Parrots As Pets

Choosing from the many parrot cages to find the one that is just right for your feathered friend can be quite a task. There are so many models, sizes, shapes, and styles available. So, what should you look for in a parrot cage so your bird will be comfortable and happy and feel safe inside its home?

There is a general rule of thumb that must be used in choosing parrot cages. The minimum size cage to be considered must be large enough so that the parrot can fully extend both wings without touching either side of the cage. It must be large enough that the parrot has room to climb up and down and jump from perch to perch. Keep in mind that, when thinking of parrot cages, bigger is always better. Purchase the largest cage you can afford with bar size and spacing suitable for the specific species of parrot you own. You can apply this rule to parrots from the small budgie to the huge macaws and cockatoos.

Bar spacing is important. The bars must be spaced closely enough together so that the parrot can not stick its head between the bars and become trapped. Because of the shape of a parrot's head and mandibles (jaws), it is quite easy for a parrot to get its head outside the bars and then be unable to pull its head back into the cage. It can quite easily hurt itself or even break its neck in panic once it realizes it has become trapped.

Bar diameter is another important point to consider. Large parrots need large diameter bars for their cages. Smaller parrots can live safely in cages with smaller bars. Parrots have beaks that are amazingly strong. A big bird can easily break the bars of a parrot cage that does not have large enough diameter bars quickly and create a safety hazard or escape. A cockatiel cage, if used for a stronger conure, can quickly lose bars because the bird will work and work to break them loose at the weld points.

You want to choose a parrot cage that feels safe and cozy to your parrot. Generally speaking, parrots do not like round cages. Round cages are also more difficult to find perches that fit well, harder to clean. It is difficult to cover the debris tray in the bottom unless you custom cut paper for it. It is better to select a square or rectangular cage for your bird.

Do not select a cage that does not have at least two openings for food and water dishes. If you can locate on with four doors for food, that is even better. If you have a bird that remove its food and water dishes, slinging them around and making a mess, you can purchase clips or special dishes that prevent this activity.

Choose a parrot cage that has a large entry/exit door. Some cages have small doors inside larger doors. These are great choices for medium sized parrots. Be sure the entry door is large enough for your bird to enter and exit easily.

A bottom grate in the parrot cage that prevents the parrot from getting into dropped food that may have become contaminated is important. A slide-out debris tray is crucial so you can easily keep the parrot cage sanitary and neat.

Choose your parrot cage carefully. Then place lots of parrot toys and perches in the right size for your bird and your feathered friend will have a happy home all its own.

Technorati Tags: Cages, Parrot

Tags: Cages, Parrot

This entry was posted on Monday, May 14th, 2007 at 9:43 pm and is filed under Parrot Accessories. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.