What Wood Is Safe for Bird Perches?

Not all woods are safe to use for bird perches.

Most birds enjoy a sturdy perch for preening, resting or gnawing. Natural perches are less expensive than fancy pet-store perches. However, not all types of wood are safe for your feathered friends.

Safe Woods

Wood from most untreated fruit trees is safe. This includes apple, crabapple, mulberry and pear trees. Other safe trees to use for bird perches are ash, aspen, cottonwood, beech, dogwood, elm, hawthorn, magnolia and poplar.

Unsafe Woods

Avoid trees in the prunus species. Wood from these trees contains cyanogenic glycosides, which release cyanide into a bird's bloodstream. Prunus varieties include apricot, cherry, peach, prune, plum and nectarine trees. Pressure-treated woods are toxic to birds. Redwood contains oils that cause rashes, and the dust from a redwood tree can cause lung and eye disorders.

Other Factors to Consider

Choose branches with leaves. Leafy branches help a bird feel secure, and the leaves give your bird a chance to satisfy its instinct to forage. Any tree, even one that is otherwise safe, that has been treated with pesticides is toxic. Avoid any treated tree. Do not use any tree you find along a railroad or highway, since these have probably been treated with herbicides.

References

• Oklahoma State University Center for Veterinary Health Sciences: Bird Care - Perch Selection
• Exotic Bird: Safe Wood for Perches