Skip to main content
FurCalc

Bird Cage Size Calculator — Parakeets to Macaws (15 Species)

Minimum cage dimensions for 15 pet bird species from finches to large macaws, with correct bar spacing to prevent escape or injury.

Calculator

Enter inputs to enable Save / Email
Minimum cage size
24″ × 24″ × 30″
L × W × H · Bar spacing: 0.625″ · Perch spacing: 10″ · Lifespan: 15–20 yr

Bar spacing matters

Too-wide bars risk escape and head-trapping. Cockatiel needs 0.625″ spacing or less.

Cage minimums assume daily 2-4 hours out-of-cage time. Birds confined 24/7 need substantially larger cages.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big a cage does a cockatiel need?

Minimum 24"×24"×30" with 5/8" bar spacing. Cockatiels need horizontal flight space — wider is better than taller. Out-of-cage time 2-4 hours daily is essential.

What size cage for a budgie / parakeet?

Minimum 18"×18"×24" per budgie with 1/2" bar spacing. For a pair, use 30"×18"×18" or larger. Budgies are highly active and do poorly in small cages.

How big a cage for an African Grey?

Minimum 36"×30"×48" with 7/8" bar spacing. African Greys are highly intelligent and need extensive enrichment — a larger cage and daily out-of-cage time is more important for them than most species.

What size cage for a macaw?

Mini macaws (Hahn's, severe): 48"×36"×60" with 1" bars. Large macaws (blue-and-gold, green-wing): 60"×48"×72" minimum with 1.25" bars. Larger is always better.

How often should my bird be out of the cage?

Minimum 2-4 hours daily supervised out-of-cage time. Ideally more for intelligent species (African Grey, Amazon, cockatoo). Isolation leads to feather-plucking and behavioral issues.

Sources & References

  1. [1]
  2. [2]
  3. [3]

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Height over width — birds fly horizontally. Wider beats taller for welfare.
  • Bar spacing too wide — small birds (budgies) can get heads stuck. < 1/2 inch for small parrots.
  • Sandpaper perch covers — cause sores. Use natural branches instead.

Pro tips

  • Minimum 2× wingspan in all 3 dimensions. Bigger is always better.
  • 3-5 different perch diameters to exercise feet.
  • Rotate toys weekly to prevent boredom.