The Best Bird Toys for 2025: A Detailed Review

Ever noticed your feathered friend getting cranky or restless? Birds, just like humans, need entertainment, stimulation, and fun. That’s where bird toys swoop in—keeping them happy, healthy, and out of trouble. And let’s be real, 2025 has some of the most innovative and exciting bird toys we’ve seen yet. Whether you’ve got a chirpy budgie or a majestic macaw, the right toy can totally transform your bird's day.

What Is the Best Material for Bird Toys?

Selecting the right materials for bird toys is crucial for ensuring your bird's safety and enjoyment. The best materials are non-toxic, durable, and appropriate for your bird's beak strength. Here are some top choices:

Natural Wood:
- Types: Softwoods like pine, balsa, and fir are great for smaller birds like parakeets and cockatiels. Hardwoods like maple, beech, and oak are suitable for larger birds like macaws and cockatoos.
- Benefits: Provides a natural chewing surface, promotes beak health, and is biodegradable.
- Safety: Ensure the wood is untreated and free from chemicals, paints, or preservatives.
Paper and Cardboard:
- Types: Plain paper, cardboard boxes, paper towel rolls, and newspaper.
- Benefits: Safe for shredding and tearing, provides mental stimulation, and is inexpensive.
- Safety: Avoid glossy or heavily printed paper, as the ink may be toxic.
Natural Fibers:
- Types: Sisal rope, cotton rope, hemp rope, and coconut fibers.
- Benefits: Great for preening and chewing, provides tactile stimulation, and is relatively durable.
- Safety: Ensure the fibers are natural and free from synthetic dyes or treatments.
Acrylic and Plastic:
- Types: Non-toxic acrylic and hard plastic.
- Benefits: Durable, easy to clean, and can be used for interactive toys.
- Safety: Choose high-quality, bird-safe plastic and avoid brittle or easily breakable materials.
Stainless Steel:
- Types: Stainless steel bells, chains, and hardware.
- Benefits: Durable, non-toxic, and easy to clean.
- Safety: Ensure the stainless steel is bird-safe and free from lead or other harmful metals.
Leather:
- Types: Vegetable-tanned leather.
- Benefits: Provides a good chewing texture and is relatively durable.
- Safety: Ensure the leather is vegetable-tanned and free from harmful chemicals or dyes.

Materials to avoid include:

Lead: Toxic to birds.
Zinc: Can cause zinc toxicity.
Teflon: Releases toxic fumes when heated.
Soft Plastics: Can be ingested and cause blockages.
Small Metal Parts: Can be swallowed and cause choking or toxicity.

By selecting safe and appropriate materials, you can create a stimulating and healthy environment for your feathered friend.

What Is the Best Bird to Play With?

The "best" bird to play with depends on your lifestyle, experience, and preferences. However, some bird species are known for their playful and interactive nature:

Cockatiels:
- Personality: Affectionate, social, and relatively easy to train.
- Play Style: Enjoy whistling, mimicking sounds, and playing with toys like bells and ladders.
Parakeets (Budgies):
- Personality: Curious, active, and can be trained to do simple tricks.
- Play Style: Enjoy chewing on toys, swinging, and interacting with their owners.
Cockatoos:
- Personality: Highly intelligent, affectionate, and require a lot of attention.
- Play Style: Enjoy cuddling, dancing, and solving puzzles.
Macaws:
- Personality: Intelligent, social, and can be very playful.
- Play Style: Enjoy chewing on tough toys, solving puzzles, and interacting with their owners.
Conures:
- Personality: Energetic, social, and love to play.
- Play Style: Enjoy acrobatics, chewing on toys, and interacting with their owners.
African Greys:
- Personality: Highly intelligent, sensitive, and can be very talkative.
- Play Style: Enjoy learning new words, solving puzzles, and interacting with their owners.

When choosing a bird, consider factors such as:

Time Commitment: Some birds require more attention and interaction than others.
Noise Level: Some birds are louder than others.
Lifespan: Birds can live for many years, so be prepared for a long-term commitment.
Experience Level: Some birds are better suited for experienced bird owners.

By considering these factors, you can choose a bird that matches your lifestyle and provides years of companionship and fun.

What Do Parakeets Like to Chew On?

Parakeets (also known as Budgies) have a natural instinct to chew, which helps keep their beaks healthy and provides mental stimulation. Here are some items parakeets enjoy chewing on:

Wood Toys:
- Types: Softwood toys made from balsa, pine, or fir are ideal.
- Benefits: Provides a natural chewing surface and helps keep their beaks trimmed.
Paper and Cardboard:
- Types: Plain paper, cardboard boxes, paper towel rolls, and newspaper.
- Benefits: Safe for shredding and tearing, provides mental stimulation, and is inexpensive.
Natural Fiber Ropes:
- Types: Sisal rope, cotton rope, and hemp rope.
- Benefits: Great for preening and chewing.
Cuttlebones:
- Benefits: Provides calcium and minerals, and helps keep their beaks trimmed.
Mineral Blocks:
- Benefits: Provides essential minerals and helps keep their beaks trimmed.
Acrylic and Plastic Toys:
- Types: Bird-safe acrylic and hard plastic toys.
- Benefits: Durable and can provide a variety of textures and shapes for chewing.
Fresh Branches:
- Types: Safe branches from trees like apple, willow, or birch.
- Benefits: Provides a natural chewing surface and mental stimulation.

Providing a variety of chewing options is essential for keeping your parakeet happy and healthy.

How to Make Cheap Bird Toys?

Creating cheap bird toys is a fun and cost-effective way to keep your feathered friend entertained. Here are some DIY ideas:

Paper Towel Rolls:
- Instructions: Cut paper towel rolls into different lengths and stuff them with shredded paper, treats, or small toys.
- Benefits: Provides a fun shredding activity.
Cardboard Boxes:
- Instructions: Cut holes in a small cardboard box and hide treats or toys inside.
- Benefits: Encourages foraging behavior.
Paper Chains:
- Instructions: Cut strips of paper and link them together to create a colorful chain.
- Benefits: Provides a visually stimulating toy that is safe to chew.
Sock Toys:
- Instructions: Fill a clean sock with shredded paper, small toys, or treats, and tie it off at the end.
- Benefits: Provides a soft and chewable toy.
Pine Cone Toys:
- Instructions: Bake pine cones at a low temperature to sterilize them, then stuff them with peanut butter and birdseed.
- Benefits: Provides a natural chewing surface and a tasty treat.
Hanging Veggie Skewers:
- Instructions: Use a stainless steel skewer to hang pieces of fresh fruits and vegetables in the cage.
- Benefits: Provides a healthy and engaging foraging activity.
DIY Foraging Wheel:
- Instructions: Use a plastic lid and attach small cups or containers to it. Fill the cups with treats or toys and let your bird spin the wheel to access them.
- Benefits: Encourages problem-solving and foraging behavior.

When making DIY bird toys, always use safe, non-toxic materials and supervise your bird during playtime to ensure they don't ingest anything harmful. Regular rotation of toys will keep your bird engaged and prevent boredom.

The Best Bird Toys for 2025: A Detailed Review

Understanding Your Bird's Needs

Different Bird Species, Different Play Styles

Not all birds play the same way. A budgie might love a jingly bell, while an African Grey may prefer solving puzzles. Knowing your bird’s personality and natural behaviors is the key to picking the right toy.

The Role of Mental Stimulation

Birds are smart—some are basically toddlers with wings. They need mental challenges to stay sharp and avoid destructive behaviors like plucking or screaming.

The Impact of Boredom on Bird Behavior

Ever seen a bored bird? It’s not pretty. Chewed feathers, loud squawking, and aggression can all stem from one thing—boredom. Toys are their version of TV, video games, and crossword puzzles all in one.

Key Features to Look for in Bird Toys

Safety First – Non-Toxic Materials

Your bird’s beak is like their hand. They bite, chew, and nibble constantly. Always choose toys made with bird-safe, non-toxic materials. If you wouldn’t give it to a baby, don’t give it to your bird.

Durability – Built to Last

Let’s face it—birds can be tiny demolition experts. Look for toys that can withstand pecking, pulling, and general abuse without falling apart on day one.

Engagement – Does It Keep Their Attention?

The best toys keep birds coming back. Look for features like colors, movement, sound, or food rewards to hold their focus.

Size Matters – Matching the Toy to Your Bird

Too big and it’s intimidating. Too small and it’s dangerous. Pick a toy that suits your bird’s size and strength.

Top Categories of Bird Toys in 2025

Foraging Toys

These are the brain-teasers of the bird world. Hide treats inside and let your bird figure out how to get them—great for building problem-solving skills.

Chewing and Shredding Toys

Perfect for beak health and satisfying that natural urge to destroy. Look for toys made of paper, wood, or coconut shell.

Climbing and Swinging Toys

Think ropes, ladders, and swings. These keep your bird moving and mimic the activity they’d get in the wild.

Puzzle and Interactive Toys

2025 is the year of smart bird fun—think push buttons, rotating compartments, and even toys that respond with sound.

The Best Bird Toys of 2025 – Our Top Picks

#1 – Planet Pleasures Pineapple Foraging Toy

A colorful chewable tower made of palm leaves. Hides treats inside, so it’s both fun and functional. Great for medium to large parrots.

#2 – Super Bird Creations Flying Trapeze

A bouncy swing your bird can hop on and climb around. Loved by cockatiels and conures for its play gym-like experience.

#3 – Bonka Bird Toys Coconut Climber

Made from real coconut shells, this toy is a hit for climbing and chewing. A tropical touch with lots of texture.

#4 – Caitec Creative Foraging Systems Wheel

This interactive spinner dispenses treats when birds turn it just right. Smart birds like African Greys can’t get enough.

#5 – JW Pet Insight Birdie Basketball

Yes, your bird can play hoops! This toy teaches them to dunk a ball—fun, funny, and surprisingly enriching.

Reviews and Buyer Feedback

What Bird Owners Are Saying

Most users report their birds showing visible excitement with these toys—especially the foraging wheel and basketball set. Many note improved behavior and longer periods of engagement.

Pros and Cons Summary

Pros:

Durable and safe
Keeps birds busy
Variety of options by size and species

Cons:

Some smart toys can be pricey
Needs supervision in the beginning for safety

DIY Bird Toy Ideas in 2025

Safe Materials from Home

Try using cardboard tubes, untreated wood blocks, paper straws, or coffee filters. Always avoid glue, sharp edges, or dyed paper.

Step-by-Step: Create a Simple Shreddable Toy

Take a paper towel roll.
Stuff it with crinkle paper.
Add a couple of seeds or treats.
Close both ends with untreated paper.

Voila! Instant foraging fun.

Budget-Friendly Enrichment

DIY toys don’t have to be fancy to be fun. Your bird will appreciate the change and challenge.

Maintenance and Cleaning Tips

How Often Should You Clean Bird Toys?

Ideally, once a week. More often if it’s a foraging toy with food involved.

Sanitizing vs. Simple Washing

Use bird-safe disinfectants or hot water and vinegar. Avoid harsh chemicals.

When to Throw Old Toys Out

Frayed ropes, broken parts, or soiled materials? Time to toss and replace.

Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Bird Toys

Why Go Green?

Your bird lives in nature—why not help protect it? Eco-friendly toys are better for the planet and often safer too.

Best Eco-Friendly Brands in 2025

Brands like Planet Pleasures and Ware of the Dog offer biodegradable or recycled materials.

Biodegradable Materials to Watch For

Palm leaves, coconut shells, hemp rope, and untreated wood are your best bets.

Best Bird Toys by Species

Toys for Parakeets and Budgies

Small bells, mini ladders, and mirrors are favorites. Keep it lightweight and colorful.

Toys for Cockatiels

They love swings, shredding toys, and anything with a bell.

Toys for African Greys and Amazons

Interactive puzzles and foraging toys work wonders here.

Toys for Macaws and Large Parrots

Go big and tough—think thick wood blocks, large ropes, and durable puzzles.

Smart Bird Toys – The Rise of Tech

What Are Smart Bird Toys?

These toys include sensors, lights, or apps to interact with your bird. Think of it as a birdy brain trainer.

Are Birds Actually Using Them?

Surprisingly, yes—especially parrots. They learn fast and enjoy the feedback from these techy toys.

Pros and Cons of High-Tech Enrichment

Pros:

Super engaging
Encourages problem-solving
Great for solo play

Cons:

Expensive
May require setup or app control

Where to Buy the Best Bird Toys in 2025

Best Online Retailers

Chewy
Amazon
BirdTricks Store
MyBirdStore

Local Pet Store Advantages

You can see the toy’s size and build quality in person and get tailored advice.

Subscription Toy Boxes

Monthly boxes like Squawk Box deliver themed bird toys, treats, and surprises—perfect if you’re busy or just love surprises.

Tips to Keep Your Bird Interested

Rotating Toys for Novelty

Swap out toys every week or two. Keeps things fresh and exciting.

Mixing Textures and Sounds

A little variety goes a long way. Combine wood, rope, bells, and paper for a sensory playground.

Observing Your Bird's Reactions

If they ignore a toy, don’t force it. Find out what they gravitate to and work with that.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overcrowding the Cage

Too many toys can clutter the space and stress your bird out. Keep it cozy, not chaotic.

Buying Too Big/Small

Always check size guidelines for species. A macaw toy in a budgie cage is a no-go.

Ignoring Your Bird's Preferences

If your bird loves shredding, don’t keep handing it mirrors. Tune in to what sparks joy for them.

Conclusion

Bird toys aren’t just playthings—they’re lifelines to a better, happier, more fulfilling bird life. With the innovation we’re seeing in 2025, there’s truly something for every bird. From puzzles to perch swings, foraging wheels to DIY delights, your feathered friend deserves a toy box as exciting as they are. So go ahead—spoil your bird and watch them soar with joy!

FAQs

1. What type of toy is best for a parakeet?

Lightweight, colorful toys like bells, ladders, and paper shredders work great for parakeets.

2. How many toys should I keep in my bird’s cage?

Generally, 3 to 5 toys at a time. Rotate them weekly for variety.

3. Are DIY bird toys safe?

Yes, as long as you use non-toxic, untreated, and bird-safe materials. Avoid glue and sharp objects.

4. How can I tell if my bird is bored?

Look for signs like feather plucking, excessive noise, or aggression. Toys can help break the monotony.

5. Are smart toys really worth the investment?

For intelligent birds like African Greys or Macaws, absolutely. They stimulate and entertain on a whole new level.