FAQ: Perches for birds

Many breeding birds find it helpful to have a small perch or platform at the nest box entrance from which to climb in. Perches are usually not needed inside the box, and any there must not interfere with incubation.

Bird mites can hide in perch cracks, between the perch and the bars, or in rope fibres. Cleaning perches regularly and replacing worn ones helps prevent this, and if you suspect parasites, ask a vet about suitable care.

Chewing is a natural need and a way for parrots to keep busy, so a chewed perch usually just shows an active bird. If it chews very intensely, offer more chewable toys and activities so the perches last longer.

Measure the distance between opposite inner walls where you want to fit the perch, and check the bar spacing. This helps you choose a perch of the right length and a fitting that will hold firmly.

A wooden perch can usually be sawn to the right length and the sharp edges sanded smooth. Perches with metal fittings or a wire core are best not shortened, as you may damage the fitting or leave sharp ends.

Compare similar perches by material, length and thickness, as prices can differ between shops. On zoogidas.lt you can compare prices from Lithuanian online pet shops, and the purchase itself is made on the shop’s own website.

No, zoogidas.lt sells nothing: the site only compares prices from Lithuanian online pet shops. Once you choose a perch, you buy it on the shop’s own website.

Canaries fly more than they climb, so perches at both ends of a long cage encourage them to fly its full length. If perches are crowded into the middle, there is no room left for flight.

Finches and other small songbirds like to sit on thin, densely branching twigs, where they feel safe. Still, leave free space for flying and do not put branches above the feeders.

Budgies like to climb as well as fly, so ladders, branching sticks and rope perches suit them. Combine climbing elements with straight perches the bird can fly between.

In the wild cockatiels spend a good deal of time on the ground and on thicker branches, so many of them like resting on flat surfaces. A platform perch in the cage or on a stand gives them a comfortable resting spot.

Quail are ground-dwelling birds and generally do not use perches. Soft bedding, hiding places and a sand bath matter more to them than perches high in the cage.

Rosellas, kakarikis and parrots of a similar size usually suit perches about 15–25 mm thick. These are active birds, so perches arranged to encourage movement and flight are helpful.

Watch how the bird grips its current perch: the toes should wrap most of the way around, but the nails should not meet. The safest approach is to fit several thicknesses or a natural branch and see where the bird sits most often.

Wavy or zigzag perches change the foot’s position and make the bird move and balance more. They add variety, but the bird still needs a straight, stable perch to sleep on.

Ladders are often used as climbing perches connecting different levels of the cage, especially for birds that fly little. The rungs should be a suitable thickness and spaced so that the bird’s foot or head cannot get stuck between them.

It is a perch with an attached bowl so the bird can sit comfortably while eating or drinking. It is handy on stands and outside the cage, but the bowl should be easy to remove and clean.

The perch by the dishes should be close enough for the bird to reach food and water comfortably without leaning too far or stepping into the dish. It should not be above the dishes, so droppings do not contaminate them.

Some cages have a play top with perches where the bird can sit outside the cage under supervision. If your cage lacks one, you can fix a separate perch or a small stand on top, provided it is stable.

A hanging perch or swing from the ceiling can become a favourite spot for a bird flying around the room, as long as it is securely fixed and away from ceiling fans, lights and curtains. Put something underneath to protect the floor from droppings.