The parrot cage is probably the most important item you can purchase for your new parrot. From your parrot’s perspective, the cage is his sanctuary. He needs to feel secure in his cage – “at home” in a very real sense. Consider the cage your parrot’s bedroom. It’s where he goes to spend some time alone, to beef up his self confidence, as well as to fully relax without the threat of any intruders.

The size of cage will depend very much on what you intend to keep.  Canary bird cages can be reltively small.  Cockatiel bird cages and parakeet caged need to be larger, while macaw cages need to be very large!  In fact, the type of parrot you can keep will very much depend on how much space you have available.

Avian experts say that being without the security of a safe cage is the main cause of many parrot behavioral problems, including the loss of sleep and the failure of receiving adequate exercise.

While you need a cage large enough for your new friend you may need a “starter cage” if you bring home a baby bird.

Your baby bird needs the security of a nest in the first few days or even weeks of her stay with you. this is especially true if your parrot is an African Grey, Poicephalus or a Cockatoo.

Actually, both the psychological and physical consequences of an ill-fitting cage are numerous – and none of them is especially good. For example, a cage that’s too large may be too difficult to climb if it has too many vertical bars and not enough horizontal ones.

Additionally, you really don’t want the perches to be too large for him either. He may thrash about and fall. Or, the chances are he may start demanding more of your attention, or revert to needing to be hand fed.

But that’s not all that could occur as a result of a cage that’s too large for your avian youngster. He may also chew his feathers, squawk excessively or develop aggressive or fearful behaviors.

If you notice your bird thrashing about or falling more than a foot off his perch, transfer him to a smaller cage as soon as possible. This provides him with the security he needs. I know that this may be an additional expense on your part. But, you can always use this smaller cage later either as a travel cage or as a roost cage. Many parrot owners have a roost cage that they use as a parrot’s “bedroom.” It’s a cage, set aside, where the parrot can go and get some uninterrupted sleep.