The Best Large Parrot Perches (2023)

For African Greys, Amazons, Small Cockatoos, Large Conures, Eclectus, Hawk-Headed Parrots, and Mini-Macaws

The right amount and variety of parrot perches is essential to your bird’s foot health and cage “furniture”.

The Best Large Parrot Perches (1)

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Providing your bird with perches of various types and diameters is absolutely essential. Your bird will spend most of his life standing, so preventing foot problems is very important. Parrot perches of different types and diameters help to exercise your bird’s feet so he won’t get tired of standing on same-sized perches of the same material. Perches will also help your bird navigate his cage and have comfortable places to sleep and spend his time.

Parrot perches come in all shapes, sizes, materials, and colors. It is important to have a variety and know what a variety looks like. There are also parrot perches that are recommended against and even poisonous, so it’s important to know what to look for.

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The Best for Your Bird

There is a recommended perch diameter for each size bird. This is so you don’t choose parrot perches that are too big or too small for your bird. It’s important to have perches that are the right size for your bird as well as perches that are a little bigger and a little smaller than the recommended size to give your bird the size variety that he needs.

Here are the recommended perch diameters for the different sizes of birds:

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Perch Diameter Recommendations
Bird SizePerch Diam.
X-Small1/2″ or less
Small1/2-5/8″
Medium3/4-1″
Large1-1.5″
X-Large2-2.5″”

What To Buy

There are a few different popular types of parrot perches on the market. However, you do not need them all and some of them aren’t good for your bird. Below is a table with the recommended quantity of the different types of perches. Keep in mind that different diameters are required too.

It is important for your bird to have:

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Perch Types
ImageQtyType (click to jump to the perches)
The Best Large Parrot Perches (3)

1

Therapeutic Perches
Therapeutic perches help trim your bird’s nails and may lead to a reduced need for nail trimmings. Try to place one as the highest perch in the cage or near your bird’s favorite food dish–this will help make sure it gets used.
The Best Large Parrot Perches (4)

1-2

Natural Wood Perches
Natural wood perches are the best perches for your bird’s cage. Not only do they offer different diameters for your bird’s feet, but they are also good for your bird to chew.
The Best Large Parrot Perches (5)

1-2

Rope Perches
Rope perches are also a great addition to a cage. They provide a different, softer surface as well as a different size for your bird’s feet.
The Best Large Parrot Perches (6)

0-1

Heated Perches
Yes, there are such things as heated perches. These perches are used to help regulate your bird’s body temperature and comfort.
The Best Large Parrot Perches (7)

0-1

Shower Perches
Shower perches can be very fun for a bird that likes to spend time with you in the shower.
The Best Large Parrot Perches (8)

0-1

Dowel Perches
Wooden dowel perches usually come with a cage and are cheap and easy to clean, but do not provide the size variety that your bird needs. It’s ok to use one as long as there are other types of perches in your bird’s cage.
The Best Large Parrot Perches (9)Not too many perches
It’s important not to overcrowd your bird’s cage with perches. He should still be able to spread his wings without hitting a perch.


We know perch hunting isn’t easy, so we’ve done the hard work for you and have found the best parrot perches on the market at the best prices and with the largest variety for each type of bird.

We Found The Best Perches

Here are the best perches we have found for your feathery friend:

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Jump to: Therapeutic | Natural Wood | Rope | Heated | Shower

Therapeutic Perches
Qty: 1
Therapeutic perches are a must-have for any bird. They trim nails, are safe for beak rubbing, and many come with varying diameters.
Large
  • Use for Large birds: African Greys, Amazons, Small Cockatoos, Eclectus, etc.
Natural Wood Perches
Qty: 1-2
Natural wood perches are required in every bird cage. They offer natural varying diameters and give the birds a perch closer to the ones available in their natural habitats. Make sure to provide your bird with at least one of these perches.
Large
  • Use for Large birds: African Greys, Amazons, Small Cockatoos, Eclectus, etc.
Rope Perches
Qty: 1-2
Rope perches are a must-have for any bird. They are soft, comfortable, durable, and most importantly, different. The various lengths available also make these perches fit any size cage and even stretch all the way across the larger ones.
Large
  • Use for Large birds: African Greys, Amazons, Small Cockatoos, Eclectus, etc.
Heated Perches
Qty: 0-1

Heated perches really are a lot of fun and many birds absolutely love them. And on top of that, heated perches protect birds from the negative effects of air conditioning and heat lamps. This perch comes in three different sizes, so it can be used with any bird.

Product Features

  • Protect exotic birds from the harmful effects of air conditioning and cold drafts
  • Made of sturdy scratch and bite resistant non-toxic plastic
  • Attaches easily to wire cages

Reviews

“I had no idea how much my conure needed one of these. I bought it and she was on it instantly. She even slept on it, and she is really picky about where she sleeps. She ALWAYS sleeps in her fuzzy tent. But she slept outside of the tent just to be on this perch. She wouldn’t just use it for fun, so I know she must have needed it. Now her little feet are always warm and she seems so content. This is an incredible product…just wonderful. I HIGHLY recommend this product.” – Steph

“Please do the right thing and buy one of these for every caged bird you keep. These have saved our bird’s life on several occasions. We have an umbrella cockatoo and he would catch at least 2 colds per year, sometimes life threatening. In the past we tried heat lamps but he accidentally got too warm/burned skin). These perches are a perfect temp for him all the time. And they seem indestructible. Now our guy never catches a cold or gets sick (have we gotten lucky?). He’s much calmer, less screaming, fidgeting, repetitive motion–stuff cockatoos do when not happy. He’s much happier. Rooms that are kept at temperatures comfortable for humans (70-74 deg f) are way too cold for many types of birds–they seem never warm enough for caged birds. Please do the right thing and use these perches.” – RBake

Medium
  • Size – 5/8″ to 11/4″ diameter x 13″ long
  • Use for Medium and Large birds: Caiques, Lorikeets, Pionus, Poicephalus, African Greys, Amazons, Small Cockatoos, Eclectus, etc.
Shower Perches
Qty: 0-1

Shower perches are great for pet birds. All parrots from the tropical rainforest spend half of their active time grooming and bathing, and the other half is spent foraging for food. Showers are an important and healthy part of their daily activities. These perches can give your bird back the thrill of the tropical rainforest in your shower.

Reviews

“I absolutely love this product (and so does my blue headed conure)! I have it attached to a sliding glass door and my parrot loves to spend part of his day sitting on this perch watching everything that is going on outside. I use the “small” size for my conure and it is very stable and has never fallen off the sliding glass door. I really love it!” – Tania Mcmanama

Large
  • Use for Medium, Large, and X-Large birds: Caiques, Lorikeets, Pionus, Poicephalus, African Greys, Amazons, Small Cockatoos, Eclectus, Large Macaws, Large Cockatoos, etc.

We hope we’ve helped you find the best parrot perches for your pet bird!

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FAQs

What type of perch is best for parrots? ›

Rope, made of hemp or untreated cotton, can make a great perch and soft, braided rope perches are a comfortable option for birds, especially if they are older and have arthritic feet. Rope made of natural hemp or cotton rope can also provide a softer surface which is easy to grip and great for parrots to chew on.

Can a perch be too big for a bird? ›

Incorrectly sized perches can be a source of pain and discomfort in a bird's legs and feet. Good foot health is promoted by having multiple perches of varying diameters available with your bird's cage. The generally accepted rule of thumb is that your bird's feet should wrap between 2/3 and 3/4 around the perch.

What wood is best for parrot perches? ›

Common bird-safe wood for perches and toys:
  • Balsa.
  • Poplar.
  • Ash.
  • Elm.
  • Maple.
  • Birch.
  • Dragonwood.
  • Manzanita.
Jun 25, 2019

What perches are best for African Greys? ›

Natural branches are especially good, as are textured perches, such as concrete or sandy perches (watch for foot irritation). Keep in mind that smooth-barked perches, such as manzanita, add to the slipperiness of the perch and the grey could fall.

What color do perch like best? ›

Lure color is also an important consideration. Perch typically respond well to bright colors like white and chartreuse, but they may also bite more natural brown and green tones that imitate crayfish and other prey.

Is there a difference between perch and jumbo perch? ›

The ones that are 9" long and about as round as a cigar are just perch. Some people go by length... over 12" is a jumbo.

How big should a parrots perch be? ›

In fact, there should be a little space between the toes when the parrot is perched comfortable. Preening: It is important to also provide perches which are slightly smaller and larger than the ideal Roosting Perch.
...
Perch Size Guide.
Bird TypesBird SizePerch Diameters
Large Cockatoos, Macaws and similar sized birdsx-Large4cm to 7cm
3 more rows

What is the lifespan of a perch? ›

Life cycle: With a short life span, lasting about seven years, yellow perch reach maturity and begin reproducing at age 2 or 3. Yellow perch spawn early in the spring shortly after the ice goes out. Spawning lasts approximately from April to early May, when the water temperature ranges between 44 and 52 ºF.

Can you put tree branches in a parrot cage? ›

Picking the right branches:

As birds love to chew, the foliage of a bird safe tree can keep them stripping bark and leaves for hours and it provides lots of nifty hiding places to create a foraging adventure. Foliage also gives your bird an area to retreat to for privacy.

How long should a bird perch be? ›

An appropriate perch must be at least as long as the full wingspan of the bird. This way, the bird will be able to comfortably flap its wings without striking the cage bars and risking injury. Think of how uncomfortable you would be if you could never stand fully upright.

What branches are good for parrots? ›

Non-toxic Branches For Parrots
  • Apple tree wood. Apple wood can be made into many different shapes and has the strong texture Parrots love.
  • Bamboo wood. It's water resistant, strong (great for keeping your Parrot's beak trim) and it's a renewable resource too.
  • Cork wood. ...
  • Elm wood. ...
  • Fir wood. ...
  • Grape tree wood. ...
  • Manzanita. ...
  • Pine wood.
Dec 15, 2017

Are African Greys medium or large? ›

The African grey parrot's ability to talk and mimic sounds makes this medium-sized parrot a captivating companion.

How long should an African Grey be out of its cage? ›

The 2-3 Hour Rule

A good rule of thumb to follow, however, is to take small parrots out of their cage for 2 hours a day and large parrots for 3 hours. This should be more than enough time for them to get some exercise, experience the surrounding environment, taking in all the sights, sounds and smells.

What is the best scent for perch? ›

Use pieces of bacon raw for best results, as the oily scent it sends out will get the sleepiest perch up and at 'em. It also will stay put on your hook longer.

What time of day are perch most active? ›

Perch fishing is usually best in the early morning or evening hours during late spring and early summer and late afternoon or evening in late summer. In autumn, both morning and late afternoon-evening provide excellent fishing. In the natural lakes, the best fishing is usually from late summer until late fall.

What is perch favorite food? ›

Zooplankton is the primary food source for young and larval perch. By age one, they shift to macroinvertebrates, such as midges and mosquitos. Large adult perch feed on invertebrates, fish eggs, crayfish, mysid shrimp, and juvenile fish.

What is the biggest type of perch? ›

Nile perch can grow to 2 m (6 ft 7 in) and 200 kg (440 lb).

Why is the white perch a problem? ›

White perch infestations cause recreational, economic and ecological damage—changing how residents and visitors use and enjoy Minnesota waters. Compete with native fish species and prey on native fish eggs. Compete for zooplankton which may lead to algal blooms.

Are flat perches good for parrots? ›

Flat bird perches are as crucial as any other bird accessory. They are great for bird's feet and provide a platform to serve as a place to offer treats, food, and toys.

Are calcium perches good for parrots? ›

This 12” Calcium Perch from Bird Life by Penn-Plax is an ideal perch for small and medium parrots and other large species of bird.

Are sand perches good for parrots? ›

Sand perches are generally considered a no-no for birds because the tough, scratchy surfaces of these little pews can cause serious harm to your bird's feet.

What is a perch for a parrot called? ›

These act as "pedi-perches" for the parrots' feet. Birds in the wild don't need to install manufactured pedi-perches - and you will indeed find these items in the pet store - as the rock, bark and wood perches and ledges provided by nature do the job.

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