I have been a parent to pet birds since 2022, and I realized that a pet bird needs to be out of their cage throughout the day to be mentally and emotionally healthy. Mint & Mango, my two very outgoing parrots need 1-2 hours of direct in-person time at least each day for their emotional and physical wellbeing. During this time, we chit-chat, play with toys, and play training games. Giving them lots of enrichment activities such as puzzles and foraging toys has (in my experience) kept them motivated and fulfilled even though I’m not available to them.

Pet birds need interaction and if they do not get enough attention, bad behaviors can develop from the birds such as excessive screaming, feather plucking, and more. By Spending only a few moments every day and playing with Mint & Mango, I make them my happy, well-adjusted little buddies. It has been a learning opportunity for me to see how much daily attention makes your pet birds happy and satisfactory.

Daily Interaction Time

Small-sized Pet Birds

Small pet birds like budgies, lovebirds, canaries, finches, and diamond doves can be great fun to care for, but in order to keep them healthy, you need to take the time necessary to satisfy their daily requirements.

Budgies

budgies (parakeets) as highly social and intelligent birds. They need at least 1-2 hours (especially English Budgies) of daily interaction out of their cage. Things such as talking to your pet, allowing them to fly around the home in a safe room, and gently handling them. Budgies are fond of bonding with their owners and can become bored from being alone.

You can also keep them busy with the toys that make your bird forage or solve problems. It is good for their mental activity. Don’t forget to make sure they have enough space to stretch their wings and multiple perches in the cage. They need constant stimulation and that even applies inside the cage with toys and activities to keep them occupied.

Lovebirds

Lovebirds are known for their monogamous nature and playfulness. They require at least 1-2 hours (same as budgie) of human interaction daily. Although the interaction with humans is reduced, which in principle is partially offset by keeping the birds in pairs, it is still pleasant and useful for them.

Remember to offer a plethora of toys and ones that are suitable to chew on. Lovebirds do love to gnaw on things like puzzle toys and foraging opportunities. Lovebirds enjoy daily baths thus providing them with a shallow dish of water to splash or use a birdbath spray.

Caring for Budgies, Lovebirds, Canaries, and Finches and making the commitment to meet these species’ daily demands rewards the bird owner with delightful little pets.

Canaries

Canaries are less social with humans than budgies, but they still need some attention. Male canaries sing beautifully, they need visual and auditory stimulation. Put their cage in a high-traffic area of the house, where they can watch how people and other things go about! They do not long for human connection and it is beneficial to speak with them and sit around them for a while every day.

Finches

Finches are extremely active and social with their own species. They do best in pairs or small groups. They require the company of other finches. One of the pleasures of keeping finches is watching the relationships between them. Finches require a wide, flat cage. They need a lot of room to fly from side to side. Spend time daily watching them to make sure they are healthy and active.

Diamond Doves

Diamond doves are very calm and quiet cute little birds with soft cooing sounds. They are not as interactive with humans as other birds. However, sitting with them often and speaking to them softly can help them relax. Diamond doves, like the finches, need plenty of room to fly. Something like a big spacious horizontal cage would be optimal since they should be able to move their wings.

Medium-sized Pet Birds

Medium-sized pet birds such as cockatiels, conures, caiques, Senegal parrots, and lorikeets are a delightful addition to any home. While every bird is different from my little experience with these birds. I paid attention to some solid guidelines so that they would remain healthy and happy.

Cockatiels

Cockatiels are a species of bird that loves human interaction. These birds usually require a minimum of 1-2 hours of direct human interaction each day. This may involve speaking with them, giving them a shoulder ride, or stroking them lightly. Make or provide a variety of objects (toys) for these birds to interact with; some toys should make noise, and many birds enjoy playing with reflective surfaces so these can be helpful. They also love foraging toys and swings

Conures

Conures are high-energy socialites and demand plenty of interaction from their human flock. They should have 3-4 hours of interaction time outside the cage each day. This would consist of playtime, obedience work and just hanging out. Conures require many toys, especially anything that is easily destructible and easy to chew on. By rotating their toys it keeps them engaged. They love to challenge their mind with interactive toys as well.

Caiques

These birds have a high energy level (same as Conure) and love to play. They need 3-4 hours of engagement and out-of-cage supervised playtime per day. Their favorite activities are climbing, swinging, and exploring. They also love puzzle toys that make them work for a treat.

Senegal Parrots

Senegal parrots are lovely pet birds that love to spend time with their family. Interactions require about 2-3 hours per day, interactions include petting, playing, and training. Give a variety of toys to play with such as chew toys, puzzle toys, and perches of different textures. It likes challenging play and problem-solving toys.

Lorikeets

Lorikeets are highly social and active birds who need a lot of daily interaction. These little guys require 4 hours of playtime and bonding with at least two hours being one on one time. These guys like to fly and go on adventures with flying involved. Lorikeets get a number of various toys as well because they ought to have stuff to chew on and games that allow them to forage feed. Next to their love of running to come play with water as they love bathing themselves.

Large-sized Pet Birds

Large-sized parrots need a lot of work and attention. This means that this breed is happiest when it can socialize and have a good meal in its belly. Providing them with a selection of toys, exercise and a fixed schedule to follow will result in them being happy and fit. Each type will have differing needs, and it is vital that you take the time to learn and care for your particular birds well-being.

African Grey Parrots

African greys are one of the most intelligent parrot species and need lots of interaction and mental stimulation. At least 3-4 hours of human interaction is necessary. This involves speaking, training, and interactive play. Offer a wide selection of toys, including puzzle towers, foraging toys (hiding meals in them), as well as toys that help stimulate their problem-solving skills. They also enjoy a variety of perches and swings.

Cockatoos

Cockatoos are incredibly social and chin wag as naturally as breathing. They need daily attention for 4-6 hours a day including cuddling, playing, and training. They are very loyal to their owners and love sitting on their lap. Cockatoos require sturdy toys that provide chewing opportunities. Sensory toys, swings, and climbing structures are fun as well. This bird does get bored  rather quickly, so maybe changing to a rotated supply of toys up from the attic might be in order.

Amazon Parrots

Amazon parrots are playful and social birds that need 3-4 hours every day. They love to talk and speak in chorus as well as to sing and communicate in training. More than anything, they just love having a routine and regular social interaction. Spending time with them can motivate them or better their mood and help improve your bond.

Moluccan Eclectus Parrots

Moluccan eclectus parrots are social and intelligent birds that need at least 3-4 hours of interaction a day. All of them love talking, teaching, and playing. They are extremely loyal and will form a deep bond with their owner, who they need to be around. Offer an assortment of toys (foraging toys, puzzle toys, chewing toys). They also appreciate perches of varying textures and sizes and swings and climbing units.

Macaws

Macaws are very social and intelligent birds and require quite a bit of interaction on a daily basis. They require at least 4-6 hours of social interaction every day. This is not limited to conversation, training, and playing. Macaw toys need to be hard-wearing. They also like swings, climbing structures, and perches with different textures and sizes. If you cycle the toys on a regular basis, they are more likely to stay engaged.

It is essential to devote regular daily attention to keep your pet birds happy. If you spend about one hour every day doing things like talking, playing, and training with your birds it will greatly enhance the quality of their lives. Keep in mind, a little attention a day can raise your bird(s) happiness & health even higher