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Sections: • Cages • Nutrition • Pellets • Perches • Safe Plants • Toxic Plants Perches (Source Birds USA 1998/99 annual) There are several types of perches, and each bird should have more than one type in its cage. The perches should be made of different material and thickness so that the bird's feet get the proper exercise. All perches should be appropriate for the size of bird. The bird's foot should fit comfortably around a perch. A perch should not be so small that the toes wrap all the way around and touch each other, nor should it be so large that the bird's feet are flat against it. Birdcages may come with dowels made of hard wood. These come in different thickness. Now, there are alternatives. The first is using natural branches. Manzanita branches, which come with many cages, can be found at pet stores. However, any branch made of wood that is non-toxic to birds will also work. Before you go outside and start chopping down trees, be sure they have not been sprayed with any kind of toxic pesticide. The advantages of tree branches are that the branches are that the different widths are good for bird's feet. Branches can also be peeled, chewed up, and generally destroyed, which is also good for the bird. Rope perches give the bird different widths and a different feel. Make sure that you cut off any frayed pieces of rope so that the bird doesn't get its nails caught. There are special perches to trim nails. They are made of concrete, clay, and other materials. While they do a good job of trimming nails, they are not very comfortable for the bottom of the bird's feet for long periods of time. However, keeping one in a cage is a good idea, as long as the bird has other perches to sit on.