Whats wrong?

[FF218]

Hey,
Well first of all, I have a single cockatiel and his name is Elvis.
I feel like Elvis has no fun in his life. His life consists of sitting in a cage on a perch most of the day and then even when I do take him out he just sits with me. Is this his idea of fun? He hardly plays with any of his toys except for the occasional peck and maybe grab it with his foot.
I feel like I'm not providing enough entertainment for him but I don't know what to do. Opinions? I want the best for my feather'd friend but don't really know what to do. thanks for your help!
-Josh

[jenseits]

I'm assuming of course, that you've got plenty of size-appropriate toys in a decent-sized cage?

In any case, I highly recommend clicker training. Here is my very first post about clicker training with Stewie: Fast Progress with Clicker Training « Best in Flock - Blog About My Conure Parrot. Since then, we've made so much more progress - both in terms of his ability to figure out what I want (i.e., do tricks) and in terms of how he interacts with me.

Training is really fun, and clicker training will probably encourage Elvis to play with toys on his own too.

The best resource on the Web, IMO, for clicker training birds is Melinda Johnson's Bird Click group on Yahoo: Bird-Click : Bird-Click . You need to apply, but everything is free and completely invaluable.

[FF218]

Ya, all of his toys are for smaller size parrots and cockatiels... not a lot of chewing toys.
They are all mostly plastic dangling toys...some with bells... some with mirrors.
A swing, and many diff sized perches. His cage measures 32x21x36" (LxWxH)
thank you for your input on clicker training! I have heard many good things about it.

[christie99]

Get him some shredding and chewing toys. The plastic ones never get use here. Wood, shredders, safe rope toys, and leather. You will also need to show him how to play.

[catschair]

And some tiels are just more laid back than others. I have seven and they range from being into everything all the time to playing now and again, but usually just watching the other fools in the flight (and yes, they have a window to my house, so they can watch the cats and I, which is even more amusing). If Elvis is healthy and calm, he may just be a happy homebody. You may be able to get him involved in some new activities, but don't stress too much about it.

[KDK241]

I agree, shredder toys. Paper is a huge hit at my house! And cardboard boxes..and anything else that is destructable.

[jenseits]

Oh yes, forgot to mention that part. Stewie doesn't care much for plastic toys (unless they have treats inside). When he plays with toys it's all about foraging, shredding and destroying.

[FF218]

when i said plastic toys i meant leather with small plastic beads on it and plastic rings and bells etc.
I will go ahead and try the paper products to destroy!! thanks guys!

[mjpeter]

Charlie's favorite toys are some I found at a local pet store that are a mixture of wood, paper and rope (almost like shoelaces). We also got some that are foot toys that he loves....pieces of wood with paper over the top that look like hard candies an lollipops. Too cute.

[marriedchick26]

How about a birdie pinata or some sort of foraging hut that you can stuff with nuts and treats?
Christie99 Can you please give us some suggestions on teaching a bird to play. I bat toys around for my tiel, maybe I am not doing enough.