Perches for Birds

What size should my bird’s perch be?

When a bird is not flying, it is standing. It is rare to see a bird lying down or sitting. For that reason, perches are important. Birds use perches for standing, climbing, playing, rubbing, cleaning their beaks, chewing, and entertainment.

In their natural environment, birds perch on branches of varying sizes. Perch diameter should somewhat match the bird’s foot size. The bird’s toes should wrap three-quarters of the way around the perching surface. If a perch is too big, the bird cannot grasp the perch properly and may slip or fall. If a bird is startled, they are less likely to fall from a perch they can grasp tightly.

Perches that vary in size provide more exercise opportunities and allow birds to choose what is comfortable. Birds can develop pressure sores on the undersides of their feet if their perches are all the same diameter, because they constantly put pressure on the same areas of their feet. Pressure sores, injuries from splinters, or cuts from chewed wood or plastic perches may lead to bumblefoot — a serious infection on the underside of one or both feet.

What are the best types of perches to use?

Perches provide places for birds to stand, and they are also objects to chew on. Chewing is a normal behavior that is enjoyable and beneficial for birds, especially for parrots. For this reason, bird owners should consider perches as disposable items.

Wood branches make the best perches because their varying diameters allow birds to distribute pressure on different areas of their feet. Natural manzanita wood perches are commercially available for birds. Branches from non-toxic trees found outdoors can also be used as perches (see list below). If you use a perch made from a branch, it should be washed and disinfected by heating it in an oven at 200°F (93°C) for 30 minutes, as the wood might contain microscopic fungus, bacteria, and/or insects that can harm birds. Some types of wood also contain oils that can be toxic to birds if they chew on the wood.

Providing birds with non-toxic, washed, and disinfected branches such as apple, elm, ash, maple, or willow can be both functional and attractive in cages. Wood perches may help wear birds’ nails down more effectively than perches made from softer materials.

Wood perches also provide entertainment for birds that like to chew. Be sure to replace perches that are chewed up and splintered to prevent injury to the bird’s foot. Sandpaper perch covers are not recommended, as they often cause irritation and sores to the bottom of birds’ feet and do not help keep the toenails dull as they are advertised to do.

"It is important to monitor rope perches carefully."

Rope made of hemp or untreated cotton can make a great perch. Soft, braided rope perches are a comfortable option, especially if the bird is older and has arthritic joints. Rope made of natural hemp or cotton can also provide a softer surface that is easy to grip and great for parrots to chew on. When rope perches get dirty, they can be cleaned in the washing machine or dishwasher.

It is important to monitor rope perches carefully. They can become tattered when birds chew on them, causing rope strands or fibers to get tangled around a bird’s toes or foot, leading to serious injury. The loose strands can also easily be swallowed. Remove and replace any rope perches in this condition. This fraying is a particular problem with synthetic fiber rope and nesting materials, which is why avian veterinarians do not recommend these types of rope perches.

A single ceramic, stone, or cement perch may be used along with other perches to provide a roughened, sturdy, textured surface and to help birds safely wear down their beaks and nails. However, concrete perches should not be the only perches used in cages, as they can be abrasive to the bottom of a bird’s feet, resulting in irritation and sores. If a ceramic perch is placed in front of a food bowl, typically a bird will visit it, stand on it, eat, clean its beak on it, and then leave.

Plastic perches are sturdy and easy to clean but can be slippery and provide less texture for gripping. They should not be used with large birds, though, as these birds may chew and splinter the plastic into sharp pieces. PVC pipes are stronger and are safe for some birds to chew on, but some larger birds may be able to chew them and potentially swallow the pieces. PVC perches are usually just one diameter and, as mentioned above, may cause pressure sores on the bottoms of the feet.

How often should I clean my bird’s perch?

A clean surface is essential for healthy feet, because birds constantly stand on one or more perches in their cage. Clean your bird’s perches when they are dirty, as they may get food or feces on them throughout the day. Wash and scrub perches with detergent or disinfectant and rinse them thoroughly before using them again.

What are some safe trees for perches?

A branch from one of the following trees can make a safe perch for your bird.