In a world of pet lovers, pet accessories are becoming all the more popular. Fancy collars for dogs, scratch poles for cats, and perches for birds are becoming more diversified by the multiplicity of materials that are used to create a nearly infinite number of styles. The materials used in common bird perches will be covered in this article. The categories covered will include plastic, PVC and acrylic perches; wood dowel or milled wood perches; perches with feeding cups; perches with mirrors; nail and beak grooming perches; natural perches; calcium, mineral and edible perches; platform and shelf-type perches; flexible rope perches; and play perches.
One of the first categories is the plastics or fabricated bird perches from plastic, PVC and acrylic perches. A common theme throughout the perch materials is the place that they work. The perches come in the common wall attached hoop shape. The bird can move throughout the hoop and they usually enjoy putting their beaks on the cage wires. The plastic perches also come in the straight configuration as well as a few bend corner pieces that can be easily installed. A more fun alternative is the corkscrew variant that is see through, but has some little toys on it that a parrot would chew on.
The next form of building material is the wood dowel or milled wood perches. These perches are carved directly from wood, and depending on your bird they will probably chew on them. Chewing on softer manageable substances, such as a soft pine wood, is good for beak health. They come in a variety of types, from the single wood bar, to the giggle stix, which looks like braided wood. There are also types called the wild walk in which the wood appears to twist around several times, as well as T-shaped or more complex perches. Most all perches are bolt on, and these wood perches are no exception. Depending on the size of the perch you're looking for, there are even tree structure perches, with one tall centerpiece and several different off shooting perches of different lengths in different directions. These are best places on the bottom of a cage, so that the bird can sit at different heights.
Two common variants attach different items to the perch. One is the feeding bowl and the other is the mirror, and they provide almost opposite things to your bird. A bowl allows the bird to sit and eat at the same time. These bird perches come in a variety of different materials, but most are plastic to facilitate the easy assembly of the bowl onto the perch. Wood and coconut variants on the perch and bowl offer more natural feels to the cage; if that is the vibe you're going for. Some companies have created perch and mirror combinations, so that your bird can look at themselves.
There are several different forms of nail and beak grooming perches. The cheapest form is the concrete perch that is generally painted a vibrant color. A bird will grind his or her beak on it, as well as passively grabbing it with their feet. Depending on the price tag you're looking for upper-scale variants can be found in ground beach shell perches, or lava rock perches. To give cement and plastic grooming perches texture, the manufacturer will attach sand to the outside; this encourages the bird to grind their beak on it. The configurations of these perches are much the same as the other categories, although it is generally more difficult to find a tree-style nail and beak grooming perch.
Natural bird perches are made from trees and other substances that are woven into mesh configurations that can be cured and hardened to hold up your avian friend. These are similar to the grooming category in that birds will generally nibble on these perches. Common materials include cactus, Manzanita, natural hardwoods or twigs, bottlebrush, Ribbonwood, Dragonwood, Islandwood, Cagjeput, and grapevines. These are all naturally growing plants that are harvested and have bolts or other configurations attached to the end so that they can be secured in your bird's cage.
In line with the grooming perches, most perches can also offer some form of health benefit for your bird. Since birds are generally inclined to nibble or chew on their perches, calcium and other necessary nutrients have been infused into some synthetic wood materials that the birds chew, swallow, and absorb.
Although perches are popular, some birds enjoy platforms just as much. Wire platforms or wooden plank platforms are the most popular, although as with other natural woods, you can expect a bird to nibble away at a wooden platform. They come in shelf or corner piece configurations and are attached with bolts in much the same way as the other perches.
Lastly, there are some variations of the perches which provide play toys for the bird. For example, there are perches will movable wheels where each spoke in the wheel has a different, multi-colored toy for the bird to nibble on and observe. The color schemes are generally eclectic and random. Usually colorful rope or bells make their way onto these toys which can dangle from the top of the cage, or be attached with bolts to the side.
There are an abundance of different types of bird perches. Although there are many, the perches can usually be subdivided by what is healthy for your bird, and what entertains them. Hopefully, the information here has educated you on the options available to you and your avian friend.
Jennifer R. Scott has been writing for over ten years on a broad range of topics. She has a background that includes such diverse areas as environmentalism, cooking, animal care, and technology. If you would like more information on bird ownership, please visit bird perches, a site with everything you need for a happy bird.
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