If you’ve ever watched your bird gleefully tear apart a toy in minutes, you’re not alone. Many bird species—especially parrots—have strong beaks and natural chewing instincts. But not all bird toys are built to last, and some may pose safety risks when they break down. That’s why it’s essential to choose toys that are durable, bird-safe, and enriching for your feathered chewer.
In this post, we’ll highlight the best types of chewable bird toys, explain why chewing is important, and help you pick the safest options for your bird.
Why Birds Love to Chew
Chewing is a natural and necessary behavior for birds. In the wild, birds use their beaks to:
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Tear bark and wood
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Forage for food
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Build nests
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Explore their environment
In captivity, chewing serves the same purpose—providing mental stimulation, exercise, and stress relief. It also helps keep beaks healthy and trimmed, which is especially important for parrots, cockatoos, and macaws.
Signs Your Bird is a Heavy Chewer
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Toys are destroyed within hours or days
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Preference for wood, rope, or paper
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Chews on cage bars or perches
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Beak overgrowth if toys aren’t provided
If this sounds familiar, your bird likely needs chew-specific toys in their enrichment rotation.
Top Chewable Bird Toys (That Last!)
🪵 Hardwood Toys
Toys made from bird-safe woods like manzanita, pine, and birch can endure longer and satisfy strong chewing urges.
Best for: Macaws, African Greys, Amazons - 3898 Natural Long Wood Step
🧺 Shreddable Toys
Paper, palm leaf, and seagrass toys are perfect for birds who love to tear, rip, and dismantle.
Best for: Cockatiels, Budgies, Conures - 3450 Paper Shred
🧩 Layered Foraging Toys
Toys that combine chewing with problem-solving keep your bird engaged longer—like treat-filled boxes made of cardboard or soft wood.
Best for: All parrots and parakeets - 3866 Natural Foraging Star
🪢 Natural Rope & Sisal Toys
These allow birds to pick, tug, and chew in a safe and satisfying way. Avoid cotton ropes, which can fray dangerously.
Best for: Medium to large birds - 2629 Large Leather Braid
🌰 Coconut Shell Toys
Sturdy, all-natural, and hard to destroy—perfect for tough beaks. These toys also double as foraging hideouts.
Best for: Eclectus, Quakers, Lovebirds
Safety First: What to Avoid
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Plastic toys that break into sharp pieces
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Treated wood or painted finishes
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Loose threads or fraying cotton
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Toys with metal clips or bells that rust
Always inspect toys regularly and replace them when they become too worn or hazardous.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right chew toys is key to keeping your bird happy, mentally stimulated, and physically healthy. Invest in high-quality, tough, and bird-safe options that can stand up to daily beak work. Your bird will thank you—with fewer behavioral issues and a lot more playtime joy.
🛒 Ready to upgrade your bird’s toy box?
Browse our collection of safe, durable bird chew toys designed for all species and chewing levels! Shop Now