Pet birds spend their entire life (except while in flight) standing on their feet, usually on a cage perch. Choosing the correct variety of cage perches is very important to ensure a parrot’s feet stay strong and healthy. There are many different types of perches on the market, in all sizes and colors. Perches are made from many different types of material as well, concrete, wood and even plastic. So how do you choose the right perch for your bird? There are several considerations to make when choosing perches for your pet bird, but most importantly are: diameter, variation and material.
Bird Perch Size
According to an article published by Drs. Foster & Smith, the correct diameter, or width, of a pet bird’s perch depends on its foot size. A bird’s feet should, ideally, wrap two-thirds of the way around a perch. If a perch is too wide the bird cannot get a good grip and could fall off. If the perch is too small a parrot could scratch or puncture itself with its claws.
Diameter Variations
It is important to offer perches that have variations in width. A perch with bends and size variations help to promote healthy legs and feet. According to ParrotsNow.com, birds that spend all of their time on dowel-type perches of the same diameter can suffer foot irritation. This irritation can manifest as cramping, sores or loss of grip strength.
Perch Material
There are many different types of natural wood, simulated wood and plastic perches on the market. Every perch manufacturer claims to be the best. Most bird experts, including Drs. Foster & Smith and ParrotNow.com, agree that natural wood is the healthiest option. Wood provides the best, most natural grip and allows a parrot to exercise its beak by chewing on the perch. The experts at Dummies.com remind parrot owners that chewing and destroying a perch is all part of healthy play for a bird.
Grooming Perches
In addition to the perches listed above, there are also many varieties of cement, mineral and sand covered perches available. These perches are marketed as an easy way to trim a bird’s claws and maintain the beak. Only place one grooming perch in a parrot’s cage, and be sure to offer the bird several other natural perches to choose from. Place the perch in front of the food dish to ensure that the bird uses it, but doesn’t sleep on it. Prolonged exposure to the rough surface of grooming perches can lead to foot sores.
The best way to ensure that a parrot’s feet stay healthy is to offer a variety of natural perches and no more than one grooming style perch. Other perching items, such as rope perches and swings should be offered in addition to and never instead of natural wood perches. Inspect a bird’s perches often and clean or replace them as necessary.
Janine Logue - Logue is a freelance writer with several years experience in the newspaper industry as both a reporter and editor.
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