Story Bird:  Haley

We purchased a toy at a local bird store that was highly recommended for Haley by the store owner. IT was a metal ring with frayed rope tied in knots all the way around it like a wreath. It hangs horizontally from three chains attached to a quick link. I had it in the cage for a day and Haley somehow got the three chains wrapped around her neck. She made no noise or movements so I didn't notice it at first. She would have hung herself if she let go of the cage bars. I struggled to get the toy unhooked from the cage. She did not squirm or fight me. If she did, I would not have been able to get her loose. It took me about 15 minutes to get the tangled chains open wide enough to slip her head through. I was a nervous wreck and don't know how I did it. She was so weak she couldn't even lift her head for about 20 minutes. Within about a half an hour she was back to normal. I told the store owner about this but she didn't remove the toy from her shelves. The way this toy is made, any size bird can have this happen. I was new to the world of birds then and did not know what made toys dangerous. I trusted the store owner and toy manufacturers to be concerned about the safety of our birds. I have since learned a lot about what makes toys safe and am amazed at the number of deadly toys still being made.