New White Capped Pionus Owner w/ Questions!

[MissyMe83]

Hello : )

I have a little WC Pionus coming in the next two weeks and am in the preperation stage. I have ordered his cage, but need to get toys, food, etc.

If you own a Pi could you tell me what his/her preferences are in regards to toys they love or the kinds of food that they like?

Does your Pi love a swing? A special chew toy? Ropes?

Was thinking I'd go with Zupreme pellets, but they have so many different flavors.... Any favorites among your flock? How about fruits and veggies or treats?

Would love to hear about what your Pi loves/hates.

Thanks in advance- Melissa

 

[beck]

Weeell, I don't have a Pi... But I'm going to reply anyway :09:

I think it depends less on the species and more on the individual bird. You're going to have some hits and misses either way (like when you buy a beautiful, expensive wooden swing that your bird won't touch, and in fact screams bloody murder at whenever you take him near it.... *grumblegrumble*).

Some hits with my bird have been:
-His boing (I think most birds like these a lot)
-Rope perches
-His happy hut (took a long time to warm up to it, now sleeps in it every night)
-Foraging boxes (like this: 2 Door - 2 Stack Foraging Toy by Creative Foraging - FORAGING TOYS by MY SAFE BIRD STORE)
-Zupreem Avian Entrees Hot & Spicy pellets (he likes the fruity ones too, but prefers these)
-Anything he can tear apart (loves destroying anything involving colorful paper strips)
-Those thin leather strips (he'll sit with them for hours, rearranging them over his perches and licking them all over, hahaha)

Congrats on your new Pi!

 

[andrea.faerie]

So I think I should give you some background on my fid first.
I have a Blue Headed Pionus. He doesn't really play because he never had toys before... He's my rescue. He's never had toys before and was left to his own company for 2 and a half years. He's currently 5. I've had him for a little over a month (i think) so he's still settling in. So he's more set in his ways than a baby would be, but as with ANY baby bird, they'll need time to settle in and get used to their surroundings and new family, so don't panic if your new baby doesn't play with toys right away, some do, some don't!
He's QUITE fond of his acrylic toys, one has a ball in it, the other is a few pieces of colorful acrylic attached to a clear acrylic arch. He seems to like things that are brightly colored and plastic but it has to be on his terms. Acrylic toys are a tad expensive... but they last One thing that I know he loves is PAPER! I weave a few pieces of heavier stock paper between the top bars of his cage and he chews on them when he's out. I weave them right above his bowls so while he's playing on his playtop perch, no poo goes in the food or water! he also has his own roll of adding tape His cage has rope perches all through it, he loves them. I'm not sure how he'd like a swing or boing, I don't have a boing and I don't have swing big enough for him my conure loves them though!

As for food, He's fed zupreem premium. he likes the harvest flavor and the wild n spicy he doesn't seem to like the fruit flavors too much... which makes sense, he'll inhale a pepper but avoid the apples like the plague when he gets fresh fruits and veggies (everyday). His treats are nutriberries (1 or 2 a day), dried pasta (rotini, rotelle, elbows), safflower seeds, an occasional peanut when he's been really good, and his FAVORITE are pumpkin seeds! Remember though, fruits and veggies need to be fed everyday. Avoid sunflower seeds at all cost, and peanuts are too fabulous either. Avocado and chocolate are poisonous. Dairy is also something to avoid either completely or just as special treats, sometimes I'll let bleu have a shred or 2 of cheese if I'm making nachos but that's it. Lucy doesn't like cheese at all.

Hope this was helpful!

 

[Echo]

I have 2 Pionus, Dusky and Blue Headed. They both prefer fresh food(mash with all kinds of veggies, egg, starch, pulses etc....) over pellets/seeds. They eat zupreem fruitblend and Bountiful Harvest but will go for fresh first. They enjoy sprouts.

For toys, their favorite is the shreddable pinata. They LOVE shreddable toys.

 

[Mamanda]

I don't have a pi, but i wanted to say Congrats & gorgeous birdy! Have fun preparing for your new baby!

 

[lene1949]

I wouldn't change his food all of a sudden... Get the same as the breeder is feeding, and then slowly change...

Introducing him to as many different things/toys early would be good, as birds get very scared of new things...

Max, my Alexandrine, 3.5 months old, is only now starting to fear new toys...

 

[MissyMe83]

Thank you everyone for the advice. I'll make sure to add some shred toys to my every growing shopping cart ; ) as well as a variety of different foods/flavors.

Getting very excited for this little guy to get here.

 

[mnkeastman]

Pretty baby , also great question as it is one I had too