My lovebird destroys every toy in a day — help!
My lovebird Peach is an absolute destroyer. She goes through toys in 24 hours flat. I'm buying balsa wood, seagrass mats, anything — gone in a day. Is this normal? Any suggestions for tougher toys that still provide enrichment?
Lovebirds are NOTORIOUS for this. Honestly I'd lean into it — destruction IS the enrichment. Buy in bulk and accept it. Dollar store wooden items (unpainted) work well if you need volume.
Try adding harder materials: chunks of pine (not cedar or treated wood), coconut shells, thick leather strips (untreated). Also cactus wood is indestructible and birds go nuts for the texture.
Peach sounds like an absolutely typical, healthy lovebird! Destruction is foraging and preening behaviour — it's mentally and physically healthy. The goal isn't to stop it, it's to make it safe and varied.
For more durable options:
- Hardwoods: Pine, balsa is too soft — try harder woods like manzanita or cholla (cactus wood)
- Leather: Untreated veg-tanned leather strips are tough and provide great beak exercise
- Stainless steel: Bells, rings, foot toys — indestructible and stimulating
- Coconut shells: She'll spend days working on the fibres
For volume, check Aliexpress or Etsy for bulk balsa/softwood toy parts — much cheaper per piece. Budget $20-30/month for a healthy destroyer lovebird and build a toy rotation so there's always something new.
Is Peach single or paired with another lovebird? Pairs destroy things together which doubles the fun (and the mess).