There’s no doubt about it, the eclectus parrot is a thinker. Foraging toys such as those found in the forage-wise range really press their buttons. The downside is that it doesn’t take them long to figure them out. Fortunately the satisfaction of foraging doesn’t require a puzzle to be solved and many toys not originally intended for foraging can be used in such a manner. Most eclectus parrots respond very favourably to foraging being incorporated into their daily routine, managing the initial steep learning curve with ease and looking forward to searching every space, hole or gap in their toys to find that elusive pellet, seed, nut or piece of fruit (and of course destroying the toys as they search).
Immensely interested in the more complex of human behaviours, an eclectus will often watch a human conversation intently. It is therefore not surprising to hear that many eclectus parrots are drawn to toys that make noises when wobbled or a button is pushed. Children’s educational toys are often popular (and of comparable price to many of the plastic parrot toys!), however they need to be provided with careful thought; under supervision or carefully placed with limited access so that a parrot cannot break the casing and get inside to the batteries or other potentially toxic materials.
It’s pretty common among all parrots but still worth mentioning; twisting nuts & bolts, undoing knots, twirling small beads around in the beak with the tongue – basically anything that requires fiddly manipulation - will always be desired.
Location and Movement
In a reasonably static environment such as the cage, an eclectus is more likely to stay in the top third of the cage. Once in a while they may make a trip to the floor of it to retrieve a favoured foot toy, or hang from their perch and try to reach it that way, but they generally return to their perch quickly.
However, give them the space and the eclectus is likely to incorporate travel into its play. It will throw foot toys out of a bucket, climb or fly to the place they scattered to and investigate each foot toy a little more personally onsite. A well placed boing or similar will allow an eclectus to express its aboral traits in the process of exploring their world, hanging upside down, swinging from perch to perch and forever finding new and interesting ways to get from one place to another.
Destruction
With the occasional exception, the eclectus parrot is a gentle creature. Even during their crazy moments the destructomometer will only occasionally step up beyond mild. For the most part the eclectus destruction radar turns to the softer shredding materials such as palm leaf, paper and wicker.
When it comes to wood the eclectus parrot is likely to leave the harder woods such as maple, birch and eucalyptus alone and focus on the softer woods such as Pine and Balsa. As is the case with many parrot species – it just ain’t fun if it doesn’t break! A wood toy like the Brainiac Block or Seek a Treat will last up to two weeks during a voracious chewing period.
Stringing Material
Eclectus parrots are often more interested in the material the toy is hung from than the actual beads. If its cotton they’re likely to focus on preening and pulling tufts from it, if its leather or poly rope they will often work hard to undo all the knots.
Unfortunately severing toys from their stringing material is also common amongst eclectus (and most other larger parrots). A thicker, more sturdier cord can be used but it reduces the range of beads that can be used (unfortunately many of the most fascinating beads for parrots come with small holes!).
Figuring out which toy will get the scissor treatment and which one will draw the bird’s focus to the knots or beads instead is difficult, and takes practice, so the best thing is to always have spare stringing material handy. Another way to combat this irritating play behaviour is to purchase toys based on stainless steel wire or chain. Stainless steel chain is unfortunately very expensive (if you have some left over from another toy – keep it!), but whilst the wire is more cost effective you do lose many of the fun elements that come with a flexible stringing material. Poly rope, cotton or leather can still be incorporated into wire-based toys; it simply has to be more creatively approached.
Dislikes
One thing mentioned in several of our survey responses was an initial dislike to a new swing or similar wobbly perch. Our supposition is that this is down to two things. First up, no parrot is born with the skill to balance, dangle and swing from a perch; they have to learn to do it. It often takes a couple of years of practice before the confidence and ability is there. Add to the fact that eclectus parrots rarely throw themselves into something new without careful consideration first and the warm up period to a new swing may take a while. The eclectus parrots are quite good at learning from their mistakes too. If there was a mishap along the way then they are likely to be extra careful next time or even, potentially, display a fear response.
For birds new to swings and other wobbly perching situations they will have more fun and opportunity for success with something that has a smaller diameter for a secure grip. When they’re older, wiser and better at balancing the perch diameter becomes a non-issue and you will find them performing greater and greater feats of amazing balance. Such as playing with a toy in one foot, gripping a backup toy in the other and somehow by virtue of balancing on just their ankle (ie not even gripping the perch), staying stable on a 3” diameter swing blowing in the wind outside.
Dangers
Because an eclectus is a relatively gentle and contemplative parrot they usually approach their toys in a considered fashion, which reduces the occasions for unfortunate accidents. Saying that, one survey responder’s eclectus got its head stuck in the big hole of the Holey Kamoley (so if you have a holey kamoley – supervised play only, or threaded over a perch that so that it can’t be removed by your parrot). Of the other few reports we received about a play session gone wrong they all involved the head. It seems that an eclectus is particularly good at investigating holes and loops by sticking their head into it.
A huge range of the toys at My Parrot Shop are enjoyed by eclectus parrots but here is a sampling of 15 popular toys that covers the different materials favoured.
“Oliver goes ballistic over metal, he ‘attacks’ anything metal and he loves leather (and wood of course).”
“Fidel will often growl (like a dog) at his toys.”
“Bentley is obsessed with toys that are hard plastic as he is sure that there's something hidden in there.”
“Giles likes to get up close to the mouth to watch carefully as one speaks and then will try to say it himself (although it usually takes a few days before he masters it).”
“Carmen generally doesn't play with foot toys until after their 'noon-nap', seemingly happy to eat, drink, mumble, watch out the window, groom (and I suspect) plan her afternoon toy/play order (she always seems very 'driven' and 'ordered' when she does play... like she has planned it for hours)!”
“Basil is a 'tosser'. He will toss all his foot toys (from the bucket) to the floor as soon as he gets them. They stay there while he eats, grooms and hangs upside-down (trying to unlatch the door). Finally he gets down on the floor and checks out all the toys. He then climbs back to the perch, hangs upside-down (again), and reaches for the toy he has chosen to play with.”
“She likes to get in amongst the toys, so they hang on her, she sits and watches you, takes in her surroundings.”
“She shreds folded up cartons, chewing it and pulling it through the bars.”
“He also likes to hang upside down from one leg (and then the other) just for no particular reason (he is generally watching us when he does this!).”
“Huwie doesn't like it if the dog ignores him, the dog is extremely easy going and on the odd occasion when he is inside, the dog will only lie about and not bother anyone, Huwie doesn't like this and practically dances around him to get his attention.”
“Oliver likes to follow me around the house and he likes to play games like peekaboo! He didn’t like the turn ‘n learn logs for a few months until I moved them to his free standing T-Perch by the lounge room window.”
“She loves to go in the car and does not stop talking the whole time.”
“Bentley loves watching TV or having dinner with family. Some movies/shows seem to trigger a constant commentary and regular 'laughs' out of him.”
“She loves to chew leather especially after eating.”
“He will sit listening to music with his ear up to the toy for ages. He also loves throwing balls around the floor and chasing them, it keeps him occupied for ages throwing a ball and chasing it.”
“Any activity or toy that mimics every day human activities is a hit with him (fake stationary, his own fork/spoon, he loves "reading" magazines and checking email)!”
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