Bird Cage Buying Guide
When selecting
a cage for your bird, there are many factors that should be considered in order
to insure a comfortable and safe environment for your pet. Here are a few tips
to make the decision easier for you:
You get what you pay for
It is in your best interest to purchase a cage from a trusted source and a
trusted brand name. Many stores and Internet retailers sell no-name cages at
very low prices; unfortunately these no-name cages are often more of a hassle
than a bargain. Missing and damaged parts seem to be a common occurrence with
bargain priced cages. Also, most no-name cages do not use non-toxic finishes,
which can be dangerous and deadly to your bird. If the cage is not from a
trusted brand name, it will not come with any type of customer support if you
should encounter any problems with your purchase.
Proper design for intended species
Vertical Bars – For Finches, Canaries and all non-climbing species
Horizontal bars – for Parakeets, Parrots, Cockatiels and all climber
species
Most cage companies now manufacture cages that have horizontal bars on
the sides of the cage with vertical bars on the front and back of the cage.
Wire Spacing
3/8" suitable for Finches and
extremely small birds
1/2" general purpose for Parakeets,
Canaries and all medium-sized birds
5/8” suitable for Cockatiels and small parrots
3/4" suitable for Cockatiels, Doves, African Greys, Amazons, Eclectus, etc.
1" suitable for all medium to large birds such as Greys, Amazons, Macaws
1" + suitable for large Macaws, Cockatoos and other large birds
Inside cage dimensions
Should allow your bird to comfortably spread its wings
Should allow your bird to turn 360 degrees without tail feathers touching cage
bars
Should have ample cage base depth for birds who do not sleep on perches
Should have added cage height for climbing birds
Should provide ample room for toys and related treats
Special Features
Seed guards to help control the mess
Wood perches with proper access to feeder bowls
Multiple feeder cups with ample holding capacity
Access door should be large enough to easily place your bird inside
Bird-proof safety door latches
Cage Construction
In most cases, cost does dictate the amount of quality put into cage
construction