How to Select a Parrot Cage
Super tips to getting the best cage for your bird
- Consider your bird first and foremost (everything else is secondary- appearance, color, etc.)- Examine the cage bars for anywhere where the bars decrease in spacing. If these spots exist keep looking- its too easy for your bird to get a foot, wing or its head caught in these areas.
- Is the spacing appropriate? Bar spacing should allow the bird to climb around easily but keep them contained.
- Bonus points awarded for horizontal bars. Although not as easy to look through horizontal bars are much easier for climbing.
- Size! There is no such thing as a cage that is too big. Buy as much cage as you can afford and fit in your area.
- Look for a decent door or multiple doors with good latches. You should be able to get your bird in and out with ease. The latch must be bird proof (and kid proof if you have any).
- Make sure there are spots for food and water cups. Anything you can access from the outside of the cage is better and more convenient. I prefer 3 or more cups with an extra for fruits and treats.
- Check the cage finish carefully. Most cages are iron based. Iron oxide is rust- with oxygen in the air the two easily get together. Paint and other costings prevent this. Epoxy coated bars are better than paint for durability and the ultimate finish is powder coating that is baked on/into the metal. Still, always look the cage over to make sure spots were not missed.
- Super extra bonus for stainless steel cages. Much more expensive but unbeatable for durability.
- Perches are included with most cages. If they are single-size wood dowels replace them with something natural to provide some variability on your parrot's feet.
- Height is important! A cage that is too high will give your parrot a dominant advantage. With amazons and cockatoos this can become a real problem. At the highest perch the bird should not be above your eye level.
- Bonus for playpen tops (see previous tip though!).
- A pull out tray at the cage bottom is a must. There should be a grate between the cage and the tray to keep the bird out of the mess.
- Another bonus for seed or mess deflectors. A guard that extends out from the cage base helps funnel tossed seeds and treats back into the cage. They also help keep little fingers and noses away from the cage.
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