How do you play?

[Beth65]

I'm curious as to how everyone plays with their fids. This could be fun and helpful to find different ways to interact with our feather kids. What games do you play? What neat tricks have you taught them? I searched for a thread like this and didn't come up with anything.

[stepht25]

Great thread! I've thought of asking this before - and then just never did - so I'm glad you brought it up!

With Cosmo and Zoey - they climb all over me, I hold toys for them to chew on, they like to chew up magazines and books while I'm reading. Cosmo likes to play ball - I keep some of those small cat balls with the bell inside - I toss them and he runs after them and attacks them. Zoey likes to go after my fingers - kind of like wrestling with them. Zoey is also very persistant if I'm drinking something and she wants some. One night We sat for 15 minutes - with me keeping my arms outstretched and switching the glass to each hand - she ran back and forth, over and over again. LOL It was good exercise for her!

Kirby likes to hang out on me - I usually put a birdy necklace on and keep hand held toys for him. He likes to "help" me make toys. I sit plastic containers with parts in them on the table and he likes to go around and open them all up for me. Awhile back I started clicker training with him. It was a lot of fun and he caught on pretty quick. I taught him to wave, shake hands, turn around and put things into a shallow cup and we had a little basketball goal that he would put a wiffle ball into. (I accidently left it out once after we were done playing and he chewed it up! oops!) I quit doing the clicker training - and I keep saying I'm going to start it back up. I just need to set aside a specific time everyday and just do it! We really had a lot of fun with it.

Skittles is my 12 yr. old daughter's bird. They do homework together, Skittles lies on her back and lets my duaghter tickle her tummy and feet. They play with bird toys and most recently - they're working on Skittle's flight skills.

Sydney likes to ride around on the kids' remote control jeeps and on my son's battery operated train. It's so funny - she sits on them and just looks so pleased with herself! Peanut loves to be talked and whistled too. They both enjoy getting cuddles and scritches. Peanut also likes to "dance" and chirp to music. That always gets the kids laughing - which just seems to encourage him to do it more!

[jimpierce7]

lets start with Benji. I chase him. first all thru his cage so I can catch him to bring him out. Then I chase him away from Zoey so she won't bite him. Then I chase him away from Sophie so she won't try to mate him. Pretty much playing with Benji is a game of chase. He doesn't want to be held or pet at all. But he does like to be close time to time. He always wants to be watched.

Zoey is easy. Put her on my shoulder and away she goes. I am her favorite play gym. We play monkey bird on my fingers, she hangs up side down, tickle time, one I am about to give up on is trying to teach her to fly. She only uses her wings for brakes and panics.

Sophie pretty much plays by herself. She is infatuated with Benji and tries to woo him. Stomping across the tops of the cages is a favorite. She likes to perch on my finger and have me take her from toy to toy around the room and even in her cage. Lazy or spoiled? Sophie is the over all most playful but her independent nature pretty much means we get to watch her play with just about anything we give her.

[kathleen]

I taught Pumpkin to "give me five" and I say,"Who's pretty raise your hand!" Pumpkin will raise his foot. Ok, they are both the same movement but it really impresses non-bird people. I say,"Give me snuggles." and Pumpkin wil rub his head on my cheek.

We like to play hide-and-seek with a piece of tissue or paper towel. I hold it in front of Pumpkin and say,"Where's Pumpkin? Where did he go?" He pops his little head up to say,"Here I am."

We also have a little ball with a bell in it and sometimes I stick it on my finger while he bites it or I will will hide it out of sight and he looks around because he can still hear the bell.

[gbird]

Pita and I finger wrestle, play with a ball, but mostly he entertains himself. We also play hide & seek under the blanket on the couch...he goes under, and runs around then sticks his head out, runs out, turns and runs back under, and we do it all again.

He also likes to stand on my head and pull my hair...you know, normal bird stuff...lol

[raddaughter]

Harley and I play together in many ways. Sometimes, we play the 'mimic' game. I will say or do something, and Harley will mimic it. For instance, our latest phrase is 'rock rock rock'. I will say 'rock rock rock' and right on cue, Harley will say 'ROCK'. Even though the words aren't the most interesting, she is saying them, so I am proud of my baby!
She second game is more of rough play. We will get down on the floor, she will roll over and I will pet her chest and beak. Or, I we play hide and seek. I hide behind a couch or somewhere close and make a fiunny sound. Harley follows and finds me- she loves this!
Our other favorite game is 'swing'. Harley hangs on my hand and goes upside down, swings, and then las on her back like a baby in my arms. Over all, we have a lot of fun!

[buddyboy]

Buddy loves to play with the ball with the bell inside, he picks it up and throws it, most of the time on the floor so I have to pick it up. He also like scratches on the head and he makes this cute little noise and if I stop, he usually nibbles me on the finger. Or he sits on my shoulder and pulls my hair or bites me on the ear. I've taught him kisses, but sometimes he gets a bit too excited and will bite my lip. And if I ever have food while he's on me, he runs around trying to get it. It's so cute.