03/12/2023
Environmental Enrichment 💗
Are our companion parrots destined to live frustrated, unhappy lives? Not necessarily; especially if the owner invests effort in enriching their parrot’s environment. Environmental enrichment involves modifying the captive animal’s surroundings, providing outlets for natural behaviors, and keeping them busy. This may include chewable toys, hidden foods for foraging, and appropriate social groupings. By offering a varied environment, including a diverse range of food and toys, as well as opportunities to play and socialize, companion parrots can enjoy happier lives as pets and are less likely to develop behavior issues.
Why is Environmental Enrichment Crucial?
While many responsible parrot owners have recognized the importance of providing their pets with a well-stocked environment of toys and chewable objects, regrettably, parrots in pet shops and homes are still often found in bare cages. This should not be deemed acceptable. Over the past decade, numerous scientific studies across various species have consistently demonstrated the manifold benefits of living in an enriched environment. Animals in such settings tend to be healthier, possess superior cognitive abilities, and exhibit fewer repetitive, abnormal behaviors compared to those in dull environments.
Until recently, minimal formal research focused on the specific needs of captive parrots. However, this gap has been addressed through a study on Orange-winged Amazons (Amazona amazonica), indicating that parrots in an enriched environment are less prone to damaging their plumage compared to those in cages with only food and water bowls (Meehan et al., 2003). https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0168159102001922
The study involved two groups of eight 16-week-old Amazons. One group had access only to basic necessities, while the second group engaged in foraging activities, including overcoming barriers to access food and interacting with chewable toys.
