Pet Blog

Buying a cage for your parrot is one of the first and most important things you will do as a bird owner. Ideally, the cage will be purchased and outfitted with appropriate perches, feeding bowls and toys before your parrot arrives home. Because your bird will likely spend much of its time in its cage, you should buy the largest and most well-constructed cage you can afford.

 

Cages are quite expensive, especially for large parrots like Macaws and Cockatoos, but this is not a purchase where frugality is rewarded. Be prepared to spend several hundred dollars for a cage for a medium-sized parrot. For a large parrot, the cost can run close to a thousand dollars or more. Less expensive cages are available, but these are usually: 1) made from inferior materials; 2) poorly constructed; or 3) contain harmful paint or zinc which your bird might ingest.

 

Macaws and Cockatoos are capable of bending or breaking the bars on some of the cheaper cages. A cage that needs replacing within weeks or months is no bargain. Think of buying a cage for your parrot as an investment. Many species of parrots live fifty years or longer, so a cage costing a thousand dollars amounts to spending twenty dollars per year on your bird’s cage. The cost is worth paying. No owner wants to come home and find that their beloved pet has escaped and injured itself.

Cage Size

 

When buying a cage for your parrot, bigger is better. Unless you work at home or are retired, it is likely that your bird will spend the day secured inside its cage. Make sure that the cage you select is spacious enough to allow your parrot to fully expand and flap its wings without hitting the sides or top of the cage. The cage should be roomy enough for your parrot to climb and play freely.

 

Remember to include space for perches, toys and feeding containers. A bored parrot will develop unwanted behaviors like feather-plucking, screaming, aggression, and sometimes even self-mutilation. One of the surest ways to prevent boredom is to provide a large cage that allows the bird enough room to move freely while also allowing room for several interesting toys, including ladders and swings. Remember, too, that a parrot requires more than one perch to avoid long term orthopedic problems, and therefore, the cage should accommodate a minimum of two or three perches of varying sizes.

 

When comparing cage measurements, always be sure to look at dimensions of the interior of the cage, which is the actual living space for your bird. A general rule of thumb is that a cage should be a minimum of 1-1/2 times your bird’s adult wingspan in width, depth, and height. And that is minimum, not ideal. When it comes to parrot housing, think big.

 

Bar Spacing

 

Bar spacing is another important consideration when buying a cage for your parrot. Bars spaced too far apart can allow your bird to escape or get its head stuck, possibly resulting in serious injury or even death. When choosing a cage for your bird, make sure the space between bars follows these guidelines:

 

For large parrots like Macaws, Cockatoos, Amazons and African Greys, the recommended bar spacing is 3/4" to no more than 1-3/8"

 

For medium sized parrots like Cockatiels, Conures, and Senegals: bar spacing of 1/2" to no more than 7/8"

 

Small birds such as Budgies and Lovebirds: bar spacing should be no more than 5/8"

 

These are guidelines and need to be used in combination with common sense. For instance, an Amazon is smaller than a Macaw, so choose a cage with bar spacing closer to the 3/4" to 1” measurement for your Amazon.

 

Cage Styles and Materials

 

Cages come in several styles, including corner cages, octagonal, round, square, and rectangular. Round or cylindrical cages tend to make birds nervous and should be avoided.

 

Metal is the preferred material for cage construction as it withstands the abuse birds give it. Stainless steel cages cost considerably more than any other material, but are durable, sleek, and easy to clean and disinfect.

Most parrot cages are powder-coated, which involves spraying a strong non-toxic paint onto the cage. Powder-coated cages are much cheaper than stainless steel. The paint typically lasts many years, but may eventually chip from the pressure of a parrot’s beak.

 

Dome or Play Top

 

A dome top cage allows your parrot more interior cage space. A play top reduces the interior space, but affords your bird another place to play. If your bird spends most of the day confined to its cage, a dome top is a better choice. For parrots that have a lot of time outside of the cage, the play top is convenient, as the bird can climb out of its cage and onto the roof to play at will.

 

Because of dominance issues, your parrot should not be allowed to perch higher than your chest. Keep this in mind when choosing a cage with a play top. If a play top places your parrot above you, it is better to purchase a cage with a dome top and provide a separate playstand for your bird.

 

Wheels

 

 

Wheels make it possible to move your bird’s cage to other rooms of the house, giving your pet a change of scenery. Wheels also allow for easier cleanup beneath the cage.

 

Cage Doors

 

The cage door should be large enough to place your hand inside to retrieve the bird and return it without touching your hand or the bird. Some parrots are quite the escape artist, so make sure that the latch on the door is escape-proof. Many owners use padlocks or cage clips to secure doors.

 

When buying a cage for your parrot, look for one that allows access to food and water bowls without opening the cage door. If someone else has to care for your bird in your absence, this will enable them to do so without handling your bird directly.

 

Trays, Grates, and Skirts

 

A sliding bottom tray is common in bird cages. A properly fitting tray is easy to remove, clean, and replace with no gaps that allow your bird to escape. Owners often line the tray with newspaper or cage liners, which should be changed daily. Small animal bedding made of shredded paper or cardboard works well, but you should avoid shavings or wood chips which can create dust and irritate your parrot’s airways.

 

Most cages have a removable grate above the tray allowing the bird's droppings to fall through where your pet is unable to reach them. Grates should be scrubbed and disinfected weekly.

 

Some cages come with skirts that fit around the bottom of the cage to catch seeds and feathers. These are optional and a personal choice. Some owners find them useful while others prefer a simple rubber mat or piece of linoleum placed beneath the cage.

A spacious and durable cage is critical to the safety and well-being of your bird. Following a few simple guidelines will take the guesswork out of buying a cage for your parrot.