12 DIY Bird Toys to Entertain Your Parrot This Christmas 🎄

🎁 Day 1: Treat-Filled Paper Roll

Items Needed:

- Paper towel or toilet paper roll (ensure it's free of glue residue)

- Bird-safe crinkle paper

- Treats (seeds, dried fruit, or pellets)

Best For:

Small to medium birds (e.g., conures, cockatiels, quakers).

Assembly Steps:

1. Remove any leftover glue or paper from the cardboard roll.

2. Stuff the roll with crinkle paper and treats.

3. Fold or pinch the ends closed to secure the contents inside.

4. Place it in the cage or hang it with bird-safe string for added fun!

❄️ Day 2: Shreddable Snowflake

Items Needed:

- Cereal box or lightweight cardboard

- Bird-safe rope or sisal string

Best For:

Small to medium birds who love shredding (e.g., parakeets, caiques).

Assembly Steps:

1. Cut cardboard into snowflake shapes.

2. Punch a hole in the center of each snowflake.

3. Stack the snowflakes and thread them onto the rope or string.

4. Knot the ends to secure and hang in the cage.

🧁 Day 3: Foraging Cupcake Liners

Items Needed:

- Plain, uncoated cupcake liners (avoid waxed ones)

- Seeds, dried chop, or small treats

Best For:

Small to medium birds (e.g., budgies, cockatiels, green cheek conures).

Assembly Steps:

1. Layer the cupcake liners with treats in between.

2. Scrunch the liners together into a ball shape.

3. Place the scrunched liner in your bird’s foraging area or bowl.

🌲 Day 4: Pinecone Treat Dispenser

Items Needed:

- Clean, pesticide-free pinecone

- Almond butter or coconut oil

- Seeds or dried fruits

Best For:

Medium to large birds (e.g., African greys, amazons, macaws).

Assembly Steps:

1. Wash and bake the pinecone at 250°F (121°C) for 30 minutes to sanitize.

2. Lightly coat the pinecone with almond butter or coconut oil.

3. Roll the sticky pinecone in seeds and dried fruits.

4. Hang it in the cage with bird-safe string or place it on a flat surface.

🎄 Day 5: Festive Foraging Garland

Items Needed:

- Paper straws
- Crinkle paper or shredded paper
- Untreated wooden beads
- Bird-safe string

Best For:

Small to large birds (cockatiels to macaws).

3-5 Step Assembly:

1. Cut paper straws into small sections.
2. Thread the straws, beads, and crinkle paper onto the string.
3. Add treats between sections if desired.
4. Drape the garland across the cage or hang from a perch.

☕ Day 6: Stuffed Coffee Filters

Items Needed:

- Plain coffee filters (no coatings)
- Small pieces of dried fruit or seeds

Best For:

Small birds (parakeets, lovebirds).

3-5 Step Assembly:

1. Place treats in the center of a coffee filter.
2. Gather the edges and twist into a “candy” shape.
3. Secure with a knot of natural twine or just twist tightly.
4. Toss into the cage or hide in a foraging bowl.

🌟 Day 7: Cardboard Tube Christmas Tree

Items Needed:

- Cardboard from paper rolls or boxes
- Bird-safe skewer
- Treats

Best For:

Medium to large birds (eclectus, cockatoos).

3-5 Step Assembly:

1. Cut the cardboard into decreasing circle sizes (tree layers).
2. Punch a hole in the center of each piece.
3. Thread them onto a skewer, adding treats between layers.
4. Secure the skewer ends and place it in the cage.

🔔 Day 8: Jingle Bell Puzzle

Items Needed:

- Bird-safe bells (no loose parts)
- Small cardboard box
- Treats

Best For:

Medium birds (caiques, senegals).

3-5 Step Assembly:

1. Place treats inside the box.
2. Punch a hole and attach a bell to the outside using natural string.
3. Seal the box lightly so your bird can tear into it.

🕵️‍♀️ Day 9: Muffin Tin Treasure Hunt

Items Needed:

- Muffin tin
- Paper or small toys
- Bird-safe treats

Best For:

Small to large birds (budgies to cockatoos).

3-5 Step Assembly:

1. Place treats in the muffin tin cups.
2. Cover the cups with paper, toys, or lightweight materials.
3. Set the tin in the cage or play area for your bird to explore.

🪵 Day 10: Loofah Logs

Items Needed:

- Bird-safe dried loofah
- Millet or dried veggies
- Sisal rope

Best For:

Medium to large birds (pionus, amazons).

3-5 Step Assembly:

1. Cut the loofah into small sections.
2. Stuff each section with millet or dried veggies.
3. Thread them onto a sisal rope or offer loose in the cage.

🍿 Day 11: Popcorn Garland

Items Needed:

- Plain, air-popped popcorn
- Cranberries
- Bird-safe string

Best For:

Medium to large birds (parrots, macaws).

3-5 Step Assembly:

1. Thread popcorn and cranberries alternately onto the string.
2. Tie the ends securely.
3. Hang it in the cage or aviary as a holiday treat!

🎁 Day 12: Cardboard Present Boxes

Items Needed:

- Plain cardboard
- Paper (unprinted)
- Bird-safe sisal or raffia

Best For:

All bird sizes.

3-5 Step Assembly:

1. Cut cardboard into small box shapes.
2. Place treats inside and wrap the boxes with paper.
3. Tie with raffia or sisal and offer them as unwrapping fun!

Safety Reminder:

For more bird-safe materials, visit CaringForFeathers.com and ensure all items are non-toxic, untreated, and safe for your bird’s beak.

Diane Burroughs, LCSW, is a licensed psychotherapist specializing in avian anxiety disorders, nervous bird behaviors, and overall bird care. With training in ABA therapy and certification in Nutrition For Mental Health, Diane has authored several books on bird behavior and offers expert consultations for resolving issues like feather plucking and bird anxiety.

Her work has been featured in the Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery and presented at Exoticscon. Diane also mediates the Feather Plucking Help group on Facebook, offering support to parrot owners. With over 30 years of experience, Diane has developed thousands of successful individualized behavior plans, promoting parrot wellness and excellent bird care.

TAGS: #DIYBirdToys #DIYParrotToys #DIYBirdForagingToys