What do cockatoos like to play with

After you have practiced perching with the sticks for a few weeks, try offering the cockatoo your pointer finger to perch on.

By then, you should have built up enough trust so that the bird is willing to step onto your finger. Do this once a day so the cockatoo bonds with you. Method 3. Play chase with the cockatoo. Cockatoos are very high energy and love chasing around their owner. You can play chase by taking the cockatoo out of its cage and placing it on the ground in an open area.

Then, start running slowly around the room. The cockatoo should follow you and try to catch you. You can also run after the cockatoo and try to catch it.

Once you have tired of playing chase, you can get the cockatoo to calm down by placing it back in its cage with a treat or by having it do a trick, like "shake" or "roll the ball. Get the cockatoo to roll a ball. Use a wiffle ball or a small ball made for birds. Show the cockatoo the ball when it is in its cage.

Then, roll it towards the cockatoo. Do this on a flat surface. Roll the ball back and forth with the cockatoo to bond with it. Teach the cockatoo how to catch. Once the cockatoo is comfortable rolling the ball back and forth with you, get it to catch the ball and give it back to you. The cockatoo should then catch the ball and roll it back to you or try to throw it back. Throw the ball a few inches from the cockatoo and stand close to the cockatoo so it is easy for it to throw it back.

Teach the cockatoo to shake. Make sure your cockatoo is comfortable perching on your hand before you try to teach it this trick. Present your hand to the cockatoo until it lifts its foot to step on it. Then, present the cockatoo with a treat and take your hand away.

Reward the cockatoo with a treat after every trick. Make sure you reinforce each trick by giving the cockatoo a treat. Use bird treats or a piece of fresh fruit. Give the cockatoo 1 treat per trick. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Read Next How to. How to. More References 7. About This Article. Co-authored by:. Co-authors: 8. Updated: June 14, Categories: Cockatoos.

Article Summary X To bond with your Cockatoo, first let it hop around its new home as you supervise so it can relax and get used to its surroundings. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 18, times. Did this article help you? The first cockatoo toy we want to talk about today is the Clacker. This is an incredibly fun noise-making toy that consists of four 4 stainless steel cups that are held together with a link chain. The cups will bang and clash for some exciting ringing sounds that are sure to please your bird.

The toy also features colorful acrylic pacifiers that your cockatoo will love to chew upon. The Clacker measures about 14 inches long and 6 inches wide. A quick link attachment allows for easy cage placement. Another excellent cockatoo toy is the Spoon Delight. This toy features stainless steel spoons that are all attached to a link chain. The highly intelligent cockatoo needs mental stimulation and attention from her owner.

A bored bird will screech constantly, become depressed and pluck her feathers out. Prevent such behavior simply by playing with your cockatoo on a regular basis and teaching her tricks that she will be eager to perform. For starters, let your cockatoo know she is part of the family by placing her cage, or even a perch area, in a moderately active area of the home. She will enjoy seeing people come and go, and will come to enjoy the television or radio.

Shutting her up in a quiet room should only be done at night, when it is time to go to sleep. Keeping her close by during the day, or when you are at home, will encourage you to interact with her.

Show your cockatoo how to play with toys so she can entertain herself when you are not around. Ring a bell or jingle-ball toy to show her how she can make the sound. Scratch at a wood block or gently push her back and forth on a swing. Teach her to climb a ladder or rope with treats along the way, like nuts or fruits.

Vary the type of toys and where you put them. Combine this training with trick training.