Tag: perches

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Sanded Perches

Sanded perches are designed to keep your bird’s nails filed down as they walk and climb around on them. Although nails will continue to grow and need clipping, sanded perches may help extend the time between visits. Some are designed with an ergonomic shape to also exercise the foot muscles.

It helps to use an appropriate sized perch so the nails are always in contact with the perch instead of having the toes extended or over-lapping around the bottom.

Remember to have a variety of perch types in the cage (rope, natural wood, etc.) so the sanded texture is not too abrasive on the bottom of the feet. A good location is usually by a food or treat bowl that is used frequently.

Other types of sanded perches include corners, T-shapes, and swings!

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Rope Perches

Rope and sisal perches are a fun alternative to dowels and natural wood. Most are made with rope that has been braided around a central wire that allows the perch to be bent into many different shapes and spaces. This versatility makes them great when setting up a cage that has awkward empty spaces, or areas where other perches can’t fit.

***TIP: Flat or dome-top cages can also be outfitted with rope perches to create a play space on top!
Rope perches also offer a softer texture for the feet, and because they are braided, they help maintain healthy feet muscles. Many birds can also grip these materials better than hard wood, and love to cling upside down from them. They can be found in different diameters for all types of birds, as well as different lengths for a variety of uses and cage sizes.

  • Small lengths are good for corners, or upside-down U’s that birds love to snuggle into for the night.
  • Medium lengths are good for straight tightropes, or creating a low-to-high ramp. These gentle slopes can assist birds that are old, or have handicaps which don’t allow them to climb well.
  • Long lengths are good for large cages, or zig-zagging throughout the cage.

With rope perches, regularly inspect them for loose threads and sections which may unravel due to wear or chewing. These excess threads should be trimmed and discarded. Sisal is less prone to this, and is a natural material that many small birds like to preen.

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Types of Perches

Perches are a must for any bird cage, and there are a variety of types to choose from. Simple wooden dowels come with most cages, but they are not ideal if they are the only type of perch in the cage. Birds that enjoy chewing may also gnaw them in half quickly! For birds, perch variety is important, and replicates the different branches and tree limbs they climb on in the wild. Popular wood choices include manzanita and ribbonwood for their durability, and grapevine for its unique style.

Some perches, like pine dowels and some hardwood perches are made to span the full length of the cage. This generally makes for easy access to food and water. Other perches attach only at one side, encouraging climbing; it also makes it easier for you to rearrange them within the cage. It is important to offer perches of various diameters so the foot muscles can stretch and exercise while standing or climbing. Also when selecting perches, make sure to to provide perches of the appropriate size diameter for your bird’s feet. There is a lot of flexibility, but the two best guidelines are:

1. Diameter should not be so small that the bird’s toes are overlapping or crossing at the underside of the perch.
2. Diameter should not be so large that the bird slips off because it can not grip properly.

Having a variety of perch sizes and materials is a good way to provide textural enrichment for your bird, and many people also find them visually appealing.