Creative Foraging Systems Hanging Foraging Sphere & Kabob with Stainless Steel Bell, Interactive Bird Treat Toy

Vegas, my male Alexandrine parakeet, isn't really into toys. He likes to talk, and "sing" along with girly pop songs, get spray bottle showers, and beg for any food we may have handy. But his toys tend to not be a big focus. I saw this, and thought- well, it's different. And well reviewed. Let's check it out!I was...well, underwhelmed when this toy showed up. It looks incredibly boring, especially compared to most bird toys, which have texture and color galore. The quality also didn't look to be the best: you can see tiny stress cracks where the plastic was drilled for the kabob part to pierce through the toy. Also by the looks of it, we got one that had been repackaged and returned. I took it apart and examined it, and assessed that it was safe (for a bird of Vegas's size- I would think twice before giving it to a Big Guy) and reasonably simple looking. I did reverse the toy so it looked like the picture, with the holes at the bottom of the ball. Huh. But then I thought- "Well, I am not a bird." Vegas has tons of colorful toys that he ignores. Maybe he is some kind of avian purist.So before I left for work today, I skewered a baby carrot and a lime wedge on the upper kabob part, and put a bunch of raw nuts inside the ball. Then I hung it over the food bowl.Before I left, he chomped off most of the carrot, and was hanging upside down, examining his new toy with interest, but not doing much about it.However, he must have gotten brave while I was gone. I came home to find him perched on the side of his cage, with the narrow part of the toy clutched possessively in one foot. The carrot is entirely gone, and the lime wedge looks like it exploded- it's smeared attractively all over the outside of the ball. The nuts inside the ball have definitely been gnawed at. But the most telling thing is that my husband asked, "Why is the bird talking and singing so much today?" Every time I check, he is crooning and yodeling to his new "buddy".Update: a week in, the bell has been forcibly removed, but Vegas is still pretty obsessed with his toy. He watches me and trills and asks "Whatcha Doin'?" over and over when he sees me adding new treats, and is very thrilled and curious about what's "new today" when I put the loaded toy back into his bachelor pad. Using the top as a kabob works well, and I like to put green spinach or something leafy in the ball, to block the holes and then "hide" a few almonds in the top, where they can be seen, but not immediately removed. He will try to "taste" them through the clear top, and then gets to work. It's definitely a hit. I am contemplating buying a backup for when this bites the dust (and I will update this review with the lifespan of the item when that happens).Hopefully he will enjoy this one for awhile. We give it two wings up.Update: 10/17/2012: This toy is still going strong through a lot of wear and tear. This is the best bird-related purchase I have ever made. Vegas is still enamored- we call it his "girlfriend".

Thank You: I LOVE IT. LOVE IT. LOVE IT. LOVE IT. This is the first toy "foraging sphere" that I've seen that is made for a bird larger than a parakeet. If you have a large bird, Get the toy! Your bird will love it! I gave this to "Shelby" (Large Cockatoo)about three months ago. While this "sphere" has taken a beating from my feathered friend, it is tough enough. Its hanging on, only missing the little parakeet bell and the tiny wooden-deco blocks. My bird figured out how to open this within 15 minutes, he stole the goodies and tossed the dis-assembled parts to the floor but, it was kinda my fault(I will explain.)***I have learned a "thing-or-two" since day one. Don't underestimate your birds curiosity or intelligence or you'll spend time re-assembling this thing.***I learned to tighten-up the eye-hook at the post by screwing it together. tightly (by hand) or your bird will probably unscrew it like mine did.*** I've learned to place it in a "Challenging" location for him to reach. Now: it hangs upside down from his tree limb(he has to stand on his head, while hanging upside down to access the ball, but it is very fun to watch)I no longer hang it above his perch or directly above anything inside his cage anymore because he can reach it to easily.*** I have learned that bird seed will only fall through the foraging holes, onto the cage floor. So, try using whole crackers, Cheetos Peanuts or some other larger food that cant be manipulated through the holes easily, the foraging holes are over 1/2 inch wide an about 1 inch tall(vertically.) Get creative.*** This toy probably won't stay shinny and new looking (not if you have a big bird, that loves it.)But it is built Strong and the parts that are essential, have resisted my large bird's constant attempts to destroy it.This toy's strong enough for a big bird(except for the little bell & deco-wood things)It will last.***I've gone through so many bird toys. I quit buying them, They were too expensive, only to break the same-day (if I was lucky and Shelby didn't hate the toy all together.)*** Do you have a big smart bird? If so than "Quit buying parakeet toys an get this!"This is an inexpensive and durable toy, made for a big bird!After three months, my bird hasn't been able to shred it. This is the longest lasting toy yet. Best of all, He loves it and I have loved watching him try his best everyday!!! Most toys aren't made for "big birds" this one is!

My grey loved this toy, but not because it had treats in it, but because the connector for the rod that attaches to the cage or ring or whatever you're going to attach it to is right in the middle of the rod (instead of inside the sphere where it should be). This allows my bird to turn it, disconnect it and play with the bell while the sphere immediately comes apart once the rod connector is disconnected. The maker, Creative Foraging, really flubbed this one. Birds have the intelligence of a five year old and figuring out how to turn the screw wasn't a challenge.The other problem with this is the holes in the bottom where the treats come out are huge! I have no idea what Creative Foraging thinks you can put in this sphere that won't all come right out before you can even put the sphere back together, but I haven't found it yet.I don't know what the orange things in the picture shown at the top of the sphere are, but they don't come with the sphere. If they did, (a) you wouldn't be able to reconnect the toy to the rod with the ring end that connects it to anything because it would be under the orange things and (b) it only solves the easy disconnection by the bird, you still have way too big holes for any 'treat' you put in it.

This was bought to engage my African grey, and proved to be a challenge for her but once she got her head around it she absolutely loves the toy and the bell appears to be used by her to let us know it needs a refill.

Slits too small lost interest after a few days pulled apart few days later. Max is the ''DESTROYER'' so maybe not manufacturers fault.

Does exactly what it says and my parrot loved it! She played with it straight away, its sturdy and strong :-)

parrot loves this

Our African Grey Bob loves this foraging sphere. Highly recommended will keep your Grey amused for hours. What else can I say get it....;)