Do Pigeons Play With Toys?
Got a pet pigeon and don’t know if you should buy toys for them? You should.
But do pigeons play with toys? Yes, pigeons play with toys and you can get toys like bells, mirrors, swings, etc., for them.
Some might show some reluctance initially, but if provided with the right toy, they will happily play with it.
Here, I will discuss what you should know about the toys of pigeons and also offer some recommendations on what toys to buy. Interested? Read on then.
Want to learn more about pigeon fun fact:
Do Pigeons Show Any Interest in Playing with Toys?
Yes, most pigeons show interest in playing with toys.
Some might not display much interest in traditional toys like teddy bears and toy packs, but it’s still possible to find something interesting for them to play with.
A friend of mine has a pigeon who was disinterested in toys. But the pigeon loves to play with shredded paper. So, you can say shredded paper is the toy for the bird.
But most pigeons do enjoy playing with traditional toys like bells, bird swings, mirrors, and building blocks.
You have to keep rotating the toys though. Because if they play with the same toys every day, they can get bored.
So, after the pigeon has spent some days with toys, take them out for a few days and give them some other toys. This way, you can avoid fatigue by rotating toys carefully.
Do Pigeons Recognize Their Toys?
Yes, pigeons are able to recognize their toys easily. Many underestimate the mental capabilities of pigeons, but they are smart to some extent and are very good at remembering people’s faces.
From personal experience, I have found out that pigeons can remember toys and seek them out too. My pigeon’s favorite item was the hammock I got for him. He used to spend a lot of time with it.
Once while rearranging the room, I moved it to a different place. Soon, I saw him looking for something and he became very pleased when he saw the hammock.
So, it became clear to me that the pigeon can not only recognize its toys but can also find them when needed.
Read our article about “Pigeon Fun Facts“
Are There Any Benefits to Providing Pigeons with Toys for Play?
A pigeon is an active bird and sitting in the coop all day long can harm its mental health.
Providing a means for his entertainment by letting him play with a toy will stimulate the bird mentally and will be beneficial for his well-being.
Also, it’s been proven that toys are a great means to train pigeons. They make the process easy and fun for them.
So, make some efforts to find out what toys your pigeons like and get them so that they can be active and healthy.
How to Find out Which Toys Pigeons Like?
There’s no shortcut to this, as the toy might be liked by one pigeon and disliked by another. Experimenting with various kinds of toys will get you the best results.
Give them the toys one by one and notice which one they spend the most time with. You can also give the pigeon all the toys at once and let it pick from them.
Once its preference is clear, get it similar kinds of toys.
For instance, if it likes to play with climbing frames, then it can mean that it prefers toys that demand significant physical activity.
Buying pigeons similar kinds of toys will have a higher chance of them liking the toys.
Can Playing with Toys Help Pigeons to Become Better Pets?
Yes, it will certainly make them better pets. Playing with toys makes them happy, and a happy pet is always a better pet.
You can also use the toys to make the training part faster and easier, which makes them better as a pet.
What Types of Toys Do Pigeons Prefer to Play with?
That’s a tough one to answer, as each pigeon can have a different taste regarding toys. But I’ve some recommendations for you that are usually liked by pigeons.
1. Hammocks/Swings
My pigeon loved the hammock and I’ve seen other pigeons play with it enthusiastically.
It’s like a happy place for them where they can chill and enjoy their time. So, it can be a good choice for your pigeon.
2. Forage Toys
Foraging is a part of pigeon’s nature and it’s absolutely the favorite act for many birds. So, getting a good foraging kit can be the best gift for your pigeon.
It can also make them more physically active and make their life more fun.
3. Bells
It’s a common toy that usually grabs the attention of pigeons. I have rarely seen the pigeons giving bells a complete ignore.
House pigeons like to play with them and especially enjoy the sounds they make.
My friend had a blind pigeon and its most treasured toy was the bell. I guess the pigeon’s hearing ability was a bit heightened due to its blindness.
4. Mirrors
Humans alone are not guilty of standing in front of the mirror and admiring their good looks.
Pigeons can do that as well, as they often spend a significant amount of time standing in front of the mirror while preening themselves.
I don’t know the reason, but they do enjoy it. And since it makes them happy, I have often recommended mirrors as toys to my fellow pigeon owners.
5. Climbing Frame
Pigeons can climb and like to climb. It’s a piece of toy that encourages them to physically exert themselves and also allows them to have a good time.
6. Make Sure the Toy Is Safe
Toys should have no toxic substance in them, as pigeons often chew their toys.
Also, while playing, make sure they don’t swallow the toy by mistake and choke themselves. Toys that are very small run the risk of being swallowed by the birds.
Conclusion
There’s no doubt that pigeons like playing with toys. And it not only gives them immense joy but is also important for their mental and physical wellbeing.
The right toys will keep them occupied for hours and also give them the opportunity for exercise.
Make sure there’s enough variety among the toys so that they don’t get bored by playing with the same kind of toys.
