Whether you and your Grey have been companions for many years or you've just brought your new baby home, we know that it's sometimes frustrating to shop for toys for our feathered family members. We've heard so many times "my bird is so picky!" or "my Grey is afraid of everything!" African Grey parrots are intelligent birds that need mental stimulation and enrichment, but finding the right toys can be challenging.
In this comprehensive guide, we've compiled the top 10 best toys for African Grey parrots, specifically chosen for picky and skittish birds. We've evaluated each toy based on safety, appropriateness for African Greys, durability, enrichment value, and ability to encourage natural behaviors. All products reviewed here include direct Amazon purchase links with our affiliate tag.
Quick Answer: Best Toys for African Grey Parrots
If you're in a hurry, here are the top toys for African Grey parrots:
- #1 Fireball Small: Small Wood Pieces Toy - Great intro to wood chewing, takes time to chew through
- #2 Jumbo Pine Cone Preener: Natural Pine Cone Toy - Natural texture, hours of preening
- #3 Peacock Sr.: Soft Pine Slats Toy - Thin wood slats, rainbow colors
- #4 Wiggle Waggle: 32 Individual Cups Toy - Slows down chewing, natural hemp rope
- #5 Pod Party: Mahogany Pods Toy - Unique crunchy texture, refillable
About Choosing Toys for African Grey Parrots
Whether you and your Grey have been companions for many years or you've just brought your new baby home, we know that it's sometimes frustrating to shop for toys for our feathered family members. We've heard so many times "my bird is so picky!" or "my Grey is afraid of everything!"
Understanding Your African Grey's Needs
African Grey parrots are highly intelligent birds that require mental stimulation and enrichment. However, they can also be naturally cautious and may be afraid of new things, especially bright colors. Toys with natural colors can help skittish parrots get over the newness of them a bit quicker.
Birds, even some of the largest parrots, won't just chew any wood - they need something softer and more sporting to dig their beaks into. Thin wood is key for encouraging wood chewing, which is important for beak health. Seagrass is another great material for pluckers and over-preeners, providing hours of entertainment.
Top 10 Best Toys for African Grey Parrots
10. Tiki Tangler by Cheep Thrills
The Tiki Tangler is full of Vine Balls, which is always a favorite among birds, but it's also loaded with different paper textures and therefore lightweight and good for birds who pick and over-preen their feathers.
Key Features: Vine balls, different paper textures, lightweight, good for feather pickers and over-preeners
Best For: Birds who need lightweight toys, feather pickers, over-preeners
9. Pharaon Medium by Fun-Max
One question we often get is how people can entice their parrots to chew more wood. Birds, even some of the largest parrots, won't just chew any wood, they need something softer and more sporting to dig their beaks into. That's what makes the Pharaon Medium one of our favorites for "pickier" wood chewers. It's got a ton of soft pine that's thin and easier for beaks to shred.
Key Features: Soft pine, thin wood, easier to shred, good for picky wood chewers
Best For: Picky wood chewers, birds who need softer wood, encouraging wood chewing
8. Firecracker Jr. by Super Bird Creations
The Firecracker Jr. has been one toy that we've carried for many years simply because it's one that can't be beat! So many birds crave seagrass, and this is one medium sized roll-up with layers and layers to slowly demolish. It's also an excellent foraging toy if you take the time to stuff it full of your parrot's favorite nuts or other treats. We've also found that seagrass is another great toy for pluckers and over-preeners, so it's a win-win all the way around.
Key Features: Seagrass material, layers to demolish, excellent foraging toy, good for pluckers and over-preeners
Best For: Birds who love seagrass, foraging enrichment, pluckers, over-preeners
View Firecracker Jr. on Amazon
7. This & That Round Large by Aronico
This & That is a fairly new toy to the scene, but it has everything that a timid grey might want. Sometimes when birds are naturally afraid of new things, toys with less color can help them get over the newness of them a bit quicker. Since this toy is largely made up of fibrous coconut, it's not so "scary" to some more skittish parrots.
Key Features: Fibrous coconut, natural colors, less intimidating, good for timid birds
Best For: Timid birds, skittish parrots, birds afraid of bright colors
View This & That Round Large on Amazon
6. Mega Rolls by Cheep Thrills
It's simple, it's mostly natural colored (to help with birds who are afraid of bright colors; do we sound like a broken record yet?) and it's got a ton of layers to shred, right down to the bird safe wire in the center. It's just a good, simple toy.
Key Features: Natural colors, multiple layers to shred, simple design, bird safe wire center
Best For: Birds afraid of bright colors, simple toy preferences, shredding enrichment
5. Pod Party by Cheep Thrills
Again with the natural colors. Plus, if you haven't tried mahogany pods for your flock, we highly recommend doing so. They are a very unique, crunchy-but-soft texture that most birds go absolutely nuts over, African Grey's included. The Pod Party is packed with them and can easily be refilled with a new pack of mahogany pods and your bird's favorite rope.
Key Features: Mahogany pods, unique crunchy-but-soft texture, natural colors, refillable
Best For: Birds who love unique textures, refillable toy options, natural materials
4. Wiggle Waggle by Cheep Thrills
With 32 individual cups, the Wiggle Waggle is good at slowing down the chewing and giving your grey a task to work at. Everything is strung on natural hemp rope which is small but super tough. This is also a great toy for birds who like to shake their toys around for a little bit of noise, but great for the "parronts" who don't want to hear a big racket.
Key Features: 32 individual cups, slows down chewing, natural hemp rope, small but tough, quiet noise
Best For: Birds who need tasks to work at, slowing down chewing, quiet play
3. Peacock Sr. by Super Bird Creations
We'll say it again: thin. wood. is. key. The Peacock is nothing but with a rainbow of soft pine slats all held together with 100% natural cotton rope. Another oldie but a goodie!
Key Features: Thin soft pine slats, rainbow colors, 100% natural cotton rope, classic design
Best For: Encouraging wood chewing, birds who need thin wood, colorful enrichment
2. Jumbo Pine Cone Preener by Cheep Thrills
It just doesn't get much more natural than a Jumbo Pine Cone Preener. These giant, untreated pine cones may look delicate, but they are anything but. There are dozens if not hundreds of little nubs to chew and underneath is a surprising "feathery" texture that birds love to continue to nibble and preen for hours.
Key Features: Giant untreated pine cones, dozens of nubs to chew, feathery texture, hours of preening
Best For: Natural enrichment, preening behavior, long-lasting entertainment
View Jumbo Pine Cone Preener on Amazon
1. Fireball Small by Fun-Max
We had trouble selecting exactly which toy should be number one and in the end, we decided that something that would take the most time to chew through would be a good wrap to the list. There's no ball in the center like you would think; it's small pieces of wood through and through. So, even if your Grey doesn't enjoy chewing large blocks but you know how important it is for beak health for them to chew at least some wood and you're looking for a place to begin, look no farther than the Fireball Small as a good intro into wood chewing.
Key Features: Small pieces of wood, takes time to chew through, good intro to wood chewing, important for beak health
Best For: Introducing wood chewing, beak health, long-lasting entertainment, birds who don't like large blocks
Product Comparison Table
| Rank | Toy Name | Key Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fireball Small | Small wood pieces, long-lasting, intro to wood chewing | Beak health, introducing wood chewing |
| 2 | Jumbo Pine Cone Preener | Natural pine cones, feathery texture, hours of preening | Natural enrichment, preening behavior |
| 3 | Peacock Sr. | Thin soft pine slats, rainbow colors, natural rope | Encouraging wood chewing, colorful enrichment |
| 4 | Wiggle Waggle | 32 individual cups, slows chewing, natural hemp rope | Task-oriented play, quiet entertainment |
| 5 | Pod Party | Mahogany pods, unique texture, refillable | Unique textures, refillable options |
How to Choose the Best Toy for Your African Grey Parrot
Consider Your Bird's Personality
Whether you and your Grey have been companions for many years or you've just brought your new baby home, understanding your bird's personality is key. Some African Greys are naturally cautious and may be afraid of new things, especially bright colors. Toys with natural colors can help skittish parrots get over the newness of them a bit quicker.
Encourage Natural Behaviors
African Grey parrots need toys that encourage natural behaviors like chewing, preening, foraging, and shredding. Wood chewing is important for beak health, so look for toys with thin, soft wood that's easier for beaks to shred. Seagrass and natural materials are great for pluckers and over-preeners.
Variety is Key
Provide a variety of toys to keep your African Grey mentally stimulated. Rotate toys regularly to maintain interest. Include different types: foraging toys, shreddable toys, wood chewing toys, and preening toys.
Safety First
Always ensure toys are made from safe, non-toxic materials. Check for any loose parts, sharp edges, or potential hazards. Use bird-safe materials like natural cotton rope, hemp rope, and untreated wood.
Special Considerations for Picky and Skittish Birds
Natural Colors
Sometimes when birds are naturally afraid of new things, toys with less color can help them get over the newness of them a bit quicker. Many of the toys on this list feature natural colors rather than bright, intimidating colors.
Lightweight Materials
For birds who pick and over-preen their feathers, lightweight toys with different textures can be beneficial. The Tiki Tangler, for example, is lightweight and loaded with different paper textures.
Gradual Introduction
When introducing new toys to a skittish bird, place them near the cage first, then gradually move them closer. Allow your bird to observe the toy from a distance before placing it inside the cage.
Foraging Enrichment
Many toys can be enhanced with foraging opportunities. The Firecracker Jr., for example, is an excellent foraging toy if you take the time to stuff it full of your parrot's favorite nuts or other treats.
Important Considerations
Wood Chewing
Birds, even some of the largest parrots, won't just chew any wood - they need something softer and more sporting to dig their beaks into. Thin wood is key for encouraging wood chewing, which is important for beak health. The Fireball Small, Peacock Sr., and Pharaon Medium all feature thin, soft wood that's easier for beaks to shred.
Seagrass Benefits
So many birds crave seagrass, and toys like the Firecracker Jr. provide layers and layers to slowly demolish. Seagrass is also great for pluckers and over-preeners, providing hours of entertainment and enrichment.
Refillable Options
Some toys, like the Pod Party, can easily be refilled with new materials. This makes them cost-effective and allows you to customize the toy to your bird's preferences.
Durability
Look for toys made with durable materials like natural hemp rope (which is small but super tough) and 100% natural cotton rope. These materials can withstand the strong beaks of African Grey parrots.
Final Verdict
We get that shopping for bird toys that your flock will actually play with can sometimes be daunting, but we hope that this list has given you some good pointers in the right direction. Whether you and your Grey have been companions for many years or you've just brought your new baby home, finding the right toys is essential for your bird's mental health and well-being.
The top 10 toys for African Grey parrots featured in this guide have been specifically chosen for picky and skittish birds. From the Fireball Small (our #1 pick for introducing wood chewing) to the Jumbo Pine Cone Preener (perfect for natural enrichment and preening), these toys encourage natural behaviors and provide hours of entertainment.
Remember that thin wood is key for encouraging wood chewing, which is important for beak health. Natural colors can help skittish parrots get over the newness of toys more quickly. Seagrass and natural materials are great for pluckers and over-preeners.
Quality toys are an investment in your African Grey's long-term mental health and happiness. Choose toys that are safe, appropriate for your bird's size and personality, and designed to encourage natural behaviors. With the right toys, your African Grey will be a happy, mentally stimulated companion for many years to come.
Use this guide as a reference when shopping for toys for your African Grey parrot, and don't hesitate to try different types of toys to see what your bird prefers. After all, happiness is super important to flock health and keeping them entertained with the right toy is a good step in that direction!