Do you know why the teardrop is preferred? There must be some preference which makes it safer, or easier on the tail feathers...Tim
I use both ring perches and bow perches. I by far prefer the ring. I have listed a few reasons why I, personally, like the teardrop rotating ring perch compared to a normal ring perch and a bow perch. I know there are many more but I can just think of these at the moment.
I like the tear drop because it rotates nicer than a normal rotating ring perch. The top tends to spin better because of the shape than a normal ring. And it is easier to tie the knot no matter which way you are facing in relation to the perch.
They are virtually tangle free, unlike most other perches (yes even a bow perch).
The perching surface itself seems to be better. This shape basically allows a larger circle but without having a gigantic perch.
The only thing about ring perches is that you need to have the leash long enough so that if it becomes caught over the middle the bird can reach the ground. The teardrops seem to be better able to spin because of the asymmetrical horizontal axis.
I like them because there is one tie down point, relatively located in the center. As opposed to a bow perch which allows an oval and a lot more space to be used per perch. Plus that pulls the bird off center on the initial bate. It always looks bad when they get pulled sideways because the ring is in the corner of the bow perch.
The spinning of the perch seems to take away some of the force of the bate and also seem to cause them to stop bating again and again, because of the swiveling action, as opposed to perches that have one fixed tie down point on them. You can see this after the bird does the initial bate and "digs in" and starts leaning forward and "lunging". The perch will swivel side to side a little bit which seems to take away some of the force and cause the bird to stop sooner than on a bow perch.
They look better.
The added height and smaller perching surface seems to keep the birds from bating as much. Not sure if they are more comfortable or why but it is just my observation.
When they do bate the ring is always low which doesn't cause tail damage like a bow perch will when the ring is temporarily at the high mid point. I personally hate it when the leash goes through the tail from a bow perch. I dont care if the swivel is there or not. I don't like the look of the reversed feathers between the deck. I dont see how that can be at all good for the feather strength of the tail feathers.
I like the spray pattern in a more circular arrangement. This keeps the grass from being killed in one area.
It is hilarious when my gos will play and grab onto one side of the ring and flap around in circles hanging on like she is pretending to ride a jack. This cracks me up every time. Can't do that with a bow perch.
Easier to get into the ground with only one spike.
A falcon is to a block as an accipiter is to a ring perch; A red tail or Harris to a bow. This is my old fashioned stereotypical view. I have read, seen and experienced this so much that it is just more aesthetically pleasing to me.
-------------------------------------- I have no personal experience with meng perches. I would be interested to see photos of birds bating on them.