Bird not playful

[adamsfamily531]

Hey everyone!
We just got our sweet girl on Christmas-- she is the sweetest bird I've ever seen! She comes right to us, cuddles up and coos, lets us pet her and scratch her neck, and tries to preen us all the time. She is not very loud, and just has a very sweet and mild personality. The only thing that concerns me a little bit is that she is not very playful. She just kind of sits there. She doesn't seem to be unhappy... just very content to sit there and do nothing. I would assume this is not normal for IRN's... everyone else's seems to be at least interacting with their toys-- I have a few in her cage for her, but she just seems to have no interest in them. She has some wooden ones that are meant to be destroyed, and she just sits on them occasionally and watches us or sleeps. She has a few of the whiffle balls filled with fun stuff for her to find, and I've tried to get her to pull the stuff out by showing her what to do with it, but she will go over to it and pick at it for a minute and then ignore it. I've given her popsicle sticks ... and she will play with them for a moment and then drop them and forget about them. She just seems to be more happy to play with us, and cuddle. The only other thing is-- I don't have a ton of money to buy a bunch of toys that she won't play with anyway... so I'm not really complaining... I just want to keep her stimulated and entertained. Sigh. Maybe I shouldn't worry about it so much-- I just want to make sure I'm doing what I can to make sure she's a happy and healthy (even mentally healthy) bird. Thanks everyone for your anticipated input!

[adamsfamily531]

OH! I forgot to say this: we did get her a fruit ninja toy that she plays with sometimes outside of her cage-- she does enjoy that on occasion.

[MissK]

best wishes
-MissK

[sippy11]

Wow missk that is all amazing ideas thanks for sharing. I have lots of ideas now and Rachael good luck with the birdy

[ellieelectrons]

MissK has given you some very good advice there.

I'd just like to add that if your bird is a cuddler, she might appreciate some soft, cuddly or preenable toys like
http://www.myparrotshop.com/hanging-toy ... _1077.html
or
http://www.myparrotshop.com/hanging-toy ... d_354.html
or a hut
http://www.graysonline.com/retail/vp-33 ... pgod4FIAqg

Toys are very individual and different birds like different toys. A book that I have, "Parrot-toys & Play Areas" by D'Arezzo & Shannon-Nunn lists 11 different parrot-toy categories for you to try with your bird. They suggest that at any one time your bird should have toys from at least 4 categories. Someone else has written the 11 different parrot-toy categories here:
http://lafebercares.com/what-to-chew-today/

I'm also a big believer in foraging. My birds do some degree of foraging for all of their food, except the food I offer as rewards. Here are some links on that:
http://www.indianringneck.com/forum/vie ... 01&p=69400
http://www.indianringneck.com/forum/vie ... =4&t=13466
http://www.parrotenrichment.com/ - this site has some free ebooks to download

Best wishes.

Ellie.

[MissK]

Hi Ellie-

I'm glad you posted about preening toys. I
-MissK

[ellieelectrons]

I've often wondered about making a preening toy from their own moulted feathers as when they fall out they love chewing them for a bit before discarding them. However, I'm worried that this might turn them into a plucker. What do you think?

Ellie.

[MissK]

See, Ellie, I have two thoughts on that, and I think I choose to err on the side of caution.

[Amandastander]

Hi. I made Buster and Piper a toy resembling a basketball hoop from a small hard plastic ring, a piece of wood, and some fake leather. I then strung it with seashells and plastic bottle caps. They absolutely loved the texture of the caps, shells and leather. And loved perching on top of the ring! They also love smartieboxes and any small empty box they can demolish! And loves throwing the remnants at me. Just use what you have around the house. She will find something she likes!