FAQ: Perches for birds

Different thicknesses and surfaces let the feet change position, which is more comfortable than always gripping the same perch.

The thickness should match the bird's size. Manufacturers usually state which species a perch is made for.

Budgies usually do well on perches of roughly 10–18 mm in diameter. It is best to have several thicknesses so the toes are not always bent the same way.

Canaries and small finches usually suit perches about 8–12 mm thick. Perches that are too thick stop these small birds from getting a firm grip with their toes.

Cockatiels usually do well on perches of roughly 12–20 mm in diameter. Mixing thinner and thicker ones in the cage gives the feet varied work.

Lovebirds usually suit perches about 12–20 mm thick. They love to chew, so wooden perches in their cage wear out faster and need replacing more often.

Conures and similar-sized parrots usually suit perches of roughly 18–25 mm in diameter. Choose sturdy wood, because a strong beak quickly chews through thin perches.

African greys and Amazons usually suit perches about 25–38 mm thick. These parrots have strong feet, so perches must be firmly fixed and not wobble under the bird’s weight.

Large parrots such as macaws or the bigger cockatoos usually need perches of 38–50 mm or thicker. They should be hardwood or another very sturdy material, because these birds can splinter a thin perch within days.

The bird’s toes should wrap around roughly two-thirds to three-quarters of the perch. If the front and back nails meet or overlap, it is too thin; if the foot barely sits on top, it is too thick.

Not necessarily; in fact the opposite is better. Natural branches that are thinner in some places and thicker in others let the bird pick a comfortable spot and exercise its feet.

A perch should be long enough for the bird to sit comfortably and turn around, and in a cage with several birds long enough for all of them to fit without jostling. Measure the cage’s inside width and choose a perch that spans it or fixes firmly to one side.

Yes, pigeons and doves tend to rest on flat surfaces, so wider boards or flat perches suit them better than round rods. It matters that the foot has somewhere to rest flat.

When birds of different sizes share a cage, add perches of various thicknesses so each can find one that fits. Natural branches with thinner and thicker sections are especially practical in that case.

In an aviary, place perches at different heights and distances so the birds can fly between them. Natural branches work especially well, and perches should be fixed so they do not wobble or block flight paths.

A bird spends almost all its time, even sleep, standing on a perch, so the perch directly affects its foot health. Unsuitable perches can cause pressure sores and foot inflammation, while good ones help keep feet and nails healthy.

The common types are smooth wooden dowels, natural branches, rope, mineral or sand perches, plastic and heated perches, as well as platforms, corner perches and swings. A cage is best with a mix of several types.

Two or three different perches are usually enough in a small cage, with more in a larger one. What matters is not adding so many that the bird has no room left to move freely and spread its wings.

Yes, too many perches and toys reduce free space, so the bird can no longer hop or flap and moves less. Leave a clear area in the middle of the cage for flying or hopping between perches.

Cage kits often include smooth plastic or wooden perches of a single thickness. They are not harmful, but they keep the feet in one position all the time, so it is worth adding natural branches or perches with other textures.