Maybe you could get a bongo box from
LMBT (Mizzely). Then you can try different textures and strengths, see what he likes and is able to play with.
We’re having some success with sola balls and palm shredders!
It really didn’t occur to me that I would need to teach him to play. He didn’t look or act neglected when he came home, or at least what I envision a neglected bird looking like.
He’s very smart and an adult bird, so I just automatically assumed he’d know what to do with toys.
His old owner insisted he be adopted in his home cage. It’s reasonably sized and seemed like it might help him adapt more easily so that’s what I did.
He has plenty of toys, but they could easily be 15+ years old because they’re so faded. And he doesn’t really play with them other than to regurgitate on them.
I can see now that he’s never had enrichment or foraged. His toys weren’t ever rotated, so they’ve become just a backdrop he mostly ignores.
He also doesn’t like new things or changes, probably partly because he’s had the same setup . I’m introducing foot toys and in-bowl foraging. We will work up from that.
Crazy that an outwardly happy and well-adjusted bird was so neglected. The other bird that came from his home was a fully plucked blue crown conure. That poor little guy wears his scars.
Now Cosmo will know nothing but love from his humans and get the best possible care.
It’s likely I’ll move sometime in the next year. Once we’re settled in he will get a much bigger cage. Probably something like a double macaw cage with divider removed.
I believe in huge cages and free-flighted birds. My birds’ vets are always surprised at how well-muscled they are. Well, that’s because they fly so much. My cockatiel just comes out, flies a lap, lands on me, gets an scratch, and takes back off!
The trade off is that they’re constrained to “the bird room” to avoid escapes or dog attacks. But it’s where I spend most of my free time so they’re not just shoved into a back room. I WFH in their room most days. They’re the best coworkers, even though one of them screams at me. Luckily that’s my favorite little gremlin, bender the green cheek, who in my eyes can do no wrong!
