Cages
Lisa Keelty
Environmental and Wildlife Technician
AFA Certified Aviculturist
Choosing the right cage for your avian companion can have a huge impact on their health and behaviour. The general rule is that bigger is always better. The larger the cage you can buy the more you'll get out of your money. In the wild birds have limitless space available to them but at home this is a whole different story.
For passerines (finches, canaries, soft bills, etc...) the cage needs to be as big as possible to allow for proper flight, exercise and territory per pair. A smaller bird doesn't mean a smaller cage. The bars on the cage should be at least 50% vertical to allow for proper gripping along them. The bars should be thin metal no more than a 1/4 of an inch to allow for adequate viewing and prevent escape. Ideally feeders should be accessible from the outside to help minimize stress during cage maintenance.
For psittaciformes (parrots, parakeets) the cage should be as big as possible but at least large enough that if the resident opens it's wings (unclipped) they should not touch each end of the cage. The bars on the cage should be at least 50% horizontal to allow for easy manoeuvring along the cage walls. The space between the bars needs to be small enough to prevent the bird from passing his head through, but large enough to be durable. Bigger species of parrots may require cages with locking mechanisms on the doors to prevent escape.
All cages should be longer rather than very tall as 80% of the space in a tall cage will not be used since birds like to stay at the highest perch. It should also allow enough space for accessories such as perches, toys, hide-a-ways, nests (if applicable) and movement. If you don't have the space for a decent sized bird cage then a pet bird isn't for you, plain and simple.
Where you place the cage is equally as important as the type of cage you buy. Cages should be placed in a well light, active area of the house where the birds can see and hear people. A corner makes a great place since it gives some privacy and protection blocking 2 of the 4 sides of the enclosure. Never put a cage in a dark and lifeless area of the house such as a basement, bedroom or office as this is beyond boring for any parrot and may encourage contact calls and screaming. Passerines typically do not care as much about human presence and can be put in a quieter area of a home.
A cage should never be placed directly in front of a draft, near chemicals or cleaners (i.e. a kitchen can be a dangerous place when you cook with Teflon pans), or on the centre stage of all activity in the house.
Small sleeping cages can be used for parrots and parakeets. These are basically small cages just large enough for the individual, a perch and food/water bowls. The cage is placed in a spare room such as a guestroom, extra bathroom etc... Since most parrots need about 12 hours of sleep a day (and rarely get it) you can move your feathered friend into his little bedroom to make sure that he's getting enough rest. This can drastically improve your pet's mood the following morning.
Spare rooms can be "bird proofed" and altered to create a sort of indoor aviary for passerines, however it must be done meticulously to make sure that the room is indeed safe and sound for birds.
Below are some other simple guide lines when choosing a cage;
NEVER buy a round cage. They're made to look good and that's about it.
There should be no toxic metals or paint such as zinc or iron used to make the cage.
There should be no gaps large enough for the bird(s) to squeeze their head through, a big danger that can result in death.
Don't buy antique bamboo cages as they are impossible to clean and disinfect.
Cages
-Vous avez adopté un oiseau ? Vous trouverez ici de l'information sur la cage appropriée à l'espèce, les aires de jeux, installations, jouets et détails sur leur confection. Les photos sont permises en les hébergeant, au préalable, sur un site conçu à cet effet, tels photobucket, imageshack ou autres. Vous pouvez aussi y déposer de l'information ou y poser vos questions.
-You've adopted a bird ? Here you will find information about the appropriate size cage for each species, playgrounds, facilities, toys and confection details. Pictures are allowed if hosted on websites such as photobucket, imageshack or others. You can also submit information or ask questions.
-You've adopted a bird ? Here you will find information about the appropriate size cage for each species, playgrounds, facilities, toys and confection details. Pictures are allowed if hosted on websites such as photobucket, imageshack or others. You can also submit information or ask questions.
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- poicephalus (Senegal, jardine, cape, meyer, brown headed ect...)
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- poicephalus (Senegal, jardine, cape, meyer, brown headed ect...)
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- loris et loriquets (loris and lorikeets)
- perruches et grandes perruches (parakeets and ringnecks)
- pionus
- poicephalus (Senegal, jardine, cape, meyer, brown headed ect...)
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- eclectus
- gris d'Afrique (African greys)
- inséparables (lovebirds)
- loris et loriquets (loris and lorikeets)
- perruches et grandes perruches (parakeets and ringnecks)
- pionus
- poicephalus (Senegal, jardine, cape, meyer, brown headed ect...)
- quakers
- touis (parrotlets and linoleated parakeets)
- autres espèces ou j'ignore l'espèce (others or unknown species)
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- amazones (amazons)
- aras (macaws)
- cacatoès (cockatoos)
- caiques
- cockatiels
- conures (green cheeks, sun conure ect...)
- eclectus
- gris d'Afrique (African greys)
- inséparables (lovebirds)
- loris et loriquets (loris and lorikeets)
- petites perruches (small budgies)
- grandes perruches (ringnecks and other long tail parakeets)
- pionus
- poicephalus (Senegal, jardine, cape, meyer, brown headed ect...)
- quakers
- touis (parrotlets and linoleated parakeets)
- autres espèces ou j'ignore l'espèce (others or unknown species)
- Ontario
- amazones (amazons)
- aras (macaws)
- cacatoès (cockatoos)
- caiques
- cockatiels
- conures (green cheeks, sun conure ect...)
- eclectus
- gris d'Afrique (African greys)
- inséparables (lovebirds)
- loris et loriquets (loris and lorikeets)
- perruches et grandes perruches (parakeets and ringnecks)
- pionus
- poicephalus (Senegal, jardine, cape, meyer, brown headed ect...)
- quakers
- touis (parrotlets and linoleated parakeets)
- autres espèces ou j'ignore l'espèce (others or unknown species)
- Maritimes
- amazones (amazons)
- aras (macaws)
- cacatoès
- caiques
- cockatiels
- conures (green cheeks, sun conure ect...)
- eclectus
- gris d'Afrique (African greys)
- inséparables (lovebirds)
- loris et loriquets (loris and lorikeets)
- perruches et grandes perruches (parakeets and ringnecks)
- pionus
- poicephalus (Senegal, jardine, cape, meyer, brown headed ect...)
- quakers
- touis (parrotlets and linoleated parakeets)
- autres espèces ou j'ignore l'espèce (others or unknown species)
- Provinces des Prairies (Prairie Provinces)
- amazones (amazons)
- aras (macaws)
- cacatoès (cockatoos)
- caiques
- cockatiels
- conures (green cheeks, sun conure ect...)
- eclectus
- gris d'Afrique (African greys)
- inséparables (lovebirds)
- loris et loriquets (loris and lorikeets)
- perruches et grandes perruches (parakeets and ringnecks)
- pionus
- poicephalus (Senegal, jardine, cape, meyer, brown headed ect...)
- quakers
- touis (parrotlets and linoleated parakeets)
- autres espèces ou j'ignore l'espèce (others or unknown species)
- Colombie Britannique (British Columbia)
- amazones (amazons)
- aras (macaws)
- cacatoès (cockatoos)
- caiques
- cockatiels
- conures (green cheeks, sun conure ect...)
- eclectus
- gris d'Afrique (African greys)
- inséparables (lovebirds)
- loris et loriquets (loris and lorikeets)
- perruches et grandes perruches (parakeets and ringnecks)
- pionus
- poicephalus (Senegal, jardine, cape, meyer, brown headed ect...)
- quakers
- touis (parrotlets and linoleated parakeets)
- autres espèces ou j'ignore l'espèce (others or unknown species)
- Nord canadien (Northern territories)
- amazones (amazons)
- aras (macaws)
- cacatoès (cockatoos)
- caiques
- cockatiels
- conures (green cheeks, sun conure ect...)
- eclectus
- gris d'Afrique (African greys)
- inséparables (lovebirds)
- loris et loriquets (loris and lorikeets)
- perruches et grandes perruches (parakeets and ringnecks)
- pionus
- poicephalus (Senegal, jardine, cape, meyer, brown headed ect...)
- quakers
- touis (parrotlets and linoleated parakeets)
- autres espèces ou j'ignore l'espèce (others or unknown species)
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- amazones (amazons)
- aras (macaws)
- cacatoès (cockatoos)
- caiques
- cockatiels
- conures (green cheeks, sun conure ect...)
- eclectus
- gris d'Afrique (African greys)
- inséparables (lovebirds)
- loris et loriquets (loris and lorikeets)
- perruches et grandes perruches (parakeets and ringnecks)
- poicephalus (Senegal, jardine, cape, meyer, brown headed ect...)
- pionus
- quakers
- touis (parrotlets and linoleated parakeets)
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