Caring For Pet Birds
Choosing from among the many available bird cages for one that’s just right for your pet bird can be more complicated than you’d have thought. Not only do you have to have a cage that fits well in your living space, but you must also consider that different types and sizes of cages are specific for different kinds of pet birds; you also must take into account your bird’s physical needs as well. In fact, even the bird’s psychological needs should be taken into account when you’re selecting a cage because too tight a confinement can be very distressing for a creature originally meant to fly freely through open spaces.
The first factor in choosing a pet bird cage is not merely the size of the space they’ll be in, but the ambiance of the room itself. You need to prepare a clear, secure space where the cage can sit or hang at eye level. It should be close enough to the activities of the room to allow for some social interaction with family members.
For the sake of bird health, though, the cage should also be placed away from drafts and windows, and should not sit in full sunlight. You also need to ensure that no other pets, such as cats, can get at it.
Because birds are meant to fly freely in open spaces, the bird cages they live in should be as large as you can manage. Birds need room to spread and flap their wings, and even to fly a little bit. There should be plenty of perches and toys for interest, and the space between bars should be narrow enough that they can’t get their head caught between them and can climb around on them. Good psychological bird care also dictates that you don’t use a round cage because birds need stable reference points as they climb about.
Bird cages don’t just provide a setting from which a bird will adorn your home with its colorful plumage and add sweet songs to the sounds of your household. The cage you choose can be regarded as part of the pet care you give your bird. Having the right cage is as vital to the bird’s physical and psychological health as choosing the right food. The cage will keep it safe, house its food and water, and contain entertaining toys. But it also must keep the bird’s mental health in good shape as well.