Can Amazon Parrots eat wood?

Question

Is it OK for Parrots to eat the wood hat is hanging on their toys ? Is their a better type of toy to buy. SHe is new to me I bought her a hanging teaser toy and she only chewed off the one wood block other wise she doesn' touch it. What would be good to keep her entertained? Im still a little scared of her so I aavent tryed to pet her yet. I have only had her for a week. Thanks Michelle

Answer 1

Hi there!

That's WHY we buy those toys. So that they can chew the wood instead of say...oh...the crown molding at the top of the wall, or your couch, or whatever else they can get their little beaks into. Rio, our Macaw goes through about 150 bucks worth of toys a month.

It's actually very healthy for your amazon to chew wood. I also give Rio and Katie (Rio's a Military Macaw and Katie's a Greenwing Macaw) balsa wood to chew on, popsickle sticks, um...gosh...anything that keeps them entertained.

Another good type of toy is the puzzle toys. Those, you typically put a treat into and then let them figure out how to get the treat out.

I want to talk to you about your fear with her...this is something you are going to have to get over, and get over quick if you want a good experience with your bird.

The first thing you need to know is that you are going to get bitten. If you own a bird, you WILL be bitten at some point in the relationship. It sucks, but that's just the way it is. I've been bitten so many times that now instead of freaking out about it (like at the beginning) I just pry his beak off my skin and tell him "No biting".

For the best experience and the best chances of success, get her out of her cage, away from her cage (where she can't see it) to interact with her at first.

If you need help, I train birds regularly. Amazons are one of my favorite species, and I work with a couple here in Lansing regularly. Just email me and I'll try to help with whatever issues you come across, and if I don't know the answer, I know the people who will.

Good luck Michelle!

~Shannon

Answer 2

Is the parrot hand-reared and tame? For feeding you need a complete parrot mix - Sunflower, safflower, hemp seed, peanuts, etc. You must also feed it fruit daily, such as orange, apple, carrot, celery.... it may not like some of the fruit but will soon find out. Cleaning is up to you, if you leave the cage to get too dirty then you risk health issues to you and your family, but most of all the room will smell. Just put new paper in the bottom of the cage with a thin coating of sand on top, or even just sand on its own. Only allow the bird out of the cage if you are sure it is tame. Also, if the bird is quite flighty the you should have the flight feathers in the wings clipped by somebody that is experienced as if done wrongly can draw blood. Without this not only do you risk dameage to ornaments, etc. but also harm to the bird from flying in to windows. Amazons love hanging toys in the cage and also like being around people as they are quite sociable birds, but be warned, depending on the type of amazon, they can be quite noisy, especially the likes of Mealy Amazons, Blue Fronts, Orange Winged. Hope this helps

Answer 3

Stop being scared, you will get bit if she thinks you are afarid of her. Amazons will chew thur wood toys fast tehy really don't eat the wood. When you go to work turn on a TV it will help the bird.

Answer 4

Wood is one of the easiest ways to keep your bird's beak trim and to entertain them. A lot of people think that their birds are eating the wood when, in fact, they just chew it off and drop it most of the time. If wood was bad for birds, they wouldn't put them on their toys. Also, think about it, wood is one of the most common materials that birds find out in the wild. They use it to build homes, hide their nests, and to eat and sleep on.

Answer 5

The more you keep yourself distnt from her the more likely she'll never let you handle her. You should have thought about that before getting her. As far as her wood toy, they don't eat wood they just like to chew and destroy it. As long as it is a brid toy it will be fine.

Answer 6

chewing wood is normal and thats why its on the toy. parrot beaks never stop growing just like rodent teeth so its very good to have something for her to chew on... and as for you being scared of her... just spend time with her and let her know that you're not goin to hurt her... then when you feel the time is right try to pet her.

Answer 7

We have a blue & gold macaw. We are always making toys for him. We buy natural wood blocks dye them and make our own wooden toys. He loves to turn them into toothpicks! We string them from pieces of leather or chains. It keeps him busy for a while.

Answer 8

She probably just chewed at the toy and didn't eat it per say.I know that they can be destructive at times by chewing around windows and doors.If she ate at it and is still alive, don't worry she'll be OK......