For testing the cage it can be done several ways. For lead there are a few tests that you can basically rub the stick/paper up against the cage bars and then if it changes color lead and if not no lead (just depending on which test, the directions should say) as far as zinc I know there are certain areas where you can send off tests but many people who want to test it themselves use Muriatic acid. This can be dangerous and should only be done outside, wearing protective clothing and with cold water available. The acid is dripped onto the toy/metal and if it foams it is zinc coated. The item is then dropped directly into a bowl/bucket of cold water to clear the acid off. Some zinc can be washed off using vinegar and a scrub brush, it just depends on how much zinc was used in the coating/plating of the object.

As you get to know your bird (whether it is the amazon or another) you can see how worried or not worried you need to be on toys/cages etc. If your bird ends up being the type that goes after the wood/plastic/chewy part of a toy and leaves the metal alone there shouldn't be a problem but many love to chew/lick/examine the metal pieces and in those cases it is definitely better to be safe than sorry. The main cases where I have seen problems with zinc is when using homemade galvanized wire cages where a bird is constantly in contact with the zinc coating. I haven't personally seen zinc problems from toys but I have seen lead problems as a result of toys.

With the cage see if you can check out what brand it is and there should be several good places online to see if the cage is safe. Since the bird has already been in it a year as long as his tests come back fine from the vet I wouldn't really worry about it. If his tests come back with heavy metal problems then the cage may need to go and start over with a better definitely safe one.

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