Selecting a bird cage

A number of considerations are involved in the purchase of the "right" cage.

Proper Design For Intended Species

• Vertical Bars - for Finches, Canaries, and All Climbers
• Horizontal Bars - for Parakeets, Parrots, Cockatiels, and All Climbing Species.

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 cocktaiels, doves
• 1" suitable for all medium-to-large birds such as African greys.
• 1"+ suitable for macaws, cockatoos and other large birds.

Inside Cage Dimensions

• Should allow birds to comfortably spread wings
• 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 capacity for toys and related treats

Special Features

• Seed guards
• Soft wood perches with proper accessibility to feeder cups
• Multiple feeder cups with ample holding capacity
• Sufficiently large doors for easy access and to accommodate bird's size
• A practical method of locking and securing doors

Swing Style

• Proper dowel diameter for species
• Proper hanging depth from top
• An appropriate size that will not over-crowd cage
• Possibility to be sturdily secured to top cage bars

Cage Construction

• In most cases, cost does dictate the amount of quality put into cage construction
• All plastic parts should have thick walls, especially in corner areas. Look for warpage and hairline cracks
• Metal parts should not have any sharp edges. They should encompass solid multi-welds and should have an adequate application of plating or paint coverage
• Generally speaking, all-steel constructed cages are preferable due to their longevity value and their ability to withstand more shock and cleaning than their plastic counterparts.

Cage Finish

• Clear lacquer applied to all plated parts
• Use of non-toxic, baked paints only