🪵 Birds strip and chew perches and toys, so the wood needs to be genuinely safe — and always untreated, unpainted and pesticide-free. Never use pressure-treated, stained or painted wood.
No match found. If it isn't listed, treat it as "not confirmed safe" and check with an avian vet before letting your bird near it.
Preparing branches
Even safe woods should be scrubbed clean, checked for mould and insects, and thoroughly dried — many owners bake branches at a low oven temperature to be safe. Avoid anything from a tree that's been sprayed with pesticides.
Woods to always avoid
Cedar and other aromatic woods give off oils that irritate bird lungs. Stone-fruit woods (cherry, plum, peach, apricot) contain cyanide compounds in the bark and wood, even though the fruit is fine. Pressure-treated, painted, or glued woods (plywood, MDF) contain chemicals and are unsafe.
Frequently asked questions
What wood is safe for bird perches?
Apple, pear, manzanita, java (coffee) wood, dragonwood, willow, birch, ash, elm and grapevine are all popular safe choices when untreated and clean.
Is pine safe for birds?
Untreated, unscented kiln-dried pine is generally considered okay, but the sap and resin can be an irritant, so many owners prefer harder safe woods. Never use scented or treated pine.
Is cedar safe for birds?
No. Cedar's aromatic oils give off fumes that can irritate and harm a bird's respiratory system. Avoid cedar for perches, toys and bedding.