If you've just acquired a bird or are in the planning stages of getting one, there are several things you'll want to take care of in order to ensure that the bird is healthy and comfortable in its new home. Of course this means having an appropriate cage and the right food and water. However, sometimes overlooked in the process is the importance of bird perches, which can be do a lot for a bird's happiness if well chosen, but can also be damaging to a bird's health if not.
Although bird perches may seem insignificant, they can actually make a great difference in the comfort level of your bird. Birds spend the vast majority of their time standing on their feet, and comfortable perches allow birds to stand securely and happily. Unfortunately, it is frequently the case that standard perches are even, rounded wooden dowels that put pressure on the same part of the bird's feet every time, which adds up after a while, and can lead to redness or foot infection in severe cases.
Thankfully, there are a wide variety of different perches available depending on the size and type of your bird. Some of these are made out of wood and try to replicate actual branches. Indeed, some bird perches are simply small branches pared from trees outside. These kinds of perches are beneficial because they can effectively double as chew toys for birds, and they don't cost anything to replace.
Whatever material you choose, you will of course want to make sure that it is non-toxic. All cage items should be selected knowing that birds like to chew things. Therefore, items, including perches, need to be safe, and will often need to be cleaned or replaced. In the case of natural perches, this is especially easy-but most perches are inexpensive and not difficult to replace.
After you determine the type of perch you want, you'll need to consider the size of your bird and select the corresponding perch diameter. If you have a small bird such as a finch, canary or parakeet, a perch with a 3/8" to 3/4" diameter is what you'll need. For a medium-sized bird such as a Cockatiel or Senegal, a 5/8" to 1 and 1/4" diameter is appropriate. A larger bird, such as an African Grey, Amazon or macaw, will need 1" to 2" or larger in diameter.
Generally speaking you'll want to see the bird's foot wrap itself around about 2/3 of the perch. If the bird's front toes overlap, then the perch is too small. Perches should also have unequal diameter along the width, as this most mimics natural branches. This, again, keeps birds from always placing pressure on the same part of the foot.
Another common mistake people make is to install sandpaper onto standard perches with the idea that it will help keep the bird's claws trimmed. On the contrary, sandpaper actually damages the bird's feet. Instead, try one of the cement grooming perches, which aim to keep the beak and toenails of the bird from becoming overgrown.
Perch placement is also important. First and foremost, your perches need to be accessible for the bird. Perches should also be placed in proximity to food and water dishes so that the bird can easily access them. However, you shouldn't place perches directly over a food or water dish, in order to avoid contamination from the bird's droppings.
Perches should also be placed toward the middle of the cage, where the bird's tail won't touch any side of the cage. Perches can be placed anywhere throughout the cage, as long as these requirements are met.
There are a number of different kinds of perches available. The ideal perch will be easy to clean, comfortable for the bird, made out of chewable material, and be the right diameter in order to reduce foot problems. The easiest way to find out which is best for your bird might be to experiment with different styles. It can also be helpful to either ask an expert or to read up on your species of bird, specifically, to better know its potential preferences.
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 birds, please visit Bird Perches, a supplier of quality pet care products.
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