Yes, I agree, an avian veteranarian or an aviculturist would be in good positions/categories to know more what is safe, what is not. That's also what I tend to lean toward. There are bird toy manufacturers out there which do *not* stick with bird safety; and there are some which *do*. IE: I saw in a parrot shop a toy made on one of those split key rings for hanging with. MAJOR unsafe, as in "the bird world" we KNOW birds can get their tounges caught in those types of key rings, and they should never be used. Those metals split key rings; I'm sure you know which ones I'm talking about. I would replace that with with one of those stainless steel pear shaped quick links which screw closed (I'm sure you're familiar). With a toy on the split ring key ring, there was another toy which from that ring, there hung an unsafe type linked chain (would be hard to describe here). Then there was another toy which was made out of a party favor box (those have glue/adhesive on the flaps inside; bottom of boxes) - not good. I don't care what anyone says, I would *not* give my bird glues or adhesives; not comfortable, would not chance it for many reasons. It's just not something I want him to have. There are so many other types of toys and bird toy parts with safer options. Any time I look at or use little boxes, I always check for glue on the flaps, and either don't use them, or cut out the glued strips parts - then you can tie the rest of the box together . . . . Little boxes without glued flaps can be hard to find; I've searched all different sources, but you do come across them. I prefer just boxes where the flaps fold into eachother to close them. Alot of times boxes used for food can be used, but cut the glued strips out. Basically when used for food, they're not going to use toxic dyes for the coloring of the boxes. I have seen bird toys in the parrot shops with food boxes cut up into little square pieces and strung onto toys. You can clearly see the food preparation instructions and nutritional information and the pictures of the food (crackers, etc) on these box parts on the toys.
But it is good to follow up with what she brings back as these general questions for her vet, and she is so great for sharing this info with us.
It's also about what you're comfortable with, with your birds.
I have found some good information and articles about some safety things, things which should not be used, and things which are safe to use, etc., which I will post more about as time permits; right now I’ve been trying to research about some of them. There are some which seem old; some I don’t agree with, etc. Here is a great one I came across imparticularly which was very helpful and informative for me; this link:
http://www.okbirds.com/399/is-cardboard ... r-my-bird/ - - “Titled Is Cardboard Safe For My Bird?” It’s by an Avicultural Society. (Even still, I would never use toilet paper rolls or paper towel rolls because I’m just not comfortable giving glue to my bird, personally). Another thing you can give your bird is those little bitty snack boxes of raisens! (smile) – think, that’s food going directly against the box! Safe! That has been posted on birdsnways.com but, on second thought, that might make the bird eat the cardboard, which I don’t like that idea. You don’t want them to eat cardboard, you want them to tear it up and spit it out. If it’s flavored, because the raisens being against it, they may eat it. You know how some of the raisen residue can be left on the box. But that was some thoughts, and also to use the raisen boxes to make foraging toys, but not sure because that cardboard would end up flavored with raisen.
Here is another good helpful link about some things which can be used to make toys, some are general and we know about them. It is written from a bird rescue place, which you will see at the bottom. Here’s the link:
http://www.azexoticbirdrescue.org/toys- ... hment.html - - article name: Toys & Behavior Enrichment
Also saw another interesting toy idea on birdsnways.com was to use those itty bitty cereal boxes as toys for birds, so that may be great, because they at least have the lining inside the box which the cereal is in, so the food doesn’t come in contact with the box, so then the box material can not get the flavor of food on it.