People usually start looking for a bird cage when something changes: a new bird is coming home, a youngster has outgrown a starter cage, or the current set-up has become hard to clean and a bit too smelly. The cage you choose quietly shapes everything that follows—how safely your bird can move, how easily you can keep the air and surfaces clean, and how often small problems (like foot sores or stress behaviours) start to creep in.
Below is a practical way to choose a cage that fits your bird’s body and habits, set it up in a safe spot indoors, and keep it clean without turning it into a daily battle. Where materials or placement can carry real risk—especially fumes and heavy metals—the guidance is conservative and evidence-based.1, 2
Choosing the right size and style of bird cage
Cage size is mostly about movement. Your bird should be able to fully extend and flap its wings without hitting bars, and still have room for perches, food bowls and a few toys without feeling crowded.1
Width usually matters more than height. Many pet birds travel side-to-side inside the cage more than they travel straight up, especially when they’re hopping between perches and bowls. A longer flight path makes that movement feel less like shuffling in place.
Style comes second to function, but it still matters:
- Front access: Large doors make cleaning and handling safer and calmer for both of you.
- Simple geometry: Square/rectangular cages are easier to set up and easier to scrub properly.
- Secure latches: Many parrots can work basic catches over time; choose locks that don’t rely on friction alone.
Bar spacing: the quiet safety check many people miss
Bar spacing should be narrow enough that your bird cannot push its head through. A good starting point is the bird’s body size, matched to mesh aperture guidance (measured in millimetres).1
Materials to consider when selecting a bird cage
Birds explore with their beaks. That means the cage finish and hardware matter, because flakes and filings can become swallowed.
Safest common options
- Stainless steel: Durable, corrosion-resistant, and straightforward to disinfect.
- Quality powder-coated metal: Can be suitable if the coating is intact and non-toxic; inspect routinely for chips and rust.
Materials to avoid (or treat with real caution)
- Galvanised wire/metal: Galvanising involves zinc. Birds can develop zinc poisoning from ingesting zinc-containing metal, including galvanised cage surfaces, especially if they chew them.2, 3, 4
- Old or poorly finished painted cages: If paint chips, it can be swallowed. If you can’t confirm the coating is bird-safe, choose a different cage.
If you inherit a second-hand cage and you’re unsure about the finish, treat it as suspect until an avian vet can advise. Replacing a questionable cage is often cheaper than treating heavy-metal toxicosis.
Proper placement of the bird cage in your home
Placement is mostly about air. Birds have sensitive respiratory systems, and everyday household fumes can be dangerous in a way that surprises new owners.2
Where to put the cage
- Out of kitchens and away from cooking fumes: This includes smoke, aerosolised oils, and fumes from overheated non-stick cookware (PTFE/Teflon). These exposures can be fatal.2
- A stable, well-lit room: Somewhere the bird can observe the household without being in the middle of foot traffic.
- With a “back wall”: Positioning a cage so at least one or two sides feel protected (for example, near a corner) can reduce startle and stress.1
What to avoid
- Windows, doorways and draughts: Sudden temperature changes and constant movement outside can unsettle birds, and draughts can be harsh over long periods.2
- Direct sunlight all day: Overheating can happen quickly in a glass-warmed room; aim for bright shade rather than full sun.2
- Low, floor-level cages: Being looked down on by people and pets can be intimidating; a stand that brings the main perch closer to chest height is often calmer for the bird.1
Essential accessories for your bird cage
Accessories should support three basics: secure footing, clean feeding, and safe activity.
Perches (more important than most toys)
- Use a variety of diameters and textures: Natural branches (properly cleaned and bird-safe) encourage healthier feet than a single uniform dowel.
- Avoid sandpaper perches as “nail files”: They can abrade the feet and may contribute to sores.5
Food and water bowls
- Place bowls to reduce droppings contamination: A simple shift in position can prevent a lot of bacterial build-up and wasted food.5
- Prefer stainless steel bowls: They scrub clean easily and resist damage from beaks and brushes.
Toys and activity
Offer a small selection at any one time, then rotate. The goal is steady novelty without turning the cage into a cluttered obstacle course.
Cleaning and maintaining your bird cage
Regular cleaning keeps droppings, mould, and old food from building up—good for your bird’s health, and also important for keeping your home sanitary.6
A simple cleaning rhythm
- Daily: Change food and water, remove wet food, wipe obvious droppings, and swap soiled paper/liner.
- Weekly: Wash the base tray, scrub bowls, wipe bars and doors, and clean perches that have droppings on them.
- As needed: Replace frayed ropes, cracked plastic, rusting hardware, and any toy with loose threads your bird could swallow.
Use hot water and a bird-safe cleaning approach. Avoid strong-smelling cleaners, aerosols, and anything that leaves lingering fumes in or near the cage area.2
Tips for creating a comfortable and stimulating environment
A good cage feels organised: clear travel routes between perches, predictable access to food and water, and a few changing points of interest.
Small changes that matter
- Keep one “familiar” perch position: When you rotate toys, leave at least one stable resting spot so the cage doesn’t feel entirely new overnight.
- Encourage natural behaviour: Many birds benefit from activities that involve shredding, climbing, and foraging for food rather than eating only from an open bowl.
- Prioritise time out of the cage (safely supervised): Even an excellent cage can’t replace movement and exploration in a safe room.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Choosing a cage by looks alone: Function comes first—size, bar spacing, safe metal, and a layout that you can actually clean.1
- Putting the cage in the kitchen: Cooking fumes and overheated non-stick cookware are a well-recognised risk for pet birds.2
- Using galvanised wire because it’s “sturdy”: Zinc exposure can lead to toxicosis; the risk increases if your bird chews the cage.3, 4
- Overcrowding the interior: Too many toys and perches can block movement and make cleaning harder, which usually means cleaning happens less often.
- Relying on sandpaper perches: They can damage feet rather than protect them.5
Upgrading or replacing your bird cage: when and how
A cage usually needs replacing when it can’t be kept safe or clean: rust you can’t remove, flaking coatings, bent bars, failing latches, or a bird that no longer has room to move properly.
If you’re upgrading, aim for a cage that is wider, made from non-toxic materials, and easier to access for cleaning. When you bring the new cage home, set it up fully first (perches, bowls, a few familiar toys), then allow your bird to approach it at its own pace. Some birds step in quickly; others need a few calm days of gradual exposure.
Final thoughts
A good bird cage doesn’t try to impress. It simply holds steady: safe metal, sensible bar spacing, clean surfaces, and enough room for wings to open without negotiation. Once those basics are right, the rest—perches, toys, routines—settles into place, and the bird you’re caring for gets the quiet benefit of a home that works.
References
- RSPCA Knowledgebase (Australia) – What kind of enclosure does my bird need?
- Agriculture Victoria – Owning a bird (pet birds guidance, including cage location and fumes)
- Merck Veterinary Manual – Zinc toxicosis in animals
- Journal article (PubMed) – Health risks of housing small psittacines in galvanized wire mesh cages
- Tri-City Animal Clinic – Basic bird care (housing, perches, materials)
- ACT Government – Keeping birds at home (sanitary conditions and cleaning)
Veterinary Advisor, Veterinarian London Area, United Kingdom