My green cheek Leila loves foraging all day, all around her cage in what we call in Spanish her “copitas” (aka little cups). We get small paper cups and clip them around all around her cage - inside and out - and add pellets and small bits of motivating food bits like millet, freeze dried veggie pieces, sprouts, soaked seeds, etc. into the cups. She loves running/flying from cup to cup throughout the day to find what we’ve hidden. We will makes some cups more complex by putting crinkle paper or toys that fit snuggly over the food so she must pull it out to reach the food. We will change the location of the copitas every month or so to keep things interesting. This is just one of many ways we like to offer foraging options!
Another she loves is towel foraging. We spread a towel out and sprinkle motivating bits of food on it and then bunch up the towel, roll up the towel, etc to conceal the food that she must push the towel around to reach. We find it has made her so much more willing to be toweled for vet visits and nail trims as well.
Happy 2025 David. Perfect timing for this video. Weve been working on getting our GCC more interested in foraging. She needs to be more independent. True story: My GCC Kiwi absolutely loves you and Sophie's videos. It is the strangest thing. The minute I put on one of your videos, she immediately flies to the top of the tv. No matter what shes doing, she stops and flies to the tv. Usually that is followed by flying a few circles around the living room. She doesnt do it for any of the other videos we watch. Sometimes my husband and I will put your videos on just to watch her little happy dance. It's honestly the cutest thing. We thank you both AND Kiwi thanks you too!! 😊
This was a game changer for my birds! They absolutely love foraging. This along with your (or Sohpie's, I can't remember) video to switch out the bottom cage bars for bird safe substrate has made my birds so much happier. Especially the cockatiels, they just love foraging for any treats.
@TheParrotTeacher I guess they thought something was wrong with the 2 eggs and cracked them. But laid another yesterday and are sitting on it this time
Is a square cage good or bad for a cockatiel. It is relatively very big except it lacks toys. Also do you recommend harrisons pellets or zupreem color pellets.its diffult for me to train with seeds as treats since seeds are already there main diet and are swing good toys? BTW new to your channel
I dont recommend either of those pellets! I have a good video interview discussing the topic! As for the all seed diet Id also recommend altering that a bit too (see my diet videos) As for a square cage, provided its big and has lots of good stuff in it I dont see an issue!
Dear David, I have a cockatiel male. He is 5 months old and very tame. He doesn't bathe. I tried to train him with millets but he won't get in. Do you have any tips how to get my bird to bathe?
Sophie (birdnerdsophie) actually has an awesome video regarding bathing on her channel! With cockatiels its not quite as needed and many can be fussy! So do take your time with it!
Thanks so much! I am just about to let my conure out for time to play, and I saw this video and set up a foraging mat for him ❤❤ thanks!
Glad I could help! Hope he enjoys!
My green cheek Leila loves foraging all day, all around her cage in what we call in Spanish her “copitas” (aka little cups).
We get small paper cups and clip them around all around her cage - inside and out - and add pellets and small bits of motivating food bits like millet, freeze dried veggie pieces, sprouts, soaked seeds, etc. into the cups. She loves running/flying from cup to cup throughout the day to find what we’ve hidden. We will makes some cups more complex by putting crinkle paper or toys that fit snuggly over the food so she must pull it out to reach the food. We will change the location of the copitas every month or so to keep things interesting. This is just one of many ways we like to offer foraging options!
Another she loves is towel foraging. We spread a towel out and sprinkle motivating bits of food on it and then bunch up the towel, roll up the towel, etc to conceal the food that she must push the towel around to reach. We find it has made her so much more willing to be toweled for vet visits and nail trims as well.
Some great ideas for foraging there! Getting her using her mind and looking for snacks is awesome!
These are wonderful ideas, thank you so much for sharing! I can't wait to try these
Got my conure a forgaging tray and toys for his christmas ❤
Awesome!
Happy 2025 David. Perfect timing for this video. Weve been working on getting our GCC more interested in foraging. She needs to be more independent.
True story: My GCC Kiwi absolutely loves you and Sophie's videos. It is the strangest thing. The minute I put on one of your videos, she immediately flies to the top of the tv. No matter what shes doing, she stops and flies to the tv. Usually that is followed by flying a few circles around the living room. She doesnt do it for any of the other videos we watch. Sometimes my husband and I will put your videos on just to watch her little happy dance. It's honestly the cutest thing.
We thank you both AND Kiwi thanks you too!! 😊
Im so glad our videos bring you and Kiwi joy! She sounds mega cute!
I've never heard anyone talk about this, even after owning a parot for 4 years! I'm definitely trying this with Albedo once I get home! ❤
Hope it goes well!
Perfect timing for the video! Thanks. Tired of my buddy doing his foraging inside my beard and mouth for hours
This comment gave me a chuckle! Hope it helps!
This was a game changer for my birds! They absolutely love foraging. This along with your (or Sohpie's, I can't remember) video to switch out the bottom cage bars for bird safe substrate has made my birds so much happier. Especially the cockatiels, they just love foraging for any treats.
Its so nice they are getting to enjoy their natural behaviours and have fun!
Buen detalle
Thank you!
❤❤❤
❤️👍
I let my bird see me putting millet in the toys so he knows where to look.
Good plan! Makes it easier for him!
My parakeets laid eggs the other day
Oh dear!
@TheParrotTeacher I guess they thought something was wrong with the 2 eggs and cracked them. But laid another yesterday and are sitting on it this time
Rescued another Indian ringneck parrot today. She's in rough shape both feet messed up and is regrowing feathers
Is a square cage good or bad for a cockatiel. It is relatively very big except it lacks toys. Also do you recommend harrisons pellets or zupreem color pellets.its diffult for me to train with seeds as treats since seeds are already there main diet and are swing good toys?
BTW new to your channel
I dont recommend either of those pellets! I have a good video interview discussing the topic!
As for the all seed diet Id also recommend altering that a bit too (see my diet videos)
As for a square cage, provided its big and has lots of good stuff in it I dont see an issue!
Dear David, I have a cockatiel male. He is 5 months old and very tame. He doesn't bathe. I tried to train him with millets but he won't get in. Do you have any tips how to get my bird to bathe?
Sophie (birdnerdsophie) actually has an awesome video regarding bathing on her channel!
With cockatiels its not quite as needed and many can be fussy! So do take your time with it!