Your parrots home is a very important part of it’s life. If you are a working parent, even more so. Your bird’s cage is it’s refuge from real or perceived threats, it’s roost for the night, it’s play area and it’s dining room. When purchasing a cage for your bird, bigger is better. There should be room for your bird to spread it’s wings and flap them. It should provide enough space for multiple toys and perches and an eating area that is free of toys hanging down.
When you purchase a cage you need to look at bar spacing for safety and lasting build. The spacing should not be wide enough for your bird to put it’s head through the bars. You must also look at the thickness of the bars, large birds beaks hold a lot of power and easily break the welds on cage bars that are too thin. Caged should have at least 2 sides of horizontal bars for ease of climbing. Finches, Canaries and small Parakeets should have a bar spacing of 3/8”-1/2”. Cockatiels, Greencheek Conures, Ringnecks and English Budgies need 3/8”-5/8” bar spacing. Caiques, Sun Conures, Nanday Conures, Lories, Senegals, Myers, small Macaws such as haha’s or Noble Macaws and Pionus require bar spacing to be 1/2”-3/4”. African Greys, Amazons, Goffins Cockatoos and Bare Eyed Cockatoos need bars spaced 5/8”-1”. Bar spacing for large Macaws and large Cockatoos needs to be 3/4”-2”.
If buying a used cage, make sure it has not been repainted or have rust. Paint can be toxic to your bird. You will need to clean a used cage with hot, soapy water with bleach added then allow the cage to dry in direct sunlight for a few days. This will help to remove any bacteria or viruses left behind by the previous cage occupant.
The cage should accommodate a minimum of 3 perches of different textures along with a minimum of 3 toys. There should be food and water bowl holders off the floor of the cage and a third bowl for fresh foods.
When setting up your bird’s cage be aware of AC vents, windows, where direct sunlight comes in and where doors are placed. A window view is great if your bird is not frightened easily , remember large wild birds and predator birds fly by windows. Also make note of whether the window location will provide shade as well as sunlight. Do not place your bird’s cage under AC or heat vents. You should not place the cage right beside of a door as this allows for startling the bird every time it’s opened or closed, it allows for drafts during cold weather.
These are guidelines, not all set in stone. You must consider your individual bird’s likes and dislikes, the set up of your home and the activity of your home. Have fun putting your birds home together!
