Parrots are such intelligent and personable birds that many of us feel as if we would rather not cage them at all. Still, for all kinds of safety and sanitation reasons, it's simply not usually possible to let your bird have the run of the house unsupervised like you might with a dog or a cat. Assuming you don't have an aviary on the premises, the solution is to buy a cage that will allow your parrot some room to enjoy being a parrot.

The first criteria for selecting among parrot cages should be obvious. Your choice needs to be big enough for your bird. We wish we had $20.00 for every time we encountered an unhappy large parrot in a cage that the owners had clearly not thought through, or just happened to have lying around the house. You need to be sure that the cage is at least large enough that your bird can turn around easily and spread her wings and give them a good flapping. It's obviously better if she can jump or even fly short distances. After all, how would you like to spend your life in a room too small for you to even stretch your arms out in? The biggest cage you have room for, and can afford, is very likely the best selection.

At the exact same time, especially if your parrot is one of the smaller breeds, you need to be sure that the space between the cage's bars is sufficiently small so that your bird can't escape. Remember how we said that parrots were smart? Well, if there is a possible way out, your bird may very well figure it out. For its safety and your sanity, however, you have to do your best to ensure it doesn't happen.

Finally, before making your purchase, you should carefully examine the design of the cage. Will it be easy or difficult to clean? Can you reach the feeder without bothering your bird? You'll be doing that a lot. Are their logical places to place enough toys, mirrors, and other distractions to keep your pet healthy and happy? Like most things, buying parrot cages is mainly a matter of common sense with a little bit of knowledge thrown in. Our best advice is to learn everything you can about your bird and then consider the matter logically, perhaps consulting a veterinarian or any experienced parrot owners you know, before making your final selection."