Parakeets At Play
If you're like most parakeet owners, you've probably filled your bird's cage with bells, mirrors, ropes and other fun things for your feathered pet to play with. But don't overlook your bird's most important "toy" - you!  While it's true that a well-chosen assortment of toys will keep a parakeet occupied for hours, nothing can replace the physical exercise and emotional bonding that comes from interactive play with its owner.  Playing with your bird will also make you feel closer to your pet.  Here are some games and activities you and your parakeet can enjoy together.

Chase the ball -- Just like dogs and cats, most birds love to chase a ball or other rolling object.  Try using a small plastic ball made especially for parakeets (available at Pet Supplies "Plus"), consisting of a cage-like outer sphere with a bell inside. Your bird will love the sound the ball makes, and she'll be able to pick it up with her beak when she catches it.  Always roll the ball in a direction away from your parakeet, since most birds are threatened by objects coming at them.

Floor toss - Nothing is more fun and intriguing to a parakeet than knocking an object off a table with its beak and watching it fall to the ground.  A ball may roll off the table too quickly for the bird to view its descent, so it’s best use a slower-moving object, such as a pencil, crumpled wad of paper or plastic toy car.  Once the object has hit the ground, your gleeful pet will be ready to play the game all over again . . . for hours on end.  Many parakeets will also like balancing themselves on a small stick or pencil that you hold in your hand.

Stop the top - Parakeets are fascinated by small spinning tops.  They'll gaze mesmerized until the top starts to slow down, then "attack" it, usually stopping it dead in its tracks, then look to you to start the magical orb spinning again.  Make sure the top you use doesn't have any sharp edges that could injure your bird.

Free flying -- All birds need to fly to stay healthy.  So allow your pet free flying time under your supervision. But make sure to bird-proof the room.  Another danger is that birds can crash into a window, because parakeets don’t realize that transparent glass is solid.

Story Time -- Your parakeet loves to hear the sound of your voice. Listening to you say familiar words is comforting and reassuring to your pet.  So why not end each play session by talking to your parakeet?  Your feathered friend will get as much enjoyment out of this bonding as he does from playing the most exciting game.