become to self absorbed/ obsessed with the mirror or even see it as a mate
 

Shezbug

ASK ME FOR PICTURES OF MY MACAW!
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Good to hear from you! I hope you had an awesome Christmas and New Years Eve.

I hope you can find some new things to keep Kraz happy and busy :)
 
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