Proper Cages
A parrot begins to relax in a new house when it finds its cage comfortable and spacious. Size your parrot cages so that your bird has plenty of moving-around space. There should be space for toys. The smaller the cage, the more out-of-cage exercise the parrot should get. Parrot cages come in a variety of designs, suited to the needs of individual parrots.
| Species | Bar Spacing | Perch Diameter |
|---|---|---|
| Finch, Parrotlet, Parakeet, Lovebird | Cockatiel, Conure | African Grey, Amazon, Macaw, Cockatoo |
| 1/2" | 1/2" to 3/4" | 3/4 to 1 1/4" |
| 3/8" to 3/4" | 5/8" to 1 1/4" | 1" to 2" |
Bar Spacing
Bigger is better as long as the spacing between the bars is narrow enough to prevent injury if the bird tries to escape. The bird's head should not be able to fit between the bars.
Cage Door
The door needs to be large enough to comfortably put your hand through, catch the bird, remove the bird, and replace the bird. The latch on the door needs to be escape-proof also as the bird is going to have a lot of time to find a way to open it.
Cage Location
Place the cage so the bird perches at about your chest level. Lower than that (especially if placed on the ground) and the bird will be anxious and feel vulnerable. Do not place it higher than your chest level as 'higher' means 'superior' to birds. In the wild, the more dominant birds perch on higher branches. Keep the bird in a sunny, draft-free area. If the bird is more social, keep it in an area of human activity. If the bird is less social, it may be happier in a quieter area of the house.
Cage Covering
Cage covers are used to signal to the bird that it is bedtime and he should be quiet. A cover made to fit the cage can be purchased. An old sheet or pillowcase will also work to cover the cage at night. A cage cover should not be used as punishment or for extended periods of time outside of sleeping hours. For larger birds that are used to handling, many people prefer to have a separate cage in a quiet room for nighttime use. Providing a quiet, dark area for sleeping is very important since sleep deprivation can result in health and behavior problems.
Perch
Birds spend the majority of their time standing on their feet so good perches are essential. A variety of types and sizes should be supplied. It is often recommended that each cage have a concrete perch, a natural branch perch, and a manmade perch. Choose a perch size appropriate to the size of the bird, examples are listed above.
Concrete or Mineral perches
A concrete (mineral) perch gives the bird a spot to groom his beak and nails. These may also be called grooming perches.
Branch perches
Natural tree branches are better than the wooden dowels normally supplied when the cage is purchased. Because of their uneven shape of branches, the bird is not always putting pressure on the same part of the foot when he stands.
Manmade perches
Untreated cotton rope is great to use for perches. It can be tossed in the washing machine for cleaning. Monitor it closely so the bird does not eat any of the strings or catch a toe in a frayed area.
Cleaning
1. Remove the bird from the cage. Keep the bird in a safe place, away from any open windows or doors.
2. Remove any toys, perches or food dishes from the cage.
3. If the cage has a detachable bottom, remove the bottom and dump any loose droppings in the trash.
4. If there is no detachable bottom, carefully turn the entire cage upside down over a garbage can, and gently shake out any loose droppings.
5. Put both parts of the cage in the shower, and run very hot water over them to remove excess soiling.
6. Use a bird-friendly, non-toxic cleanser to scrub the cage and the cage bottom; use a brush, sponge or plastic scrub pad until all soiling is removed.
7. Rinse the cage in hot water in the shower, and allow all excess water to drain off the cage.
8. Dry the cage with a clean, dry cloth. If you're working with a two-part cage, reassemble it.
9. Clean the toys and perches. Remove excess soiling by holding them under hot running water, then scrub them with the bird-friendly, non-toxic cleanser. Rinse in hot water and dry with a clean, dry cloth.
10. Return the toys, perches, food dishes and bird to the cage.