Bird Cages: interest abounds

What is our interest in birds? What part do they and the places they reside have to do with us? According to Jane Goodall (reference to her book: Hope for the Animals and Their World):

"The big problem is we must conserve their habitat. None us yet know the
role of that particular seemingly insignificant little creature or what
part it may play in the entire ecosystem . Pull out one strand and it may
begin to fray; this has happened several times."

I believe there is a camaraderie between people who are conservationists, bird watchers and protectors with those who choose to keep birds a little closer than in the wild or in their back yards. I believe that the goal of both those who have birds as pets and those who observe them at a greater distance is to enjoy the positive qualities that birds offer, do what they can to protect their species, and to provide them with quality of life. Having a Parrot bird cage or a Cockatiel bird cage with the accompanying beautiful bird in the cage makes for a great companion.

Does this not lead us to the topic of bird cages which appeared as early as centuries ago when travelers began to return to their homes bringing exotic birds as pets and gifts from foreign lands? The birds and the bird cages were often exhibited as an ornamental addition in the hallways and windows of their castles. Even now, one often sees in homes a collectible bird cage displayed in a place of honor. Of course, many of the collectible bird cages (or their copies) are not appropriate or safe to use for birds but still make a lovely display.

Moving toward a more functional use of the bird cage, there are several factors to become aware of:

1. Both the size and type of bird that will be housed in your new bird cage must be considered. The bird cage must never be so small that the wings touch the sides of the cage. As an example, an Amazon Parrot bird cage must be a large bird cage to accommodate a large bird.
2. The time the bird will be in the cage vs. time allowed to enjoy the "outside time" (outside the cage only) is another consideration for the type of bird cage to consider.
3. Another consideration is the activity of the bird. If the bird is actually to be in flight in the cage, it will need a larger cage.
4. How the cage will be used must be considered. If the bird cage will be used for breeding, you will need more room in the bird cage and will do best with a divider cage.
5. The birds' habits and personalities need to be considered when choosing the proper bird cage. if the bird is a messy eater, a special flooring may be needed. If your bird is smart, it may be able to even open the door so you'd need special locks.
6. What material is the cage? You will want something both safe and sturdy, especially if the bird has a tendency to be a bit destructive.
7. Also, part of deciding what bird you pick will include the cost of the bird cage. Will it fit in your budget as some large cages can exceed thousands of dollars? If your bird can be accommodated in a smaller cage, you could be looking at a cage that is more than half the cost of the large bird cage.

The bird cage will be the accent to your birds life and will thus need to fit his/her needs as well as make a great display to show your love and devotion to your pet.