Bird toy buying guide

Even domesticated birds retain some of their natural instincts from the time they roamed wild. It's therefore important to provide them with toys that respond to these needs in order to simulate all their senses and help them thrive. Of course your bird will have fun playing with their toys but they should also provide physical activity, mental stimulation and recreate natural processes like foraging for food.

Ideally, you should get a toy that responds to each of these needs but be careful not to overload the cage. Depending on the size of the cage, three or four toys should be enough. The most important thing is to swap them out on a regular basis to ensure they don't get worn or that your birds don't get tired of them.

Be sure to pick sturdy toys that can stand up to claws and beaks which will naturally work to break them down over time.

Go for materials like wood (a favourite among birds!), wicker or leather. Just make sure the materials are strong enough so they won't wear down too quickly.

The design, shape and weight of the toys must be suitable for the type of bird that will be using them. You'll also have to think about the age of your birds and their level of intelligence.

There is a wide variety of toys designed to stimulate your birds. These toys give your birds the opportunity to climb, hang, carry objects about the cage or fly from one item to another.

Ropes, swings and ladders are all great hanging toys that encourage exercise while improving agility, balance and dexterity.

Non-hanging toys, designed to be handled by feet and beaks, help to develop dexterity and strength. While these toys go down well with birds, bear in mind that anything that is placed at the bottom of the cage will quickly be soiled by food and droppings so you'll need to clean or replace them on a regular basis.

Other bird toys include bird play stands or gyms which offer a number of activities in one.

No matter which toys you choose, the most important thing is to pick a variety of shapes, textures and colours.

Developing your birds' skills will only improve your interactions with them. The following accessories are great for this:

• mirrors;

• mazes;

• puzzles;

• observation and deduction games, and so on.

From the easiest to the most complex puzzles, your toys should match the type of birds you have as well as their individual potential. The idea is to stimulate your birds as much as possible. It can also be a great idea to make your own toys; for example, you can craft your own wooden puzzles or tie ropes to unravel.

In the wild, foraging for food can take up hours of a bird's time. With this in mind, you can choose from a number of different interactive treat toys to give your bird back the pleasure of foraging their own food. This is also a great way to let them discover new tastes and mix up their menu.

Once again, you can combine your shop-bought toys with some home-made enrichment toys. For example, pine cones can be filled with seeds and boxes can be shredded apart in search of treats (as long as they don't contain any glue or staples). In short, there's no end of possibilities when it comes to DIY bird toys!

It's also possible to turn old children's toys or other day-to-day objects into fun bird toys. It goes without saying that you will have to be sure to check that they do not contain anything that could pose a danger to your birds. Remember: even objects that couldn't harm an adult or a child could well be dangerous for a bird.

If using any musical toys or soft toys, check that they are sturdy enough to stand up to bird beaks. Otherwise, from doll houses to a basic wooden spoon there are plenty of ways to keep your bird stimulated and entertained!