Choosing the Right Perch for Your Pet Bird
A Guide for the Selection and Placement of Perches for Parrots
Apr 17, 2009
All birds, whether captive or wild, spend much of their time standing, including the hours they sleep. While the wild bird has a wide variety of branches to choose from, the captive parrot or other bird has only the perches you provide. By giving some thought to the perches you select, and to how they are placed inside the cage, you will ultimately have a healthier and happier pet.
Most new cages come equipped with a standard wooden dowel. While there is nothing wrong with this style of perch, the dowel's uniform size, shape, and texture can cause your bird's feet to become stiff and sore unless he has other perches available. Since your bird cannot tell you when his feet hurt, it is important to take preventative measures by placing perches of different styles, sizes, and shapes in the cage.
Types of Perches:
One or more perches from a natural material are a good option, including those made from Manzanita, a hard, durable wood which is especially useful with parrots and larger birds. Plastic is a suitable option as long as your bird does not ingest it. Whether natural or artificial, at least one hard perch should be provided to allow your bird a sturdy place to sleep.
Rope perches give your bird a soft, flexible surface and are often a favorite, but must be trimmed regularly to ensure your bird's nails do not get caught in loose threads. Coarse perches made from concrete work well to trim nails, but are not very comfortable and should only be used along with other softer surfaces.
A wide range of affordable perches is available at pet shops or can be ordered online. A good list of online suppliers is available at Birds ‘n Ways or you might prefer a local shop where you can compare perches side by side.
Proper Fit for Bird:
When selecting a new perch, be sure to pay attention to the size of the perch in relation to your bird’s foot. Observe your bird on his perch. His feet should not be flat (a sign that the perch is too large) nor should his toes wrap around the perch so far that they touch or overlap (a sign that the perch is too small).
Perch Placement:Perch placement is an important consideration. Locate perches at various heights inside the cage, but do not crowd perches so that your bird cannot extend his wings. Likewise your bird’s tail should not rub against the cage sides when he is on his perch, as this is uncomfortable and will result in broken tail feathers. If unable to place three perches inside the cage and still meet these guidelines, it is time to consider a larger cage.
Perches should be placed in front of food and water bowls to permit birds to feed and drink with ease. To prevent contamination of food and water, avoid placing perches directly above food and water bowls. On a related note, it is important to wash perches regularly with vinegar and water or a cleaner specified for use with birds. Rope perches are more difficult to clean and may need to be replaced occasionally.
Choosing the right perches for your pet bird is an important task. Whether you own a canary or Macaw, offering a variety of well-placed perches will improve the overall health and wellbeing of your avian companion.
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