Birds live in flocks in the wild and love company. Even if they don't share a cage, seeing each other across the room will keep them occupied. You could even give your bird a non-avian companion. Birds love watching fish in aquariums and other small pets in the house.
In the wild, birds have been observed flinging twigs around, stripping the bark off of twigs and tree limbs, bathing in puddles, hanging upside down and swinging as well as playing tag; these are all play activities. Crows have even been known to go "sledding" on their backs on snow-covered slopes in winter.
Wooden spools (with the thread removed, of course) make safe and fun playthings for birds of all sizes. Some owners use spools as foot toys that their birds can play with while out of their cages, and some string spools of cotton twine or vegetable tanned leather to hang on their pets' cage bars.
While the chances are very small that enough pathogenic bacteria would have collected on a toilet paper core, it is not wise to offer them to parrots as toys. Paper towel roll cores that are used in a bathroom should also not be used.
During a normal day in the wild, birds probably don't have much opportunity to get bored. The hunt for food undoubtedly occupies much of their attention, and they also have to avoid becoming food, keeping an eye out for predators at all times.
The easiest way to solve boredom is with a variety of toys that offer vibrant colors, diverse textures, and fun stimulation. You don't want to overwhelm him with toys; instead, rotate them every few days to keep him interested. There are a wide variety of toys to choose from.
Birds that are feather picking, screaming, or biting because they are bored or lacking attention should be provided with interactive toys, plus a TV to watch – or at least a radio to listen to. Their owners should try to give them extra attention and as much out-of-cage time as possible.
Singing, Talking or Whistling These are clear signs that your bird is in a happy mood and is healthy and content. Some birds may show off and do this more when near people. Chatter Soft chatter is another sign of contentment, or can just be your bird attempting and learning to talk.
Most birds (unlike other pets) prefer being petted against their feathers. If your bird is getting relaxed and comfortable with you touching them, you can gradually start rubbing the sides of their head gently, including the skin just behind their beak and around their ears (but be careful around the eyes).
Generally speaking, birds hate strong smells, shiny objects, and predators, both birds of prey or larger animals or humans within their vicinity.
Life in captivity is often a death sentence for birds, who may suffer from malnutrition, an improper environment, loneliness, and the stress of confinement. Birds are meant to fly and be with others of their own kind in a natural environment. Confinement causes birds to have temper tantrums and mood swings.
As long as a dark, quiet and somewhat secluded area is provided for a bird to sleep in, most will be fine without being covered at night. Remember, however, that sleep is vital to a bird's well-being. If you are in doubt about your pet's reaction to being uncovered, play it safe and resume covering the cage at night.
Chances are that your bird is not trying to be aggressive, as biting is not a dominance behavior in birds. Biting among wild birds is usually only an act of self-defense, and not a "pecking order" signal, nor any type of punishment or social correction.
Humans can contract the potentially dangerous disease from direct contact with infected animals. Practising good hygiene and keeping birds away from your mouth is recommended.
While many young birds do learn to enjoy cuddling, this can actually be detrimental to their health as they mature, especially for a female bird. When parrots are young, they may live in flocks and have companions within the flock.