Lovebirds and cockatiels: clever, affectionate and very easily bored

Lovebirds and cockatiels have bags of personality. The former are small, energetic and a bit stubborn; the latter, affectionate, curious and famous for their expressive crest. Both have something in common: if they've nothing to do, they get bored, and a bored bird can become noisy or develop unhealthy behaviours.

Foraging: finding food is a game

In the wild, these birds spend a good part of the day looking for food. At home, it's served up in a bowl, and that takes away one of their favourite activities. Foraging is about giving them that search back.

• Foraging toys where you can hide seeds or bits of their usual food.
• Balls of unprinted paper or small cardboard boxes with something inside.
• Skewers for hanging up bird-safe vegetables or fruit.
• Several feeding spots in the cage instead of just one.

Start with very easy challenges and make them harder bit by bit, so they don't get frustrated.

Toys for beaks and feet

Lovebirds and cockatiels alike love breaking things. Toys made of natural wood, plant fibres and cardboard give them something safe to destroy. Add swings, ladders and perches of different thicknesses so they move about and exercise their feet.

Always choose toys suited to their size, with no small parts they could swallow or threads they could get tangled in, and check them often.

Time out of the cage

Flying is an essential part of their wellbeing. If your bird is used to it, let it out every day in a prepared room: windows and doors shut, mirrors and glass covered or marked, no cooking going on, no fans running and no other animals nearby.

Company, the key ingredient

They're social birds that need daily interaction. Talk to them, whistle with them, teach them little tricks with treats. Many people decide to keep two so they have company: if you're considering it, do your homework first, because not every pairing works.

If your bird plucks its feathers, screams constantly or its behaviour changes a lot, see a vet who specialises in birds to rule out health problems.

At Petuki you'll find foraging toys, perches, swings and cages so your lovebird or cockatiel has a nicely busy day.