Bird-Safe Materials: What to Look For

Parrots chew everything, so a toy is also a diet decision.

Wood

Untreated softwoods and balsa are ideal for shredding. Avoid anything varnished, stained or pressure-treated.

Leather and rope

Vegetable-tanned leather only. Natural fibre rope should be checked weekly for fraying — long loose threads catch toes.

Metal and plastic

Stainless or nickel-plated hardware. Zinc and lead are the two to avoid, and thin brittle plastic can splinter.