Parrot Enclosures - Choosing the Right Cage for Your Feathered Friend

At first thought a bird cage is simple. It is meant to contain your bird. However, finding the right cage for your parrot could mean the difference between a bored, stressed bird and a happy, content bird. As you watch a parrot in and around their cage you will find that they are using their cage in many different ways. As we head off to work or run to the store our parrot is left in its cage. The parrot will have to spend some time entertaining itself. Every bird is different, however each finds ways to play and amuse themselves. A safe and well thought out cage will benefit both you and your parrot!

There are several things to think about when choosing the right cage...

Bar Spacing - This is the distance between the metal bars of the cage. The type of parrot will match the spacing of the bars. A larger bird such as a Macaw would have a recommended bar spacing of ¾ inch to 1 ¼ inch, while a medium sized bird such as a Conure would have a recommended bar spacing of ½ inch to ¾ inch. Lastly a smaller bird such as a parakeet would have a bar spacing of no more than 5/8 inch. This is done as a safety precaution. If the bars in the cage are too far apart the Parrot could get his leg or neck stuck in between the bars and possibly get injured. Also the large bars would be difficult for a small bird to maneuver. Likewise, if a large parrot found himself in a cage with little spacing between the bars he too would struggle to move around in his cage. The bars would not allow room for his large beak and feet to hold on to.