Playgym for Green Cheeked Conure

[jparrothead]

Darwin my GCC has a very basic playgym--the kind you can at any pet store. It is sized for cockatiels and similarly-sized birds, but to me, it is a bit small for him, given that I keep him on it or near it (like home base away from the cage) for a couple of hours a day. I have seen manzanitas trees and I like the natural feel and look and branches and multiple levels--but they are also super expensive and WAY too big--at least most of the ones I have seen. Also, I think the branches tend to be too thick for smaller parrots like GCCs.

So I am curious what others people may think. Darwin is not yet flighted (still clipped)--THAT is another issue for another day---So having multiple levels vertically and horizontally, and multiple types of chew and forage toys, ladders, ropes, perches, etc, I think is important.

Any suggestions or thoughts?

Thanks!

[Pajarita]

Personally, I don't like manzanita. It's too hard for them to chew and has no bark so although it's a good perch and very durable, it's no fun for the birds. I like plain old tree branches with the bark and the little branches still attached.

[jparrothead]

Pajarita, as you are like a Green Cheeked Conure guru (to me at least!), I highly value your opinion! I hadnt thought of it that way at all, considering that they are tree-dwelling creatures and enjoy leaves and bark and tasty things on them.

Darwin is outside on the playpen most of the time (with me, of course) so a 'potted tree' with leaves and limbs would be interesting to think about--and a natural way for poop and shells to easily be 'recycled'.

I am sure there must be a post on this, but are there trees that you feel are safe enough with proper branch and limb sizing and bark for GCC's? I could easily go to Home Depot, but I would be afraid that their trees could have pesticides on them.

But a 'potted' tree with some hanging toys as I mentioned, might be just the trick--thanks for the suggestion!