Is it right to keep pet birds in cages? - Vet Help Direct (2024)

Birds are a popular pet across the globe and there are many different types of birds that are kept as pets. Common species include parrots, doves, budgies and even birds of prey! However, is it right for us to keep birds in cages? After all, they have evolved to take to the skies and explore great distances.

I have mixed feelings about keeping birds in cages. On the one hand, many owners can provide a safe and loving home for birds, however, on the other, denying an animal’s instinct to want to fly free can seem a little restrictive. Let’s have a look at the debate about keeping birds in cages and what alternatives could be introduced instead.

What are the pros of keeping birds in a cage?

There are some pros to keeping birds in cages, as opposed to flying free. Keep in mind though that wild birds should never be kept in cages. If a wild bird is placed in a cage, it is likely that it will die from stress from not being able to exhibit natural behaviours.

Safety

Keeping birds in cages keeps them safe. Not only does it keep them safe from causing injury to themselves, but it also protects them from predators. However, if you also have a predatory pet, such as a cat or dog, then these should not be allowed to interact with the bird.

Pet birds will usually have a lack of survival instinct. If they were to be released, it is likely that they would not be able to look after or defend themselves. Cages keep birds safe from harm.

Gives them their own space

Birds usually form strong bonds with their owners and need a lot of interaction. However, a cage provides a bird with a space to call its own and allows them to feel safe. A cage can provide everything that a bird needs in order to survive, such as a safe space to sleep.

Prevention of disease

Keeping birds in cages reduces their chances of contracting infections and diseases that may be caught by wild birds. If your bird was to interact with a wild bird outside, then there is a possibility of them contracting an avian disease.

It is also likely that they may struggle to overcome a disease more than a wild bird. This is because their immune systems would not be as strong as their wild cousins. Keeping your bird in a cage can keep them free from different types of disease.

What are the cons of keeping birds in a cage?

Naturally, there are cons to keeping birds in cages. One of the most prominent is that most birds are not kept in cages that are substantial enough for them to be able to fly great distances.

Poor airflow

Birds that are in cages can be susceptible to respiratory disease due to poor air flow. When we compare the air within a cage, house or aviary to that of the outside world, there can sometimes be a questionable difference in quality.

No flying ability

In many instances, birds that are kept in cages would need to suppress their need to fly. Many traditional cages are quite small. To put it into context, a wild parakeet can fly up to 20 – 30 miles in a day, without stopping to take a break. When we compare this to the space a captive parakeet has, there is no comparison.

You could compare this to fish that live in fish tanks compared to the ocean. Fish in the ocean can have endless room to swim and explore and when this is compared to the space in a fish tank, their space is reduced on a phenomenal scale.

Easy to become bored

Imagine you spend 90% of your time in one room – it would become pretty boring. Birds that are kept in small and barren cages can become bored and exhibit health problems such as hair plucking, inappetence and even death.

Cannot display natural behaviour

There’s no doubt about it, birds cannot do what they have evolved to do in a cage. Unfortunately, by placing birds in cages, it can make them stressed, anxious and irritated.

How can we keep caged birds happy?

The pet industry has boomed, and the demand for exotic pets has increased. If you are going to keep pet birds, you need to keep them happy. After all, there is a vast market for pet birds that have never known what it is like to be free.

Pet birds that are kept in cages should be kept healthy and happy, and their enclosure should be adequate for their size and breed.

Provide a large enclosure

There is an easy rule with the size of bird cages. Bigger is always best. Provide the largest cage that you can so that they have plenty of space to fly and stretch their wings. If you’re wanting to know the sizes for a bird cage, then at an absolute bare minimum, the width of the cage should be 1 – 1.5 times the width of your bird’s wingspan, and long enough for them to be able to swoop or soar.

In reality though, the cage needs to be substantially larger than this in order for your bird to be happy.

Keep the enclosure clean

If your bird lives in a cage, the environment needs to be kept as clean as possible. Birds are prone to respiratory infections, so the cage should be spot-cleaned daily and deep-cleaned weekly.

Plus the fact, if your bird is spending the majority of its time in the cage, it needs to be clean and free from excrement.

Allow your bird time out of the cage

Birds need to spend time outside of their cage. They need to be able to spread their wings and fly. If you’re letting your bird outside of its cage, do make sure that any windows and doors are closed and that there are no other animals around that could attack your bird.

Provide plenty of stimulation

Birds are highly intelligent creatures and need to be provided plenty of stimulation, both mentally and physically. Bored birds are not happy birds and boredom can cause unwanted behavioural problems, such as feather plucking and self mutilation.

Final thoughts on birds in cages

At the end of the day, there is a large demand for exotic birds within the pet trade. Whilst in some instances it may not be fair to keep birds in cages, in others it may be unavoidable. If you are wanting to keep a pet bird, then it is your duty to provide it with the best home possible where they can be happy and stress free. Make sure that your cage is big enough for the species of bird that you have and that you can offer it the biggest cage possible.

Further Reading:

• How should I house my bird? – RSPCA Knowledgebase
• Keeping your pet birds safe – PDSA

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