In my house, we try to do as much foraging as possible. For these reviews, I am using the impressions by Jingo, my quaker who lives with a family member, as well as my own bird, Ripley (Jardine's Parrot). I will be updating this as we explore more toys!
Four Corner Foraging by Caitec Creative Foraging Systems
My thoughts: 3/5
Jingo (Quaker): 1/5
Ripley (Jardine's): 4/5
I like that it is easy to clean and can fit a variety of sizes of treats. I don't like that it it can't mount to the side of the cage so that it is parallel to the side of the cage. You can mount from top or bottom of cage though to achieve a similar effect. I also think the corners are a safety issue because they are a strangulation risk for smaller birds.
Jingo can open up one of the doors but he is not a fan of even trying with this toy.
Ripley, however, is larger and can open all of the doors. He really likes this one!
Hideaway Foraging Feeder by Caitec Creative Foraging Systems
My rating: 2/5
Jingo (Quaker): 1/5
Jingo (Quaker): 1/5
Ripley (Jardine's): 1/5
Jingo and Ripley both have absolutely no interest in this toy. It only holds smaller treats, and really works better when full, which isn't always ideal. And, I find it difficult to clean thoroughly. I give it a 2 only because the smaller design is good for birds that may be more intimidated by the larger ones, and because the lid does come off completely which is good for refilling.
Crazy 8s Foragewise by Nature's Instinct
My rating: 2/5
Jingo (Quaker): 1/5
Ripley (Jardine's): 1/5
It seems like it should be easy enough! Just tip it and the food comes out. Jingo couldn't do it. Ripley chose not too. I can still hide treats in the opening, but its not being used as intended. The space that holds food is relatively small so it can't hold a lot. The shape makes it harder to clean. Definitely more well suited for bigger birds in the design, but the size of the space for food means it will only hold a few items.
Foraging Wheel Generation I by Caitec Creative Foraging Systems
My thoughts: 5/5
Jingo (Quaker): 5/5
Ripley (Jardine's): 4/5
I love this toy. It has a clip set up so when the toy needs to be refilled it detaches from the cage easily without needing to unscrew the base. The entire front of the wheel also comes off by unscrewing, so you can easily clean and fill the toy back up.
Jingo also loves this toy. He is able to eat from each of the wells with relative ease, but because of the smaller holes it is still more of a challenge.
For Ripley, his larger beak tends to get in the way of him being able to actually get stuff out easily. So despite the larger toy size, it really seems more fit for smaller beaked birds.
Windmill by Caitec Creative Foraging Systems
My rating: 2/5
Jingo (Quaker): 4/5
Ripley (Jardine's): 1/5
Jingo likes this toy because it is relatively easy for him to access. However, I think it is hard to keep clean, and the holes for food are rather small. You also have to be careful to not get any food into the center where the bolt is, otherwise it won't close properly, meaning it won't turn, and it will be useless. Because its such a small area, if you DO get something in it, it's really hard to get it out without completely turning the toy upside down, spilling out everything.
Ripley wants nothing to do with this toy so far unless something is sitting in the bottom.
Push and Pull Forager by Caitec Creative Foraging Systems
My Rating: 2/5
Jingo (Quaker): 3/5
Jingo likes this because he can just shake it furiously and make it work fine. It works best with small foods because the holes inside are small. No Nutriberries, etc. This toy is HARD to clean. I ran it through the dishwasher and there are now seeds stuck in places I cannot get out, even with repeated washings. So, I have not been able to test it with Ripley yet as I had to toss it for fear of mold.
Food Tumbler by Caitec Creative Foraging Systems
My Rating: 3/5
Jingo (Quaker): 2/5
Ripley (Jardine's): 2/5
This toy is easier to clean than I expected. It says that it has varying degrees of difficulty, but if you only put a little bit in it, it's hard regardless. Once it gets down to a certain level, it is almost impossible to get out without taking the tube off. Not really a great situation for using as a "treat dispenser", and does better when offering a larger amount of food.
Jingo and Ripley both like this provided it is full of something, but quickly lose interest when the food level gets lower and the difficulty naturally increases.
4 Way Forager by Super Bird Creations
My Rating: 5/5
Jingo (Quaker): 5/5
Ripley (Jardine's): 5/5
This is a favorite around here! It is easy to fill, easy to clean, and both birds I've tested it on took to it readily. If I were going to get one forager for a small to medium bird, it would be this one from.
This is hands down Ripley's favorite!
Barrel of Fun by Caitec Creative Foraging Systems
My Rating: 4/5
Jingo (Quaker): 1/5
Ripley (Jardine's): 1/5
I have tried this toy with every bird I've had. Quakers. Green Cheek. Hahns. Jardine's. I cannot get anyone to use it. It does work if you are into the "scavenger hunt" style of foraging where you hide stuff around the cage. I hide an almond in it and leave it open for Ripley to find. As for it's intended use, larger more mechanical birds may have better results. Jingo is quite mechanical and food motivated, but this failed to get his interest.
Parrot's Treasure by Caitec Creative Foraging Systems
My Rating: 2/5
Jingo (Quaker): 3/5
Ripley (Jardine's): 1/5
I want to love this toy. It is so cute. Jingo enjoys turning the knobs to open it up. My biggest issues are that the chain is so long, and because of the way the lid is connected to the chain, the bottom portion goes crashing down as soon as it is open. It makes it difficult to find a good place for the bird to open the toy and still access the goodies inside of it. It is easy to clean, at least!
Ripley so far has had no interest in this but he is not mechanically inclined like Jingo is.