Bird Safe Wood - Choosing Wood for Perches & Toys - The Beak Blog l The Parrot Shop

Posted by The Beak Blog on 12/29/2020 to

As a bird owner, there are many considerations when it comes to setting up your birds environment. Choosing the appropriate wood for toys and perches is essential as some wood is actually not safe for parrots.

Parrots love chewing on different types of woods. Each wood has a different hardness level and some are softer than others depending on the size of bird you have. Some birds will get discouraged if the wood is too hard for their beaks. This is what you don't want to happen.

Soft woods such as balsa, yucca and cork bark are great for the smaller smaller beaks. It is also great for birds who you are trying to learn how to chew. It is quite soft and it is easier and more fun for them to destroy. Keep the broom handy if you are using this type of wood.

Harder woods such as manzanita and apple are great for birds who are more advanced with their chewing. African greys, macaws and similar sized birds love chewing on harder woods as it is great for beak maintenance. Small to medium sized birds do well with pine. You can increase the chewing difficulty by choosing woods that are thicker.

If you are making your own bird toys, remember that NOT ALL WOODS ARE BIRD SAFE.

HOW HARD IS OUR WOOD?

In terms of the density of each of the woods, we have broken it down below for our most popular parrot safe woods.

*Please note that this is not a complete list but we will be keeping this updated*

UNSAFE WOOD

Not all wood is safe for birds. Some woods are very toxic to birds. Stay safe and choose woods from this list, especially if you want to make your own perches.

NOT SAFE WOODS

- Cedar

- Plywood

- Red Cherry

- Oak

HOW TO MAKE PARROT PERCHES

STEP 1: First boil your wood to remove any unwanted pests. Cleaning your wood is super important

STEP 2: Then bake your wood in a 200 degree oven for a few hours. This will dry your wood to ensure there is no mold or bacteria

STEP 3: You will need 2 washers, 1 wingnut and 1 hanger bolt. Please ensure they are stainless steel. The Parrot Shop carries the hardware needed to make your own perches

STEP 4: Using your drill, you will need to pre-drill a hole before you insert the hanger bolt. This ensures your wood does not split. You will want to make sure your drill bit is smaller than 1/4"

STEP 5: Now you can insert the hanger bolt and drill into the wood. Once the hanger bolt is secured you can attach your washers and wing nut

STEP 6: Add the new perch into your parrots environment and admire your handy work!

Let us know in the comments below which wood your parrot prefers!

2 Comments

Barbara Miller

Date 12/29/2020

Sounds great! Maybe I can get my tenant to do it for me. LOL

Robin

Date 2/8/2024

I made this & it is awesome ,my Macaw (Rico) just loves it.He is always playing with it. Ty for this idea.We love ?? it.

The Parrot Shop

Date 4/17/2024 8:15:39 AM

So happy to hear it worked out :)

Constance Maslow

Date 3/26/2024

I have a Grey and for 16yrs I had only the ruff coral/cement ? I am bad and didn't do reading like I should have but it is what a lot of bird owners do...then I met a wonderful woman who rescues "birds " she has literally turned her house over to them. I now have a re-homer that I know will find a wonderful person for Piewacket when I die which is such a relief I am sure you understand that and happy. Actually, I don't think they will re-home her she is just to special .:) and they adore her. Pie is always welcomed for a sleep over :) So, to the point I also recently have gotten poles from Homedepot different seizes which I have now learnt is so important for pie to have that difference so, she will be excreting her foot adjustment etc. BUT because I like to cut the poles to special lengths/angles I could find a site to get a safer wood to work with. I do not have a whole lot of money but when it comes to Pie she is spoiled rotten !:) I don't think I like the tree like shapes one see's inabudance on site because the more I learn the sliding on her perch is not good because will be holding to tight than she should ? So, Guess some feed back about were to look for the right material. Also any other wonderful info is great ! Pie's saying "Mommy don't see squirrel? " :)

Date 4/17/2024 8:18:03 AM

It is definitely important to have a variety of perches. Natural wood is always best, the dowel rods you find at home depot can cause sores if that is the only type of material being used. You might be better off collecting some thick bird safe wood branches and cleaning them up. Hope this helps :)

Bird Safe Wood - Choosing Wood for Perches & Toys

2 Comments

Barbara Miller

Robin

The Parrot Shop

Constance Maslow

The Parrot Shop

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