Importance of Perches for Parrots

Natural wood is the best material to use since parrots would normally be perching on in the wild. You can buy natural wooden perches in the pet shop, get safe wood material from your backyard or shop from a safe online parrot store. I prefer getting natural branches from my backyard and online. If you plan on getting wood from your backyard or forest, make sure it's from a safe tree suitable for parrots. You should also clean the wood very thoroughly by soaking it for an hour or two, then put it in the freezer for 48 hours. You can also use an oven and put it at 200 degrees for 45 minutes to kill any insects. I know some people use chlorine bleach, but I stray away from using harsh chemicals. Ensure that the natural wood perches are not sprayed with dangerous chemicals since parrots like to chew on their perches. Treated wood can pose a health threat to them. You can learn more about safe, natural wood by clicking here.

I have pedi-perches, but they are attached at the bottom of the cage, so my birds aren't standing on them all the time. If you use a pedicure perch, there are really well brands out there that you can try. If you plan on getting pumice perch, make sure that the pumice crumbs are at the lower half. If you compare the feel of a pediatric perch or calcium compared to sandpaper, they are nothing near the same. Please stay away from sandpaper as they are really rough for your bird's feet. The only precaution that I use is not to place it somewhere that the bird uses to sleep on. Pedicure perches wear down your bird's nails in a gentle way. Natural perches do a great job maintaining my parrot's nail for the time being.

Rope perches are very popular among many bird owners, and I also happen to use them. My birds really enjoy using rope perches. Along with providing a different surface, rope material also gives the bird a different-sized perch to stand on. Most rope materials feature a sisal or cotton construction twisted together as tightly as possible to keep the bird's feet from snagging. They can be bent to create loops and curves and be placed anywhere inside your cage. Make sure your birds are not chewing on the rope perch as it can fray and be swallowed. This can result in clogged crops which will need surgery to fix. Also, keep an eye out for loose threads as some smaller parrots can get their toes stuck. If you have your bird chewing and tugging on it, you must have it removed immediately.

I know many parrots that really like using their flat perches to sleep on at night or take naps on them. At first, my birds seemed a bit confused with this type of perch and how to use it, but after few days, they got used to it very quickly. I do think that having one flat perch inside your cage can be really beneficial. My birds also really like using their flat perches when they like cleaning their toes. It is a good way for them to balance and not be wobbly. Having flat perches would be really beneficial for those birds with disabilities, but any bird can enjoy such perches. Finding flat perches in pet shops can be a lot more difficult than the perches mentioned before. There are many flat perches that you can find on Amazon and other safe parrot stores for an excellent deal! Flat perches will last you a LONG time. They can also come in different shapes and sizes!

Many pet shops sell sand and concrete perches and claim that they will help keep your bird's nails neat and short so that you can avoid having to endure a nail trim. While that might sound like a pleasant idea, the rough, scratchy surfaces of those perches can do real damage to your feathered friend's feet. The wrong perch not only causes birds discomfort, but it can negatively affect their health. Owners have to consider the size, material and placement of each perch. Perches made of sandpaper should NEVER be used. The material is too abrasive for your bird's feet and can cause bumblefoot, which can be caused by painful abrasions on the underside of your bird's feet and toes. Make sure that your parrots do not chew and ingest any perch material. You should also avoid plastic perches. It's not natural, and your smaller birds can chew the plastic. All in all, it's just not a good perch to be using inside your cage. As far as perches go, the best thing you can do for your bird is skipping the concrete and sand and opt for a natural wood perch as they are really the best for your bird's feet and toes.