Wooden perch question!

[Falconerwa]

i have a few hard wood maple branches that i used for making crossbow stocks and such, and some of them are pretty small, i know Red maple you cant use, and vine maple you can... but what about normal maple? or one that isnt red? i THINK its rocky mountain maple...

[Monica]

I've heard that other than two types of maples, maple wood is safe.... here, this may help...

Bird; Birds: Safe, Toxic Trees, Woods. Safe Tree Wood. Poisonous. Parrots. Parrot cages.

MAPLE - Originally, this page only listed two maple trees: vine maple as safe, and red maple as toxic. I've included "maple" in the safe list now, but with this condition: remove / scrape off the bark. It may not be absolutely neccessary, but its the only way that I'll suggest the bulk of that tree genus. From what I've read, the bark of many maple trees, like vine maple or Japanese maple, etc., is fine. Meaning, the bark "in itself" is not deemed toxic. But red maple (Acer rubrum) - at least - also known scarlet maple and swamp maple, can harbor a fungus which may grow on the bark. Inhalation of that fungus can cause maple bark disease (form of allergic alveolitis). Maple wood - most in general - should be safe to use for natural wood perches once the bark is removed.

One toxicologist wrote that "Maple seeds and sugar-rich young leaves are edible except to horses. Wilted and dry, not FRESH, maple leaves produce an oxidant which has caused hemolytic anemia, renal failure, pulmonary edema and death in horses." Many other sources and tree lists for horses, simply list "red maple" as toxic to horses, not really specifying why.

Currently, here's my feeling on this: I'd use almost any maple branch for a perch. The bark of most maples is probably not a hazard, but I'd remove the bark anyway just to remove the element of doubt.

In short, it seems that most sites agree with all maple is safe EXCEPT for red maple.

[Falconerwa]

Ah, ok, well, since it was for a crossbow, either stock or prod (the bow) the bark has all been removed! thanks!!

[Falconerwa]

So... here is the perch i made him!



it swings!! he LOVES it!

[tielmama]

The perch looks great, but he can't get his little tootsies around it. I hope he has some skinny ones too. He is adorable. Reminds me of one I had named Naomi.