Think of your bird as you would a three-year-old child. They both love playing with their toys. Toys are important to your bird's happiness and emotional well-being. Toys won't take the place of your attention, but they are a vital part of your bird's life, particularly to any bird that is housed alone. One of your first considerations should be whether or not the toy is safe for your bird. Ensure the size of the toy is appropriate for the bird - toys for large birds can be dangerous for small birds and vice versa. There are a wide variety of bird toys available to choose from, and they can be grouped into the following categories:

Swings and rings are a favorite play item of many birds. Other popular hanging toys include mirrors, ropes, chains, rawhide chew toys, bells, lava rocks, beads and any imaginable combination of these.

Birds enjoy rolling and pushing toys across the bottom of their cages including balls, plastic birds and blocks of wood. Toys they can pick up and hold with their feet, such as dumbbells, rings and rawhide bones, provide valuable exercise.

Yes, there are gyms designed just for birds! They are equipped with perches, ladders and a variety of hanging toys. Some gyms or "playpens"; as they are often called, are built-in as part of the cage. Others can be purchased separately and set on top of your bird's cage or on a table.

The choice of toys for your bird will depend on the type of bird you own or are planning to purchase. Size is an all-important factor. A parrot would quickly destroy any toy meant for a finch or budgerigar. Toys are generally labeled with the type or size of bird for which they are intended. Finches and canaries tend to use fewer toys, primarily bells and swings. However, they can also be offered small toys intended for budgerigars such as ladders.

Cockatiels, lovebirds and parrots generally have a wider variety of toys made for them. This is largely because they love to play with toys. They also require more mental stimulation, as they are highly intelligent and inquisitive.

Each bird, of course, will have an individual preference in toys. Some have a passion for their mirrors; others may love their bells. Some birds play primarily with big chunky blocks while others prefer intricate beads strung on a rope.

Be careful not to overcrowd your bird's cage with toys. It is best to rotate the toys in your bird's cage regularly, thereby thwarting boredom.

Sturdiness: You must ensure the toys you offer your bird are strong enough to withstand his beak. Parrots love to chew and destroy toys. Check toys regularly for wear and breakage, removing any that are damaged.

Small Parts: Too-small parts and toys that come apart can be hazardous for your bird. Parrots, for example, are notorious for tearing the clapper out of bells so it's best to remove the bell's clapper.

Ropes: Some experts consider cotton ropes a danger to birds because they fray with wear, sometimes entangling a bird's foot. Consider sisal (untreated) as alternatives. If you do give your bird cotton rope toys, be sure to check them regularly for signs of wear and dispose of them accordingly.

Attachments: The best connector is probably a simple C-ring, which can be found at most hardware stores. Ensure any clip you use does not contain any zinc. Also, you can tie toys in place with pieces of rope or rawhide but they won't stay in place very long. If you do tie a toy in place, ensure it is secured tightly in order to avoid your bird's foot or wing getting caught in the "loop."

Toys From Around the House: Adapting items from around the house as bird toys is an option. However, employ good common sense and avoid the following:

• Paper containing dyes or colored inks
• Painted wood
• Leather, which can contain tanning chemicals or dyes
• Plastic that could be broken apart and eaten
• Soft PVC and vinyl toys (these have been found toxic to both children and birds)
• Metal containing lead or zinc
• Metal objects with sharp corners
• Toys that are too flimsy for your bird
• Toys that have parts small enough to be swallowed.

Whenever assembling a homemade toy, or repairing a broken toy, always use a non-toxic glue.