That Bird Blog – Bird Care and History for Pet Birds
Throughout my zoo-keeping career, I’ve always favored, at least as captives, the smaller members of any particular group of animals. Be it amphibians, fishes, mammals or birds, smaller creatures are more easily provided with large, complex living quarters…and in such, they are likely to display a greater variety of natural behaviors and to reproduce.
Consider This….
I like to apply the same concept to pet parrots. While the huge species are spectacular, most folks can more easily accommodate Cockatiels, Budgerigars, Grass Parakeets, Lovebirds, Bee Bee Parrots and similarly-sized birds. But rather than keeping them in a standard “small parrot cage”, consider providing them with an “avian mansion”. A pair of Lovebirds housed in a cage suitable for a pair of Amazon parrots will amaze you with their antics – more so, in most cases, than the species for which the cage was designed.
Increased space is sometimes a powerful breeding stimulus, and encourages your birds to remain active and in good physical condition. Large cages can be decorated with real and artificial vines and provide space for hiding treats and adding a variety of toys, all of which go a long way towards improving the quality of your pet’s life.
Suggested Cages and Aviaries
Our extensive line of Medium Parrot Cages is a good starting point for those considering larger quarters for small parrots. Built with African Grays, Eclectus, Amazons and similar species in mind, many will also serve very well as luxury accommodations for smaller birds.
In addition to increased flying and climbing space, many of these cages offer other advantages – for example, the roof of the Playtop Cage is equipped with perches, a seed tray and hooks for toys, the Fan Top Victorian Cage, which stands over 5 feet high, has a large storage area below, while the Triple Stack Cage, which tops 6 feet in height, allows for the housing of 3 pairs of birds or multiple individuals.
For the ultimate in bird homes, please take a look at our Outdoor Aviaries.
Discounts and Free Shipping!
Our cages prices are up to 60% lower than those offered by local and chain pet stores, and we offer free shipping on the aforementioned models and many others.
Further Reading
For more thoughts on the importance of cage size, please see Bird Rooms, Bird Cage Overview and How Much Room Does a Finch Need.
Agapornis personatus image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by Magnus Manske and Snowmanradio
Hello Frank,
I was considering adapting the enclosure I built last year for anoles to acomodate some zebra finches(the enclosure di not work too well as anoles seemed to find even the tiniest gaps and manage to escape). What kind of material would be appropriate? It has window screen and hardware cloth sides. I hear that hardware cloth is inappropriate because of the risks of zinc poisoning-though it seems this is much bigger with birds that like to chew. And window screen I think would be real difficult to keep sanitary. If I have to replace these sides-what material would you reccomend?
Thoughts would be much appreciated!
~Joseph
Hello Joseph,
Hardware cloth is fine for finches, as you suggest, mainly a concern for parrots…I like it because it allows insects to enter, which is always appreciated by the birds. Zebra finches outdoors should be lots of fun, Enjoy,
Good luck and please keep me posted.
Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.
Hello Frank,
Awesome-that saves me from replacing that one side-hardware cloth is definetly more difficult to remove than windowscreen.
One thing I haven’t seen mentioned is how to clean such enclosures. Thoughts? Also, would a solid wall(maybe plywood) be beneficial to reduce exposure? Also some kind of canopy(maybe canvas or clear plastic) to shelter from rain?
Thanks again!
~Joseph
Hello Joseph,
Sand or Cypress Bedding works well, easy to spot clean; cypress tends to keep mold at bay; bird cage cleaners can be used for the screening.
A solid wall is a good idea, unless you’ll be using plants to create a screen – having at least 1 solid wall is a basic rule in zoos for most animals. I would also create a canopy as you describe, or provide a water-proof wooden shelter.
Good luck, enjoy and please keep me posted.
Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.
Hello Frank,
Thanks for that info. How many finches would be appropriate? I was thinking of just a pair, but I wonder if a trio would work or not?(eggs would be pulled most of the time for the eggeaters) Zebras appear to be quite strictly monogamous so I wonder if such would cause fighting between the females or whether both could be convinced to take their own nestboxes. That being said-I’ve seen and heard of zebras managing to raise offspring in cages at stores packed with finches-but I’d guess one pair had to successfully monopolize the nestbox.
All the Best
~Joseph
Hello Joseph,
A single pair is easiest to manage; multiple pairs often works better than 1 male/several females…males may fight but adding plants/sight barriers and, especially, excess nest boxes (i.e 4 boxes for 2 pairs helps). But they are quite flexible, and females sometimes “share” a male in large cages.
Good luck and please keep me posted.
Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.
Interesting, thanks!
Another thing, I’ve also looked into diamond doves, but have heard mixed reports on whether they would get along. This cage seems to be on the small side. Would love to hear your thoughts on, say, a pair of zebras and a pair of diamonds.
Oh, and right now is trash pickup week…and one persons trash truly is another’s treasure. I picked up a broken door that was intact on one side with a glass window…sawing that in half just made a nice front for this mini aviary. Also picked up a kid safety gate that will work for a maintenance door near the bottom.
Thanks a bunch!
~Joseph
Hello Joseph,
Thanks, glad you enjoyed. Diamond Doves can be kept with finches but you would need more room than the cage you had in mind; they are not overly aggressive, but will chase other birds away from their nest – as long as the finches have room to move off, there are no problems. In close confines,. However, they would be hard on smaller birds.
You might enjoy this article on Diamond Doves also.
Good ideas re the door and gate – I used to make turtle/frog ponds out of discarded clothes dryer tubs – out own take on recycling!
Good luck and please keep me posted.
Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.
can i miix lovebirds&parokeets togather, thanks,what.47
Hello
Thanks for your interest. In general, lovebirds are difficult to mix with other species. An unpaired lovebird might get along with an unpaired budgie, but 2 of either species will usually fight with another. A good deal depends on the birds’ histories, sexes, species and the size of the enclosure. Please feel free to send in more details if you wish.
Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.