Do birds like round cages?

Birds have been kept as pets by humans for thousands of years. Providing the proper housing for pet birds is an important responsibility for any bird owner. One of the key considerations when choosing a bird cage is the shape – is a round or square cage better for a bird? There are pros and cons to both round and square cages that need to be weighed when making this decision.

Quick Summary

There is no definitive answer to whether birds prefer round or square cages. Both cage shapes have advantages and disadvantages. Some key points:

• Round cages provide more continuous horizontal space for flight.
• Square cages allow for better placement of perches, food bowls and toys.
• Parrots tend to prefer wider cages to support their natural climbing instincts.
• Canaries and finches often do well in round cages.
• Cage size and bar spacing are just as, if not more, important than the shape.
• Getting the largest cage possible, offering ample out-of-cage time, and providing enrichment are key to keeping birds happy regardless of cage shape.

The Pros and Cons of Round Cages

Here are some of the potential benefits and drawbacks of a round bird cage:

Pros

• Round cages provide more continuous horizontal space for flight. The curved bars allow for angled flight paths around the interior of the cage.
• No corners to get trapped in during flight.
• Often have a domed or arched top that offers more head space.
• Aesthetically pleasing round design.
• Can fit well in corners of a room.
• Good for smaller bird species like canaries or parrotlets that don’t require wide cages.

Cons

• Perches, food bowls and toys can only be placed around the outer edges of a round cage, reducing positioning options.
• Doors are often smaller since they have an arched shape.
• May be harder to find replacement parts like food bowls that fit a curved cage.
• Not ideal for larger parrots that need wide cages for climbing.

The Pros and Cons of Square Cages

Here are some potential benefits and limitations of a square bird cage:

Pros

• Allows for better placement of perches, food bowls and toys throughout the cage interior.
• Can maximize use of floor space through efficient rectangular design.
• Doors are often larger and easier to access.
• Easier to find replacement parts and accessories.
• Provide more usable interior space, especially important for large parrot species.

Cons

• Corners can interrupt flight and potentially cause injury.
• Less continuous horizontal flight space.
• Bar spacing may be wider on some models, allowing small birds to squeeze through.
• Typically don’t have arched or domed tops so ceiling height is lower.

Cage Size Considerations

More important than the shape of the cage is its overall size. Bigger is always better when it comes to bird cages. Large cages allow birds more opportunity to move around and exercise their wings. Some minimum cage size guidelines based on bird size include:

• Small birds (finches, canaries): 18″ x 18″ x 18″
• Medium birds (cockatiels, lovebirds): 24″ x 24″ x 36″
• Large birds (amazon parrots, conures): 36″ x 36″ x 48″
• Extra large birds (macaws, cockatoos): At least 60″ wide

However, erring on the side of an even larger cage is always a good idea. Flight cages, which tend to be very long horizontally, are great options to allow for more flying room. The bar spacing is also very important. Too wide of a spacing allows small birds to squeeze out or get their heads stuck. The spacing should be no more than 3/4″ for small birds and 1 1/2″ for large birds.

Cage Shape Preferences by Bird Species

Certain types of birds may do better in specific cage shapes based on their natural history and behaviors.

Round Cages

Small birds that do not require a lot of horizontal climbing space, such as canaries, finches and parrotlets, tend to do well in round cages. The continuous curved bars allow them to dart around quickly in flight without running into corners. The round shape also affords them enough space to exhibit natural flocking motions. Round cages are also a good choice for very young birds just fledging since they allow for short, gentle flights.

Square Cages

Square cages are ideal for parrots and other large bird species that require expanded horizontal space for climbing activities. Parrots like macaws, amazons, conures and cockatoos need wide cages in order to comfortably spread and flap their wings. Square cages maximize usable floor space through an efficient rectangular design. The extra interior cage space also allows for better positioning of food, water, toys and perches to create activity centers for mental stimulation and exercise.

Enrichment is Key, Regardless of Cage Shape

While cage shape is certainly an important factor to consider, enriching the cage properly with perches, toys and other accessories will likely have a bigger impact on your bird’s health and happiness. Be sure to place perches strategically throughout the cage at different widths and heights to allow for comfortable roosting, climbing and reaching for toys. Rotate new toys into the cage weekly to prevent boredom. Create foraging opportunities by hiding treats and food inside puzzle toys or cardboard boxes with holes. Change up cage accessories frequently to provide novelty and excitement.

Providing ample time outside of the cage is also critical. Birds should be allowed out-of-cage time for social interaction and play for at least several hours per day, if not all day for very large birds like macaws. A roomy cage makes little difference if your bird is not given enough opportunity to stretch its wings and exercise fully. Interacting frequently with your bird provides essential mental enrichment as well.

Example Cage Size and Shape Recommendations

Here are some specific cage recommendations for common pet bird species:

Conclusion

To summarize, there are good reasons to choose either a round or square bird cage depending on your specific needs and the type of bird you own. Round cages can be a great fit for smaller birds that don’t require a lot of horizontal space, while square cages are ideal for larger parrots. However, you should not compromise on cage size and bar spacing – a spacious cage appropriate for your bird’s size is key above all else. Supplement any cage with plenty of enrichment items and out-of-cage time for a happy, healthy pet bird.