What Type of Perch Is Best for Parrots?

Perching for parrots, whether inside a cage or in your home, is vital to their health and well-being. You can find many different types of perches. Offering your bird different types, sizes and texture of perches is important for the health of their feet. Thinking about their natural history can clue you in to this. Branches on trees are different. Give your bird a break and try to match their natural perches in your home.

  1. Natural Perches

    • A special wood goes into making natural perches. The wood is parrot safe and free of insecticides and herbicides. Natural wood branches provide complexity in dimension and terrain. Having complex wood perches with bends and knots are key to you parrot maintaining good foot health. Cholla cactus and Manzanita branch perches are most common. These perches are often the most economical, and they can double as chew toys. As with your care of any perch, clean with water on a regular basis and keep them dry.

    Rope Perches

    • You can buy rope perches at stores. Crafters make these of thick wire with rope wrapped around them. The rope attaches to your cage with a washer and a wing nut. The flexible wire inside allows you to change the shape of the rope while providing stable perching. Ropes can be either natural or synthetic. Natural ropes are made out of sisal rope, a parrot-safe, natural fiber. Synthetic ropes are made out of cotton. Since parrots love to chew, monitor ropes for frays that can snag feet or be ingested.

    PVC Perches

    • PVC perches are easy to clean and hygienic. But because they are smooth, they lack the complexity good for a bird's feet. Wrapping sisal rope around the perch will add some complexity and grip. Without a wrap, these perches can be slippery. Also, some birds can easily destroy PVC perches. If you choose a PVC perch, provide another type of perching .

    Sand Perches

    • Sand perches are cement perches covered in a substrate. Substrates can include sand, cuttlebone, calcium or minerals. Bird owners like to use sand perches because they can aid in beak and nail maintenance. The rough texture files down nails and beaks as the birds use them . Also, these perches provide excellent traction. There are also sand perches for in the shower, which suction cup to the wall. Sand perches can cause foot irritation if they are the only perching type offered to your bird.