Tactile – Tactile enrichment refers to any offering that provides a variety of textures for your bird to explore. Tactile is the sense of touch. A tactile enrichment opportunity asks the bird to manipulate the item to get the full experience. The manipulation may result in destruction or it may just be a textural experience that will last through many encounters. For birds that are over preening tactile enrichment can be very helpful in lessening the behavior. Shredding, chewing and preening toys are all good examples of tactile enrichment.
Robin Shewokis
President
Robin Shewokis is the owner of The Leather Elves. Since 2000, Robin has consulted at zoos in the U.S, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Holland, and has distributed enrichments products worldwide. Robin regularly speaks at parrot clubs, providing workshops teaching ways to create a stimulating environment. She also develops new products for parrots that will stimulate naturalistic behavior. Robin has published articles on enrichment in national and international publications. She has also created two DVD's, "Enriching Your Parrot's Life", and "Get Your Bird Back". Robin is a state coordinator for the American Federation of Aviculture. She is a past president of the International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators.