Is copper wire bird-safe?

[TinaInWonderland]

I'm hoping y'all can tell if copper wire is safe to use on bird toys? I hope so, 'cuz I have some and some sticks from my Sweet Gum tree that I'm itching to turn into a couple of bird swings.

I'm so thankful for all the useful information from this site! I was eying a dead bush in my yard, thinking how great the shape of some of its branches would look made into a bird tree. Then I remembered to look up the plant first to see if it was safe (something I read here, thank goodness!) and it turns out that Rhododendrons are DEADLY poison. So, I'll have to find something else to use for that.

Any who, back to my original question: Is uncoated copper wire safe for the birds?

[NaniOokami]

I don't remember completely, but I don't think so. Let me see if I can find it for you.

All the hardware I see that seems bird-safe is Stainless Steel or nickel-plated. :)

[huntress]

Nickle Plated is not safe either - esp the cheap crap

[mmr]

no, no, no! Copper is bad. The best and safest way to go is Stainless steel.

[TinaInWonderland]

I'm sure glad I asked about this! Thanks for the replies.

Okay, so I'm gonna send the husband to Lowe's this afternoon to pick up some stainless steel wire. I'm going to use it for swings for my GCC and finches, so what guage would y'all recommend? Also, is there a particular brand name from Lowe's that I should tell him to look for or some way that he would be able to tell that it is 100% stainless steel?
He has the attention span of a flea on crack so I have to be specific :)

[mmr]

any S.S. will work I think 12-16 guage will be fine.

[huntress]

Heavy aluminum wire is good and easy to bend as well.