Casey's Bird Cage
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How Big is Your Bird's Cage? One of the most common problems in Parrotlet-keeping today is not providing our
feathered friends with the size of cage they need. Housing a bird in an
undersized cage can lead to all of the worst behavioral problems found in pet
birds: screaming, phobic behavior, biting and aggression, and feather plucking.
A common misconception is that a cage is a place of confinement. We do not think
of a cage as a place of confinement but as a home and comfort zone, similar to
the way we view our own homes. This is where the food is kept and where the
familiar water bottle hangs. When a Parrotlet is under stress, you will probably
notice that he or she is most relieved when returned to its cage. Pet birds
spend a vast majority of their time housed within these four walls. Just think,
if you just take the amount of time you are not at home (when the bird should
not be left out of its cage) and add it to the number of hours the bird needs to
rest and sleep (at least 12), the average bird will be in its cage at least
twenty hours a day and sometimes more. Leaving the bird's door open or not
confining a bird at all is extremely dangerous and totally unacceptable. A
person is inviting disaster when ignoring this important rule of thumb. The
reasons a bird needs a cage are many. First of all, they need a wide variety of
perches to keep their legs and feet properly exercised. They need different
textures as well as different diameters. It is very difficult to provide a bird
with adequate perches on a playpen. Even if you are able to provide them, the
Parrotlet will spend the vast majority of its time on the highest perch. When
the bird is in its cage, it is more secure and comfortable and will use all of
its perches at some point in the course of a day, not just the highest one. At
the very least your bird will play with different toys and venture to its food
and water sources. Also, when the bird is on the top perch of a playpen, where
are the toys hanging? You could tie one to a rope connected to the high perch
but it tends to get pooped on, and even then it is only one toy. They need a
variety of toys just like they need a variety of perches. For the sake of
argument, let's assume the Parrotlet had all the proper perches and toys in a
playpen setting and actually used them. It's not completely unheard of, but it
begs the question: Where is the bird getting its water? All Parrotlets should be
drinking from water bottles, not water bowls, and I have yet to see a playpen
with an apparatus to support a drinking bottle. The point is, it is impossible
to provide a pet bird with a proper, safe, and comfortable living environment
without a cage. The most obvious consideration when selecting a cage is the size
of the bird. Parrotlets need to be able to flap their wings and stretch them out
to full wingspan. A factor that often gets overlooked when looking at cages is
that these cages will be occupied by not only the Parrotlet but also food bowls,
three to four perches, at least three toys and with whatever else the owner
decides to spoil the bird. These objects, while absolutely necessary,
dramatically cut down the amount of open space in the cage. Another important
determinant is the bird's activity level. You will notice some discrepancies
between birds and the size of the cage required. A good example is a parrotlet.
If you have ever spent time around parrotlets, you know that they rarely stop to
catch their breath. They are very playful and are rarely in a state of rest. For
these reasons, they need a larger sized cage than the slightly larger budgie
that has only a moderate activity level. Round cages cannot be used. They do not
give your pet a point of reference and will can lead psychological problems.
Also, the vast majority of commercial Parrotlet products are not made to attach
to a curved surface. If you are having any problems with your Parrotlet, look
closely at its cage size. This is often the root of many different problems. If
you currently have a cage that is too small, use the suggestions below as
guidelines and you will be on your way to an improved relationship with your pet
bird!
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