How to Choose a Bird Cage

Many of us would have a hard time adjusting if we had to move to a different place, even if it was only an hour away. The same goes for your bird. It's no secret that a bird's natural habitat is in a rainforest, jungle, or rural countryside. Pet birds are wild at heart, and this may cause behavioral problems if you don't create a suitable environment for them.

The main aspects to consider when selecting a bird cage are your bird's size and personality. If your bird is mechanically inclined or an escape-artist, you will need a cage with more security features. If your bird loves to climb, you will need a cage with numerous horizontal bars. It's also crucial that the bar spacing isn't wide enough for your bird to get his head stuck in between the rungs but wide enough apart for his feet to span the bars. Be leery of cages with convergent bars (wider openings at one end and narrow at the other) because birds can easily trap a toe or limb.

Cage Size Matters

It's important to make sure that your bird's cage is the proper size because space issues can create stress for your bird. How big is big enough? A good rule of thumb when looking for a cage is to find one that is two to three times the wingspan of your bird and three times his length (from head to tail). Birds need room to stretch their wings and exercise their bodies without having to worry about being restricted.

The cage should also have enough space to hang toys, ladders, and mirrors without your bird bumping into them all the time. The exercise and activity your bird will be capable of in a large cage will cut down on behavior problems and even lower the risk of obesity.

Keep Him Comfortable and Occupied

Although a cage may be an unnatural home for a bird, it doesn't have to be an unhappy home. Different ways to make your bird's home more comfortable is to make sure that your bird has room to move, a variety of places to perch, and toys to keep his mind and body busy.

Birds spend a lot of time in their cages, so it's important that you get the right cage for your bird and have it in a good location—in fact, it's crucial for you and your bird's sanity! Birds can get bored very easily if they don't have any mental stimulation to keep them occupied and may even start developing behavior problems, such as biting, chewing, squawking constantly, or feather picking.

Creating a suitable environment for your bird is crucial for his health and happiness. You and your bird will both win if he is comfortable!

Discover More!

Finding the Right Place for Your Bird's Cage

How to Stop a Bird from Biting

Bird Chewing

Feather Picking in Pet Birds

Obesity in Birds

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