Why is Manzanita Wood Used for Bird Perches and Bird Stands? 

Avian Vets recommend that you choose a bird perch that allows your pet bird to wrap it's feet around the perch diameter without the front toes touching the back toes.

BirdSupplies.com Recommendations:

• 3/8":  diameter bird perches are suitable for parrotlet's, canaries, finches and similar sized birds
• 5/8 - 1"  bird perches are suitable Cockatiels, medium Conures, Senegal's, Sun Conures and up to African Grey Timneh's and similar sized birds
• 1" - 1 1/2" Large bird perches are suitable for African Grey Parrots and larger birds

Remember, manzanita bird perches and manzanita bird stands are made from natural branches so the diameter within a single 12" branch varies quite a bit from one end to the other end to the other.  BirdSupplies.com asks you to identify what type of parrot you are buying your bird supplies for at checkout so we contact you to make sure we ship the proper sized bird perch for your parrot.

Why is there so much emphasis on bird perches? Your parrot is constantly on it's feet.  A parrots feet need constant stimulation to stay limber, strong and healthy.  Providing your parrot with variable diameters and different bird perch surfaces allows your parrot to exercise it's foot muscles and avoid cramping and other parrot foot problems.

Manzanita branches are harvested when they are an appropriate size for the species they are being cut for.  Fresh Manzanita Perches are often slit along their length at the time they are harvested so that they expand naturally, from-the-inside-out with less splitting as the branch dries out.  When hardwood, such as manzanita, looses moisture after harvest, it naturally splits.  Splits and cracks are not a defect but a natural part of the drying process.

Keep in mind that Manzanita is a natural, cut branch and that the imperfections of this natural bird perch are what makes it an ideal perching surface for parrots.  Hardwoods that resist chewing also tend to crack more.  The trade off of purchasing hardwood bird perches and bird stands is that they actually last longer because the wood chips off in smaller pieces when your parrot chews it. We suggest that you point any Manzanita Bird Perch cracks downward to collect less soil and debris. And, that despite cracks, manzanita bird perches and bird stands last years.

Why is the bark peeling?

Manzanita branches shed their bark or "skin" for 3 or 4 days a couple of times a year. If your bark is peeling, that piece was harvest during that brief regeneration period. Your parrot will experience a ton of enjoyment as it peels away layers of natural branch bark!

What the Heck Is Manzanita, Anyway?