Do It Yourself: Foraging Wreath
By Nick R & Trish Koontz
Introduction: Many parrot behavior problems stem from boredom in the cage. Why do they become so bored? Because they are unable to perform their instinctive behavior: foraging. Foraging is the search and hunt for food by flying, exploring, digging and chewing. Since we provide our birds’ food for them in a bowl, they don’t have to go looking for it.
It is vital to parrots’ psychological well-being that they are given the opportunity to forage and find food. Trish from the forum has come up with a very inexpensive and creative way to provide this: the Foraging Wreath.
Begin by purhasing a natural grapevine wreath from your local crafts store; ensure that it is not coated with varnish or paint.
Clean the wreath by scrubbing it with warm water and bird-safe soap or GSE. Then let it air-dry (naturally).
Once the wreath is dry you can attach plastic bird-safe chain with cable-zip ties (do not use twisty-ties as they usually contain metal that is not safe for birds). Attach three pieces of chain around the wreath and fasten them together at the top (see the image below).
Now it’s time for the fun part: adding the foraging items!!! You can shove all sorts of foraging treats into the nooks and crannies of the wreath. Here are some to name a few:
- Diced carrots
- Apple slices
- small brown bags with nuts inside
- non-food items such as toy parts, leather pieces, rocks (large enough to be unable to swallowed)
The goal is to make it challenging (but still possible!) for the bird(s) to locate and extract the food. It’s what they live to do (yes, live 
)!
Here is an image of the finished product:
The completed Foraging Wreath by Trish (click to view full-size)
See the thread on the forum.
Article by Nick; Wreath concept and instructions by Tricia.If you make one, be sure to share your story in the Comments section below!
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