Manzanita branches are very popular with parrot and other exotic bird owners for bird perches and bird toys. Manzanita bird perches and toys are ideal for birds because manzanita wood is non toxic, resists chewing, and makes an ideal perching surface.
Exotic birds like parrots are sensitive to many chemicals. Many common products can be toxic to these birds, but manzanita wood is chemically inert and is non toxic. Since many exotic birds like parrots like to chew on things, this is important.
Because these birds like to chew, they are good at destroying just about anything that is softer than their sharp beaks, this includes wood. Manzanita is a very dense hardwood that also has a thin layer of bark that is soft and easily damaged when green, but gets hard after it dries. Both manzanita bark and wood are hard enough that they resist wear from chewing and will last much longer than most woods.
Manzanita branches can be used for bird perches in their natural form with the bark intact or are sometimes sandblasted to remove the bark. The bark is thin and smooth and has a reddish color. The wood underneath is usually a creamy white. Both the bark and the wood make a good gripping surface for birds. Since manzanita wood is so dense and is not highly porous, it is less absorbent than most wood and is easy to clean.
Manzanita branches grow in many irregular and twisted shapes that provide a varied surface for birds to perch and walk on. This is good for the birds since navigating the varied terrain is good exercises for their feet and legs.
Simple bird perches are often made from a single manzanita branch to be mounted in a cage, or for a hand held or otherwise supported bird stand. More complex and sometimes even elaborate bird playstands are also common. Manzanita branches are not only an ideal gripping surface for birds, they can also have a lot of forks and twigs that make good obstacle courses and a lot of variety to keep the birds busy and give them exercise.
Manzanita wood is not only a great material for birds, it is also good for their owners. As mentioned before, manzanta is easy to maintain and is durable. It’s also a very attractive wood. You can have the choice of the reddish color of the bark or a creamy white with the bark removed. Wooden toys can be cut from the inside of the heart wood which is a rich dark reddish brown with grain patterns that can rival some of the world’s most exotic hardwoods.
Manzanita bird perches and toys can be a great natural and environmentally responsible choice for birds and bird owners.