Buying a pet bird requires difficult choices and careful preparation. If you’ve chosen a parrot, you’re past the first challenge, but you’ll need to think about a cage, food, and other supplies before you actually purchase a bird. The specifics depend largely on which parrot species you choose. Do some research to be sure you know what’s required.
Why Does a Parrot Need a Cage?
Unsupervised birds can injure themselves and damage furniture if they are left to roam freely. Therefore, your parrot must have a cage—a place where you can leave the bird in safety when you have to go out, a refuge for the bird if it wants peace and quiet, and sleeping quarters.
Parrot Cage Size
The size of the cage depends on the size of the bird. Small parrots need room to fly; large parrots must have plenty of room to spread their wings and perch without touching cage walls or floor. Keep in mind that recommended cage sizes are usually minimum dimensions—your bird will be happier if it has the biggest cage you can manage.
Features of a Good Parrot Cage
Parrots, especially the larger species, should have as much free time outside the cage as possible, but most still spend a lot of time in the cage. The bird should be safe and happy there:
- Smaller parrots like to cling to and climb cage walls, so look for a cage with horizontal rather than vertical bars.
- Cage bars should not be so widely spaced that the parrot can push its head between them.
- Choose a square or rectangular cage for maximum interior space.
- A mesh floor allows droppings and spilled food to fall through, keeping these things away from the parrot.
- A removable tray at the bottom of the cage is a good feature for easy cleaning.
- The door should be large enough for the bird to move through it easily.
- Parrots are very intelligent and they often figure out how to open doors—be sure the door closes securely. A sturdy lock is a good idea.
- If you build your own cage, make sure there are no sharp edges exposed and no places where a bird might get its head, tongue, or toe caught. Use nontoxic materials for construction, and use fasteners that the bird can’t get at—parrots are good at removing clips, staples etc.
Accessory Cages for Pet Parrots
In addition to the cage where the bird spends time during the day, many parrots have other cages:
- a night cage in a quiet dark room for sleeping
- a carrier cage for trips to the veterinarian
- an outdoor aviary where the bird can fly and enjoy nice weather
Choosing a cage is a major step in preparing for your pet parrot, but to be happy the bird will also need a good diet, feeding dishes, grit to help it digest its food, toys to play with, a stand to perch on outside the cage, perches inside the cage, grooming tools, and perhaps a nesting box. Make sure you have everything ready before you bring your parrot home.
Sources:
"Birds: Cages." PetEducation.com
Parrots as a New Pet. Wentworth, William. Neptune NJ: T. F. H. Publications, 1992.
The New Parrot Handbook. Lantermann, Werner. Woodbury: Barron’s, 1986.
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