Hobbies And Interests
Sand
In a suburban house a 3-foot square and deep box with shelf perches and barring could be a suitable sized mews for your bird. A larger bird such as a red-tailed hawk may need a larger mews of 8-feet-by-10-feet-by-8-feet. You could use sand on the floor, which is readily available. Each time a tethered bird attempts to fly or the bird paces, the sand files and sharpens its talons.
Soil
Similar to sand, you may prefer to use soil as the flooring of the bird's mews because it's easy to maintain. You can rake the soil, and it absorbs well for a healthier environment for your bird. The type of soil you choose can affect the bird's ability to sharpen its talons. Birds that pace or walk around on clay-like soil will dull their talons. If the ground consists mostly of sand, birds can sharpen their talons naturally.
Tree Branch
A thick oak or beech tree branch the size of 1 1/2 to 2 inches in diameter placed in the bird's mews or cage could encourage your bird's climbing activity. For variety, and to help your bird sharpen its talons, you can fasten a stainless steel metal bar diagonally. If the bar is too thin, the bird will not be able to properly sharpen its talons. If the talons are not improving, you could provide the bird with a stainless steel swing. Keeping your bird active on its feet helps it naturally sharpen its talons and keep them even.
Perch
Natural branches also make good perches on which a bird can sharpen its talons. You can place a perch 1 1/2 to 3 inches in diameter and 18 to 24 inches long or smaller depending on the size of the bird. As long as the perch is wide enough for the bird to get a gripping effect, the bird will be able to keep its talons sharp. If you bend the perch down toward the end, it gives an angled landing zone for your bird's convenience.