One of the most common problems in parrot-keeping
today is not providing our feathered friends
with the size of cage they need. Housing
a bird in an undersized cage can lead to
all of the worst behavioral problems found
in pet birds: screaming, phobic behavior,
biting and aggression, and feather plucking.
A common misconception is that a cage is
a place of confinement. We do not think
of a cage as a place of confinement but
as a home and comfort zone, similar to the
way we view our own homes. This is where
the food is kept and where the familiar
water bottle hangs. When a parrot is under
stress, you will probably notice that he
or she is most relieved when returned to
its cage. Pet birds spend a vast majority
of their time housed within these four walls.
Just think, if you just take the amount
of time you are not at home (when the bird
should not be left out of its cage) and
add it to the number of hours the bird needs
to rest and sleep (at least 12), the average
bird will be in its cage at least twenty
hours a day and sometimes more. Leaving
the bird's door open or not confining a
bird at all is extremely dangerous and totally
unacceptable. A person is inviting disaster
when ignoring this important rule of thumb.
The reasons a bird needs a cage are many.
First of all, they need a wide variety of
perches to keep their legs and feet properly
exercised. They need different textures
as well as diferent diameters. It is very
difficult to provide a bird with adequate
perches on a playpen. Even if you are able
to provide them, the parrot will spend the
vast majority of its time on the highest
perch. When the bird is in its cage, it
is more secure and comfortable and will
use all of its perches at some point in
the course of a day, not just the highest
one. At the very least your bird will play
with different toys and venture to its food
and water sources. Also, when the bird is
on the top perch of a playpen, where are
the toys hanging? You could tie one to a
rope connected to the high perch but it
tends to get pooped on, and even then it
is only one toy. They need a variety of
toys just like they need a variety of perches.
For the sake of argument, let's assume the
parrot had all the proper perches and toys
in a playpen setting and actually used them.
It's not completely unheard of, but it begs
the question: Where is the bird getting
its water? All parrots should be drinking
from water bottles, not water bowls. The
point is, it is impossible to provide a
pet bird with a proper, safe, and comfortable
living environment without a cage. The most
obvious consideration when selecting a cage
is the size of the bird. Parrots need to
be able to flap their wings and stretch
them out to full wingspan. A factor that
often gets overlooked when looking at cages
is that these cages will be occupied by
not only the parrot but also food bowls,
three to four perches, at least three toys
and with whatever else the owner decides
to spoil the bird. These objects, while
absolutely necessary, dramatically cut down
the amount of open space in the cage. Another
important determinant is the bird's activity
level. You will notice some discrepancies
between birds and the size of the cage required.
A good example is a parrotlet. If you have
ever spent time around parrotlets, you know
that they rarely stop to catch their breath.
They are very playful and are rarely in
a state of rest. For these reasons, they
need a larger sized cage than the slightly
larger budgie that has only a moderate activity
level. Round cages cannot be used. They
do not give your pet a point of reference
and will can lead psychological problems.
Also, the vast majority of commercial parrot
products are not made to attach to a curved
surface. If you are having any problems
with your parrot, look closely at its cage
size. This is often the root of many different
problems. If you currently have a cage that
is too small, use the suggestions below
as guidelines and you will be on your way
to an improved relationship with your pet
bird!
Minimum Cage Size and Maximum Bar Spacing
Budgies Parrotlets, Lovebirds - 18"x18"
with 1/2"
Cockatiels - 20" x 20" with 1/2"
or 5/8"
Small Poicephalus,Conures, Ring-necked Parakeets
- 22" x 24" with 5/8" or
3/4"
Caiques, Timnehs, Pionus, Jardine's, Small
Mini Macaws - 24" x 24" with 3/4"
or 1"
Small Amazons, African Greys - 32"
x 23" with 1" or 1 1/4"
Mini Macaws, Cockatoos and Amazons - 36"
x 24" with 1" or 1 1/2"
Large Macaws, Large Cockatoos - 3' x 4'
with 1 or 1 1/2"
If your bird was not listed, find one of
similar size and use that as a base but
be sure to take into account the activity
level of the species.
