Best Bird Perches

Which of all the bird perches available do you use?! Here is some info to help you keep them happy. Of course, you don't want your feathered friends to spend all their time in their cages (or on your hand!)

Why are Perches one of the most important considerations for your Bird? They spend almost all their time on their feet! Perches will help greatly to keep your Pet Bird's nails and feet heathy!

Offer Variety in Bird Perches...

Variety is important, as is size. Offering a variety of sizes and types of bird perches will allow your pet to exercise, to trim their nails and beak, (and to find the size that is most comfortable for them.) And, different size bird perches can prevent problems with the feet - by helping to prevent uneven wear on the foot.

Many of the "dowel" perches that can be found by the hundreds in pet stores (or come "standard" with some cages,) are probably not the best choice. Natural branches like Manzanita, or manufactured ones that are not completely round and symetrical are a very good choice. In their natural habitat, birds perch on tree branches. Try to simulate their natural environment.

The Right Size of Bird Perches...

There are some "guidelines" for the right size of bird perches, suited to the size of your bird. (You should be building your library of good Bird Books, so check in one of those. All the better ones that we've seen deal with perch size.)

You can start with your finger. How comfortable is your Pet Bird on your hand? Does he need something more like the size of your wrist? (Probably, for a Macaw.)

Our Amazon and Sun Conures are both quite comfortable on our fingers. But note how Your bird wraps its feet around the finger. You can get a good sense if they would *generally* need a larger (or smaller) perch.

Our Amazon holds on tightly, but his nails almost touch each other underneath the finger. While holding him, that's fine. But for a better grip especially in the cage, a diameter of about two fingers would be much more suitable.

Again, a variety in sizes is good for your Bird. Smaller bird perches will allow a better grip for your bird to exercise their wings. A larger perch will let the nails be more extended, open over the side, to help with keeping nails trimmed, especially if the perch is a bit abrasive. Many perches are made just for this.

We will be offering "Reviews" of various bird perches in these pages too. Keep checking back with us. OR, be sure to sign up for our Free Parrots Newsletter too. (See the Subscribe Box on the Left side of this page.)

Variety in Materials of Perches...

Use Bird Perches made of different materials as well.

One of our Favorite materials for Bird Perches is Manzanita wood. There is a large variety of sizes and shapes available. And, they simulate the natural perches found in the wild.

For more info, see Why Manzanita?

But, again variety is important. And there are some great choices - Natural and manufactured. Look around your favorite bird supply store, ask questions from the owners.

For this too, we will be offering suggestions and "reviews" of various perches, as parrotsnow continues to grow.

Make them comfortable... and give them something to play on. A Safe, Strong Manzanita wood perch! They're also easy to clean!
Why Manzanita for Your Bird Perches? Click here for Info.

Make Your Own Bird Perches...

Use natural wood branches you may already have in your own back yard!

Citrus wood is great. This is a softer wood than manzanita, and can help your bird with their "destructive" desires. They may need to be replaced from time to time of course.

I have heard that fruit tree branches make good bird perches, BUT, I have also heard that Apple and some other fruit bearing trees can be toxic at certain times of the year. Do make sure that whatever wood you use has NOT been sprayed with any kind of pesticides or other chemicals!

Clean them before letting your bird use them!

Be sure to scrub them well with Hot water. You can even put them in the oven at the lowest setting, for about a half hour, to make sure any insects have been completely removed. (Just be sure to supervise carefully as your wood is in the oven!)