Need ideas for out of cage activities

[Kyoto]

Hello everyone,
Kyoto my GCC has been doing well. She still bites at times but we are starting to curb that behaviour with some persistence.

I am wondering what I can do for Kyo when I want to let her out but need to be doing some schoolwork. At the moment she has no interest in her play stand or the toys I've placed outside her cage. I did get her a window perch and she will sit in it for 5 or 10 minutes at a time, but she gets bored fast and just wants to be with me, particularly walking on my keyboard and trying to prevent me from getting any work done (hehe). She'll even try to nip my hands to get my attention, and I feel so bad that she craves so much attention.

I have a little mini table perch on the way in the mail with a food dish to sit on my desk, and I'm going to hang some swings from the ceiling eventually. Any other suggestions for getting her to play a little more independently when out of the cage? She loves to try to eat my textbook and pens too, I can't even take notes when she is out. Naughty birdie it really is like having a 4 year old.

 

[LaurenB]

I, too, would like some suggestions. My GCC is also a velcro bird. She wants to be on me constantly, and if I try to do anything else, she will not allow it! She also does not like her play gym, and does not really play with toys when I'm around.

I guess we just have to accept them for who they are. Even if you have to put her in her cage while you are studying, you will still be company for her because you are nearby.

 

[Dinosrawr]

Foraging! 100% the best way to occupy a bird and keep them and you happy. If my birds see me even touch a paper cupcake holder, they go batty. Same with the mini red solo cups or any bottle caps. What I do when I want peace is put a blanket over my bed (I live in a studio style basement suite), wrap treats such as sunflower seeds, Harrison pellets, almonds, etc. in the cupcake holders, put other treats underneath bottle caps, and put treats in the cups hidden underneath crumpled tissue paper and place them upside down. I also leave some easy ones out and about.

It occupies them for as long as there are treats available. Foraging toys are seriously the best thing in the world for keeping a bird quiet. There's lots of unique ways to make foraging toys, and once they make the association they'll always go crazy over playing with them.

 

[Kyoto]

Thanks for the suggestion! I will give it a try. I leave foraging toys in her cage when I'm out, I never thought about doing it when I'm there.