Parrots must have plenty of social interaction, exercise and opportunities to express their curious nature, or depression and deteriorating health will be the result. Here are a few simple ideas to keep your parrot engaged and in high spirits.

First, since parrots are tribal animals that live in flocks, make him part of your tribe by placing his cage where you and your family spend the most time. Make sure that you drape the back of his cage with a cloth, though, so that he can have privacy when he wants it.

Second, make sure you get out-of-cage time with your parrot each day. If you live alone and work out of the house, make some time each morning and evening for him, or he will degenerate into a problem bird. Climbing towers (or sturdy indoor plants) can give him a much needed break from his cage (even prisoners held in solitary confinement get an hour of exercise time each day). If his wings are not too closely clipped, try launching him gently from your arm a few times in an area where he can glide to the ground without hitting any obstructions.

Third, change your parrot’s environment with a different toy every few days, and make sure to swap out any toys that do not hold his interest. Include toys in his feeding routine by placing food in a sock, a pill bottle or a little box, and hanging them from the top of the cage. Or you can weave lettuce or other leafy vegetables into the cage bars to let him pull them out. Other toys should be selected to give a range of different textures, from popsicle sticks to socks, to magazines, shoe laces or paper cups.

As with humans, regular social activity, exercise and amusement can keep your parrot a happy, healthy bird.