Buying bird cages – Tips for choosing the best bird cages

So you just bought your first bird. Congratulations! One of the first tasks that you and other new bird owners need to complete is purchasing bird cages. There are many options available today and most of them are of good quality and quite affordable. Here are four features of bird cages that can make the biggest difference in how safe and comfortable the home is for the newest member of your family.

Cage Dimensions: What Size Bird Cage Is Best For Your Bird?

Experts tell us that you should buy as large a cage as you can afford that can also fit in the space you’ve allotted. You want to make sure your bird can flap its wings freely and walk around in the cage. You should also make sure that your bird’s tail does not touch the bottom of the cage when it is sitting on its perch. This is after you have added posts, food bowls, and toys. Putting your bird in a cage that is too small can result in undesirable behaviors such as feather picking, screaming, and biting.

Small birds like finches, parakeets, and lovebirds generally need bird cages that are at least 18 to 20 inches. Medium-sized birds like Parrots, Amazons, and Grays need 24 to 32 inches or more, and larger birds like Cockatoos and Macaws need at least 36 to 40 inches.

Bar Spacing: What is the largest amount of space that should be allowed between the cage bars?

This is one of the most important features of a bird cage. If the space between the bars is too large, the bird may push its head and hurt itself. On the other hand, if there is not enough space, you will not be able to see the bird.

Small birds like canaries, finches, and pigeons need about a half inch of space between the bars. Medium-sized birds, like the cockatoo, need five to eight to three-quarters of an inch, and large birds, like the macaw, need three-quarters to one inch of space. Extra large birds should get one to one and a quarter inches.

Bar Gauge: How thick should the bars be?

You need to make sure that the birdcage bars are thick enough. If the bars are too thin for your bird’s size, your new resident may be able to bend or dent the bars and escape.

Small birds like canaries and parakeets need 2mm or less. Cockatoos and lovebirds are better off with 2.5mm, while medium-sized birds like Amazons and goblins require around 3.5mm. Larger birds need 5mm or more.

Quality and craftsmanship: what is the overall quality of the birdcage?

Make sure your bird’s new home is a safe place to live. Is the cage solid and resistant? Is the cage made of non-toxic material? Will it be easy to clean? Does it contain paint that could easily chip? Are there sharp edges or loose parts?