Cage size for an Eclectus-sized parrot?

Sterling1113

Sterling1113

New member
Feb 15, 2014
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Dallas area, Texas
I would like to have the cage and toys set up before I bring home a bird in the next month or so, and I was wondering what the minimum dimensions would be for an Eclectus/Yellow Collared Macaw/Galah Cockatoo/birds around that size?

Keep in mind the bird will be out of the cage nearly all day, as long as he/she gets along with my two conures, and will likely only be in the cage if I have to run errands that don't involve me bringing my birds. :p

Also, I keep seeing "sleeping cage"... are birds supposed to have a second, smaller cage (other than a travel cage) just for sleeping? My two conures share a cage and they have a nest box they like to sleep in, or if the door is open they nap on top of the cage.
 
I'd say a cage that is 36" wide and 24" deep would be a good size cage for an Ekki. :)

Some people use sleep cages, I personally do not, so I can't offer any advice on what cage you would need IF you decided to get a sleep cage as well.
 
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Okay, cool. I was worried that birds *had* to have a sleeping cage, and I was just now hearing about it lol...
Also, how tall should it be?
Like, if it's one of those attached to a stand with a shelf under it, about 4"? Or eye level with me? (I'm 5'7")

On another note.. I have an appointment with a parrot rescue about an hour and a half away from me! Going on Tuesday at 11 AM to see the birds and go over my adoption application.. :)
 
Here is Jasper's (bare eyed too) cage. He is out all day on his play stand though. He very much prefers being out of his cage but has the space if he needs it I guess. Lol. No sleep cage for my birds.
 
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Ekko's cage is 39.25X30.75X60 with 1"spacing. I don't use sleep cages either as all my guys are in a bird room that we stay out of after bedtime for them:)
 
I do use a sleep cage for Bixby. This is for two reasons. First, and most important, the family room where his main cage is located is close enough to the living room that he might be kept up late at night by the TV or late night talking and laughter. Getting enough sleep is HUGE for parrots.

Second reason is that Bixby's sleep cage doubles as his carrier and sleepover cage. So anytime he needs to spend a significant amount of time in there, he'll already be used to it. Makes it less stressful to him when the time comes to travel, you know?
 
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Good point about Bixby and his cage.. I'll definitely look into that. I sort of let my birds dictate their own bed time, as even if the cage is open the conures usually settle down around 10-11.
The reptile's lights are all on timers and they're all off by 11:15 so they're sort of in that habit. We rarely have guests over and when we do it's during the day, as by 10:00 I'm already getting sleepy! haha. We also don't cover the conures because they retreat to their nesting box, so they have the "4 corner" security already.
 
I've always heard a general rule of thumb is 2X the birds FULL wingspan. Of course, that's the minimum. The bigger the cage the better :D
 
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I found this one and I really like it for some reason. Input? It just not as long as the dimensions mentioned above by a few inches. Also I'm having a hard time finding something in between this size or smaller for $120-$160 and then the HUGE corner cages for $500+.. seems like a pretty big jump haha.. If anyone wants to throw out some websites they've ordered cages and/or toys from feel free! :)

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Wrought-Parrot-Ladders-Include-Hammertone/dp/B00CXEA7D6/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1392920235&sr=8-10&keywords=parrot+cage]Amazon.com: New Large Wrought Iron Bird Parrot Cage Double Ladders Open/Close Play Top, Include Seed Guard and Play Top *Black Hammertone*: Pet Supplies[/ame]
 
I'd recommend 40" x 30", minimum. I have a 36" x 28" for my galah (a little smaller than an ekkie I think?) And honestly once I put toys and perches in it feels kind of small to me.

Whether or not to use a sleep cage just depends on your routine, and where the cage is. My birds have their own room and that's where the cages are, so no need for extra sleep cages. But if I had my galah's cage in the main living area then she would have a sleep cage in the bird room as we do stay up late sometimes.
 
This here is one of the best values, size for your money-wise. From what I've read it isn't top of the line quality, but it's okay as long as you don't have a bird that's really brutal on cage bars (like a hyacinth macaw).

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Prevue-Hendryx-Silverado-Macaw-Bird/dp/B006GRA5JM"]Amazon.com: Prevue Hendryx Silverado Macaw Bird Cage: Pet Supplies[/ame]

There is indeed a big price jump between small parrot and large parrot cages. But I agree that the one you linked to is far too small. It would be fine as a sleep cage though.
 
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I would like a play top, or something I can put a play top on. As long as the bird isn't going to tower over me! :p

I'll check out those websites, I briefly grazed ebay but I rarely use that website so I lost focus pretty quick haha..


Wow! Kingscages must be awesome for what they're wanting for their cages..
 
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I used a 26x36 for an Ekkie and it was fine. It's a fairly roomy cage. Maybe it looked even bigger due to the fact that it was deep (all the way to the ground). Eclectus are strictly tree dwelling species and don't use the bottom area, so it was wasted space. Also they are not super active. I'm not saying they sit all day, but they're not hyper and hopping around all the time like some species. Raven has the cage now, and it's MORE than big enough for him.
 
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I'm not decided on getting an Ekkie unless there's one at this rescue and it decides to bond to me.
Really my more realistic options of a bird are more along the lines of a mini macaw/galah cockatoo/alexandrine. Maybe an amazon if one takes to me, I'm not looking for any one in particular. I just used the Eclectus as a size comparison.:p
 
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I like that cage!:D
I just wish it wasn't $450 :(
I guess we have more saving up to do than I thought!
Oh well. I'll be saving links to good cages and checking craigslist like always.. haha. I'd rather wait a little longer than get a cage that will make my birdie unhappy!
 
Figure you'll be spending between $300-$500 for a suitable large parrot cage. Keep in mind though, it is pretty much a one time purchase. You have to try very hard to destroy a parrot cage, so it's worth it to invest in a nice one with all the features you want.

I found this one on amazon, and it's a super good price- [ame=http://www.amazon.com/Petco-Designer-Brown-Standing-Parrot/dp/B004HL1MBE/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1392922106&sr=8-4&keywords=large+parrot+cages]Amazon.com: Petco Designer Mink Brown Standing Parrot Cage: Pet Supplies[/ame]

For a medium-large parrot, this is an acceptable size provided they will be out of it a lot. Kiwi's cage is roughly this size, but he also has a huge play stand that's about the size of his cage and is out of his his cage more than he's in it.

For a bird that will be in their cage for hours at a time each day, something this size would be more appropriate so the bird has more room-

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Extra-Large-Wrought-Parrot-Dometop/dp/B004ZN7EHU/ref=sr_1_67?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1392922371&sr=1-67&keywords=large+parrot+cages]Amazon.com: Extra Large Wrought Iron Bird Cage Parrot Cages Macaw Dometop 40"x30"x67" *Egg Shell White*: Pet Supplies[/ame]
 
I use a 36x24 inch cage for my ekkie and CAG, i just bought one for my lesser cockatoo also. They are out almost all day and they seem to do well with that size.
all of my cages are the pervue hendrix brand. I have heard a lot of bad about them but they have worked just great for me and they are a decent price.
It may be because neither of my birds chew on their cage bars. I may be changing my tune when i get my too :) but for now i am a happy customer.
 
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