Parrot Stand

Before you go out and purchase your parrot stand, you need to consider the ideal size of the perches for your parrot.  Yes, size does matter for your parrot.  The standard guide for small birds like love birds, canaries, budgies, even finches, would be  3/8″ in diameter. For the medium-sized birds such as African Greys, senegals, cockatiels, or medium-sized conures, you would need perches that are from 5/8″ to 1″. For Macaws, you need ones that are 1″ to a ½” in diameter. The size of a perch is extremely important because unlike other animals, perching is what birds do their in entire life.

Material is another matter to consider about.  There are 3 main materials for perches in a parrot stand – metal, Java wood or Manzanita wood. Each has its own advantages.  I especially would recommend Java or Manzanita wood because having a natural perch is good for the parrot as their feet are contoured for perching on wood.  Your parrot would also like to chew on the bark of the wood just like they do in the wild.  They obviously can’t do that if the perch is made of metal.  If you are concerned about longevity of the perch, well Java and Manzanita wood are really hard wood that last for years that won’t be easily broken.

 The size of your parrot will determine whether you would need a table model parrot stand or a floor model.  When purchasing the floor model, consider if it would be practical to have rollers on the base of the parrot stand, especially if you need to move the parrot stand frequently.  If you travel with your bird you may want to consider foldable parrot stands.  Whatever your choice, there is a wide variety of parrot stands to choose from.

There are few pets with as much personality as parrots. These intelligent, affectionate birds provide tons of entertainment and make devoted companions. Give back to your feathered friend by providing a custom made parrot stand for him or her to play on or perch on while eating. Here is a simple, affordable stand that costs less than ten dollars to make and can be assembled in minutes.

• Attach the threaded base footing to the piece of plywood. The type of wood selected does not matter, but the heavier it is the more stable the perch will be.
• Screw the three foot pipe into the base. This will be the foundation of the parrot stand.
• Connect the tip of the pipe to the metal lined T fitting. This tip will hold the parrot stand solidly in place so it does not wobble.
• Thread the wooden dowel through the T fitting. The dowel will be the actual stand for the parrot.

Tips & Warnings

•  Dangle toys and treats from the stand to provide additional exercise and fun for your parrot.
•  The actual perch where the bird will stand should always be made of wood. PVC pipe can be toxic, particularly if the bird chews on it. 

By Ispas Marin  

The cage is your beloved parrot’s home. Any living being should have good home so you have to be sure that you can provide your parrot with the best conditions. Also if you choose the parrot cage wisely than you will avoid some parrot care problems that can appear in the future.

A parrot stand is essential if you have a parrot.  It is difficult for the parrot to stretch its wings, exercise and play. The stand gives freedom which is very important for their overall health.

The lack of a parrot stand and the sense of openness often result in your parrot plucking its wings and screeching, which are symptoms of stress and boredom.  Often, allowing a parrot to have playtime on a parrot stand solves 50% of a parrot’s behavioral problems.  A parrot stand is a playground that your parrot will look forward to each day, so you should have one.

There are plastic, wooden, and metallic parrot stands. Before you buy, consider the size of your parrot and its temperament.  A parrot stand basically has a single perch or many perches, gym style or something that mimics its natural habitat with real tree branches.

A lot of questions I received is whether an open-top bird cage is enough for a parrot to play on.  My advise has always been to separate the cage and the play area.  This prevents your parrot from getting bored being at the same place all the time.  It makes a lot of difference to a parrot separating the 2 areas.

Hi, its me again.  I recently visited a pet store and they have all kinds of parrot stands at a discount on display – Manzanitas, Java trees and those made of steel.  Sometimes the suppliers are desperate to offload excess stock from the warehouse and it is during these times that we can really find good bargains.  This usually happens around the holiday season so if you intend to get a parrot stand for yourself or as a gift to your loved ones, this is the time.

There is also a good array of parrot cages, and I must say they are really tempting.  But really, how many parrot cages can you own?  Again, it will make a perfect gift if you have someone who is considering getting a parrot as a pet.

Someone asked me how long can a parrot stand last? Well it depends on the type of parrot that you own really.  Some parrots are really destructive and if you see serious cracks on the branches, than that is a sign.  On average I keep my parrot stand 5 years before getting a new one because my Macaws are really active and they chew a lot.

If you have smaller parrots, like Cockatiels, you might want to make your own parrot stand.  I had fun making one using dead branches from my backyard.  Since no two parrot stands can look alike, I made a second one and placed different sets of toys so the Cockatiels won’t be bored playing on the same branches and toys.

Manzanita Play Stand

Manzanita is a hardwood tree with uniquely shaped branches that is commonly used to make parrot play stands. My Manzanita parrot playstand provides naturally shaped branches for my Macaws to perch and climb on.   They love to chew the wood as they perch on it, sometimes upside down.  I also hang parrot toys to stimulate them and keep them busy.

Firmer Grip

I noticed that the Macaws have a firmer grip on the branches of the Manzanita playstand because parrot feet are textured and contoured to perch on real tree branches, and it is actually healthier for them too. 

The bark of the branches of the playstand is partially removed so that the birds will not skid while climbing on it. The branches may appear cracked when you purchased it but don’t worry, this is actually normal.  This usually happens during the drying process but they will not break.  Because Manzanita playstands are naturally shaped from real trees,  they look stunning in the house.

Look For Quality

These parrot stands come in a range of sizes for the small budgies right up to the giant Macaws.  Be sure to ask where they are manufactured at so as to have an idea of their quality.  I have seen some parrot stands made from other types of trees that are not of hardwood, and they don’t last very long, or easily infested with ants that build colonies in their branches.  Place your hands on each end of the branches and shake the stand to see if it wobbles.  The parrot stand should stand firmly.  I recommend those that come with castors as they can be easily moved from one location to another.  In the earlier days I had one without wheels and moving it became quite a challenge.

Manzanita or Metallic ?

But this is just my view about Manzanita parrot playstands.  Metallic parrot stands are equally effective to meet your parrots’ needs and one advantage they have is that they are easier to clean and repair, if broken.  My only advice is for you to purchase from reputable stores that specializes only in bird products.  Some stores that provide all pet products under one roof in my experience only carry a limited range of parrot stands.

As a parrot owner, I find that a parrot stand is an important item to have.  Most first time parrot owners think that they can just do with a cage with a playtop.  But I totally disagree.  A parrot stand is a playground for the parrot, a place to be outside of the cage. 

 Whenever I bring my own parrots out of their cages and onto the parrot stand, they flap their wings with joy and I can see the excitement in their behavior.  A parrot stand is a de-stresser.  Parrots are actually stressed living in their cages, and they need a place without bars to perch on much of the day.  I also hang parrot toys on the parrot stand for that added stimulation and my parrots love it very much.  So, if you want your  parrots to be happy, healthy and stress-free,  having a parrot stand is  essential.