Finding the right cage for your bird is one of the big choices you’re going to make! Next to what “type of bird to get” and “what food is best for them“! Hopefully, this article makes your decision just that little bit easier!
There are many things to consider when choosing a cage. When deciding on a cage, take into account the size of your bird. A cockatiel is considered a medium-sized bird, so you should be looking for a large-sized cage to give them the space they deserve!
**Fun Fact** Male cockatiels are better at talking and whistling than females! In the wild, males use their skills to attract females!
Table of Contents
- Best Cage Size For A Cockatiel
- What Every Cockatiel Cage Setup Needs
- Where Should A Cockatiel Cage Be Placed?
- Cockatiel Transport Cages
- 3 Best Cages For Cockatiels Under $200
- Recap
Let’s get into it!
Best Cage Size For A Cockatiel
Like I’ve said in the into, a cockatiel is a medium-sized bird, which means they need a large-sized cage to be happy and free as a bird! Cockatiels, like any bird, jump, flap, and clamber around their cage, so they need plenty of room to do so to keep active!
Try to remember, the larger the cage, the more comfortable the cockatiel is going to be! Needless to say, the more cockatiels you have, the bigger the cage needs to be. Ideally, a cage needs to be “24 inches long by 18 inches wide by 24 inches high.“
Long Story Short:
- Try to get as large a cage as possible.
- Ideally, no smaller than 24″ by 18″ by 24″.
- Try to find a lock for your cage, as cockatiels will try everything they can to escape!
What Every Cockatiel Cage Setup Needs
Cockatiel cages need a wide variety of things to be complete. Usually, a setup will include Perches, Climbing Material, 3 Bowls, and Toys. Let’s get into each one of these in greater detail!
Perches
Perches are essential for a cage setup; not only will they help your feathery friend get around, but they also act as a workout for your birds’ little feet to mimic how they would be in the wild! Perch’s are important for any setup!
It’s important to get different types of perches for your bird to enjoy. The main types of perches are Rope, Wood, and Platform Perches, and each one is vital for your birds’ lifestyle! When buying wooden perches, remember to buy different shapes and sizes to mimic different branches from the wild! Your bird will appreciate it!
Platform perches have a completely different but essential benefit for your cage! Everyone needs a break, and that includes your cockatiel. Platform perches give your cockatiel a break from clenching on to the other perches and let them rest their little feet.
Climbing Material
Climbing material is important for keeping your bird stimulated while getting around their home. You can get many types of climbing materials, from ropes to little ladders. However, they should be part of every setup in some shape or form!
Food/Water bowls (Plastic or Stainless Steel?)
All birdcages need a minimum of 2 bowls but ideally 3 if you can find the space! Each bowl provides a function. The first bowl will be for water, the second bowl for dry food (Pellets), and the third bowl for Fruits and Vegetables. It’s a good idea to keep their food separated for hygiene reasons!
There is a crucial reason the subheading says “Plastics or Stainless Steel” Ideally, you want to get rid of the standard plastic bowls and swop them out for stainless steel ones. Stainless steel bowls are easier to clean and don’t accumulate as much nasty bacteria
You don’t want them to get sick from what they’re eating out of!
Toys (Paper, Wood, Palm Leaves)
Toys are mentally stimulating and can keep your bird happy! No one likes to sit around all day with nothing to do, and the same goes for your bird! There are many great toys to choose from made out of materials that have been proven to give your bird the most joy.
Try to find toys made out of Paper, Wood, or Palm Leaves. These materials make for easier tearing and are not as dangerous if mistakenly swallowed. Absolutely stay away from plastics if you can. If ingested can cause problems.
Foraging Toys
These toys are ideal for mimicking what your parrot would be doing naturally in the wild by spending time picking things apart to reach the treat in the middle. Foraging toys can keep them occupied for a time while at the same time stimulating their basic instincts.
If you’re looking for an article on how to quieten down your cockatiel when all else fails, Give my article a go “Are Cockatiels Loud” There are great tips and tricks to help keep the noise levels down!
This leads me on to the next topic!
Where Should A Cockatiel Cage Be Placed?
Cage positioning can be more important than you think. Birds have a keen sense of smell! Ideally, you want to have their cage positioned in an open space away from the smoke of the kitchen and fragrances of Air fresheners.
Many kitchen pot ware and pans are made from Teflon, which usually is no big deal to humans. However, if overheated and burnt, Teflon emits harmful poisonous gas for birds, and in some serious cases, with no ventilation, it can cause some serious respiratory issues.
For a great little article definitely worth a 2-minute read, here is a link to “Birdcage.com” about cockatiel cages.
Cockatiel Transport Cages
Sometimes, cockatiels need to be moved from place to place, or if you need to clean their cage and don’t want them to be out and about. Having a secondary transport cage can be handy. Roughly the ideal size for a transport cage should be 50cm long, 30cm High, and 42cm wide with two bowls for food and water if needs be and a single perch for them to rest.
The best way to coax your cockatiel into a travel cage is to rest them on your hand and while stroking their head move their tail-first into the cage. This way, they won’t feel trapped entering an unfamiliar cage.
You don’t want to stress them out anymore than you need to!
3 Best Cages For Cockatiels Under $200
Many cages are suitable for cockatiels. I am going to mention have some things that I have found handy or just plain great for a cockatiel. Things like easy-to-remove waste trays & Play Tops are ideal for any birdcage!
As an extra, I will add in a cool travel cage “Colorday Lightweight Bird Carrier”
Super Deal Pro
The Super Deal Pro was placed first as although it is the most expensive on this list, coming in at $122, It has everything you need in a birdcage and then some. Plus free replacements for damaged parts!
The key features that made me choose the “Super Deal Pro” for first place.
- It has a play top AND bowls on top of the cage. Ideal for bonding and hanging out.
- The cage has a food catcher around the outside for when food is dropped from the top.
- You can easily replace the waste liner at the bottom of the cage.
- The cage comes with 5 bowls and a perch!
- The door has a lock, so no unwanted escapes!
Yaheetech 64″ Open top
The Yaheetech is more compact with fewer features but is great if space is an issue. Definitely worth making the list! Priced at £176.99, this cage has every bit of kit needed for a good home.
Key features of the “Yaheetech”
- Slim and Compact for a snug fit in a smaller home.
- The roof play area opens and closes/Locks for easy access and safe sleeping.
- Has two access doors for your bird or you to choose where they want to come from!
- It has easy-to-change waste liner access!
And last but not least.
Rolling Bird Cage
The rolling bird cage comes in third as it is the smallest birdcage on the list with the fewest features but still a good birdcage nonetheless. Priced at $92.49 for its rustic style.
Key features of the “Rolling Bird Cage“
- Coated in corrosion and dust resistant paint, this cage is sure to last as long as you have a need for it!
- Just like the “Yaheetech” the top opens up like an episode of MTV Cribs for a great open play area.
- Both front doors (one for smaller birds and a larger front door) come with locks to keep your mind at ease at night.
- Has an easy to remove waste liner at the bottom of the cage for an easy clean!
And finally as an extra: “Colorday Lightweight Bird Carrier“
Colorday Lightweight Bird Carrier
This is a pretty cool travel birdcage! Ideal for moving your cockatiel around from place to place! Priced at $78.88 Definitely worth the money!
Key Features of the “Colorday Lightweight Bird Carrier“
- Lightweight, weighing only 1.5kg with a shoulder strap to distribute the load.
- Clear view all around the carrier to reduce your birds stress as they can see their surroundings.
- Ventilation holes to guarantee a good supply of oxygen!
- Comes with a perch, 2 bowls and a removable floor for easier cleaning!
Pretty cool if you ask me.
This leads me to the final section of this article.
Recap
If you’ve made it to the end and are now reading the recap! Thanks for reading! In this section, I like to cover the article’s highlights and go over the necessary information.
Highlights Of The Article:
- We have covered what the ideal cockatiel cage size should be, Ideally, no smaller than 24″ by 18″ by 24″.
- What every cage setup should have and why bowls should be stainless steel and not plastic!
- Where a cage should be placed to keep away from that harmful Teflon!
- Why transport cages are necessary.
- The 3 best cages I have found under $200, plus a bonus Travel cage!
Any Questions you have relating to this article or just for me in general, leave a comment down below in the comments section.
Disclaimer: I am not an expert on bird behavior or bird diet. These methods should not replace getting expert advice in any shape or form. If your bird does show any adverse reactions to any foods, seek a veterinarian’s guidance as soon as possible.
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