Unusual perches

[monotwine]

I was browsing looking for something altogether different, but came across these. Ok the parrot keepers seem to use it for showers, but don't think finches would appreciate it. However, for those of you with bird rooms and windows. Would this sort of contraption not make a nice sunning spot?

http://www.getbirdstuff.com/getbirdstuf ... f69-c.html

Looks easy enough to make yourself and would have to be tiny for little finches.

[MiaCarter]

Ooh, that would be really good for a window!

Shower perches kind of creep me out.
There's something super creepy about showering with your parrot. LOL

But not judging or anything.

[lovezebs]

MiaCarter
-I agree, that having a shower with the birds is a little above and beyond
-My lovebirds, used to enjoy having a shower in the washroom sink, in a little trickle of water. It was hilarious to watch.
-As to this perch, does it fold up when your done with it?

[monotwine]

looks like you can take it off with the suckers that adhere to smooth surface.
Funny Id not thought people would shower with their birds- do they? I assumed they left shower on for bird to bathe. lol

[MiaCarter]

monotwine -- I bet there's someone out there who showers with their bird. No doubt! I can envision the type of person.....one of those lonely crazy bird ladies who rarely spends a minute without a parrot on her shoulder.

Not sure how that would work, though. I'd be afraid to get soap on birdie.
And there's something super creepy about the thought of being undressed in front of pets.

If I had showering birds, the economical part of me would be tempted to perhaps wash a dog in the tub, while birdie enjoys the shower. That would work, I think.

I think I'd have to do something like that or I'd go nuts after a minute or so with all that wasted water! Agh. The mere thought of all that wasted water is getting me anxious. I don't like waste.

"Okay, you're done bird. A 1-minute shower's all you get!"

Better yet, we get daily afternoon showers here in Florida. Stick 'em outdoors for a bit for real rain!

I do like the window idea, though. We have cat perch/shelf thingies on the windows; it would be cool to have bird window perches.

You know what would also be cool for your birds?
Perhaps a cage or small aviary that connects to this (except no cat and glass instead of screen):

[monotwine]

I'm sure all the finchaholics on here would love to have a window dedicated to our birds outdoor playpen! We'd probably be tempted to make it bigger all the time too. Heck I'd be all fine for an outdoor aviary extension and using the window as a seasonal access. I think some have actually done that in the past.

I'm just so glad my birds can happily live outdoors. I have one sick & moulting canary in my spare bedroom and the feathers and seed are already driving me nuts.

[Colt]

Well I'm not a crazy bird lady...

But I can say that Atara, my Jenday conure absolutely loved taking showers with me. She sat on the perch up about shoulder level close to the end of the tub (away from the shower head). When I was done showering she'd step up and bathe in the water spraying off my shoulders or in my cupped hands. She'd absolutely soak herself. It was her absolute favorite think to do. Then she'd sit on her perch while I dried off and go back to her cage to preen while I got ready.

Her original parents started the habit of showering with her, and after seeing how much she loved it I just kept up the habit. It is nice that the water just washed any poop away. And it's a great way to keep their feathers in good condition and help with molts.

As to the question about the perch itself, I never took mine down. The actual perch part swiveled in a PVC setting that allowed it to lie flush against the wall.

[Sheather]

My finches just sit on the potted plants and large assortment of branches mounted on the windowsill in my bird room ;)

[lovezebs]

Speaking of perches...
After we had that crazy snow storm in the begining of the month, (thousands of broken or partially broken trees) I've been collecting all sorts of perch materials and saving them for the future. Everytime I go anywhere, I come back with several branches of different lengths and sizes.
The other morning, coming back from my morning dog walk with my latest collection, I saw one of my neighbours eyeing me rather strangely. I offered my cheeriest 'goodmorning' and she responded with a somewhat puzzled look. Then she blurted out... "Fire wood? For the fire place???" I don't have a fire place, and she knows that...LOL!!!

Most of my neighbours are starting to wonder about my sanity, as I return home with... New shoes? New clothes? A new purse? Not I. I come home with handsfull of weeds, wwild grasses, seed heads, pilfered crab apples, a few dead bugs...
Honestly I don't know what their problem is. Sheesh!

[monotwine]

lovezebs we know the feeling. I must be the only gardener that looks at dead branches or trees and shrubs going - goody, perhaps that will make good perching, instead of lamenting the loss of the plant.

[MiaCarter]

lovezebs -- You made me laugh with the above.

Also speaking of cool perches, I recently discovered heated perches!

**Such** a good idea for birds who are recovering from a foot injury, especially fractures.
Anyone who's had a mended fracture knows how much it can ache, even after it's healed. So I bet they'd adore the warmth.

They'd also be lovely for outdoor birds on the cold nights and for hospital cages when they're sick.

I bet some older arthritic birds would enjoy them too. Those feet must start to ache when they get older. Birds who sleep perched quite literally spend a lifetime on them!

Already got one on order so I'll report back on how it works out!
This is the one I ordered:
http://www.amazon.com/K-H-Thermo-Perch- ... ated+perch

I suspect it's going to be the most popular spot in the cage!

[lovezebs]

MiaCarter
Good heavens Mia, heated perches? I need one, a big one... Never mind the birds, I need one for me! LOL !!! I Spend more time on my feet cage cleaning...

~Elana~

[lovezebs]

monotwine
~I see all these broken trees as Nature's bounty, while everyone else just sees them as a mess.
~People shake their heads.... ' What are we going to do with this half a tree on our front lawn?'
~The next thing you know, there's Elana, dragging this thing into her yard, saw in hand and a maniacal gleam in her eye. No wonder Elana gets strange looks.


~Elana~

[debbyloo]

Here's another "different" perch idea I ran across.... "Polly Perfect Guiding Light Perches." You can google it to see what they look like, and they sell them apparently on Amazon. I don't think these are sized for small finches, and have no idea what finches would think about them, but the idea is that they glow softly at night and "guide" the bird to a perching spot to prevent night falls. It would be very easy to make your own, if you were so inclined, with any wood perch, natural or otherwise, and a plastic bottle (hobby type) of "glow in the dark" acrylic paint from any hobby supply store. This type of paint is dries clear, but gathers light energy during the day and emits it at night to make whatever it is painted onto glow softly, at least for a limited amount of time. Thoughts?

[lovezebs]

debbyloo
Cool. Just don't know if paint is a good idea. My guys tend to rub their beaks against the perches, so... just not sure.