How to Choose a Cage for a Cockatoo

Co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Last Updated: June 22, 2021 References

Cockatoos are intelligent, inquisitive birds that need lots of living space. Picking the right cage can enrich your cockatoo’s life considerably. Choose a cage that is both roomy and safe enough for your cockatoo. Once you’ve picked a cage, select appropriate accessories, and maintain the cage properly.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Choosing the Right Features

1
Make sure you have a good place to put a cage. Cockatoos are social birds that need lots of interaction with members of the family. Make a space for your cockatoo’s cage in a well-protected area of a room where your family spends a lot of time. If possible, choose a warm spot with lots of natural light that is away from drafts and high traffic areas. You could, for example, place the cage in a well-lit corner of the living room.
- Cleaning up after your cockatoo will be easier if you place the cage on a tile, wood, or linoleum floor.
- You can also place the cage on a rug to help protect your flooring from water, food, or bird droppings.
2
Buy a large cage. Cockatoos are not small birds, and they need to be able to flap their wings and move comfortably around a cage. At a minimum, the cage should be at least 4 feet (1.2 m) or 120 centimeters high. The cage’s width should also be three times the wingspan of your pet cockatoo. This will allow the bird to move freely inside the cage.
- Always buy the largest cage you can afford or that fits in your living space.
- The wingspan of a cockatoo varies by breed, with some having larger wingspans than others. Research the twenty different breeds of cockatoos to determine the average wingspan for your particular cockatoo.
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3
Select a cage that is wide rather than tall. Vertical or tower-like cages are not ideal for cockatoos. They tend to move horizontally in the wild, rather than straight up and down. If you can, select a cage that is wide and deep, rather than narrow and tall.^{[1]
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The shape of your cockatoo’s cage matters. A rectangular cage will give your bird the most range of motion. A round cage, on the other hand, will provide your bird with less freedom. Pick out a rectangular cage whenever possible.
Stainless steel is the best construction material for a cockatoo cage. Make sure the cage is made from stainless steel and not other metals. Metals like zinc and lead can be toxic for cockatoos and should be avoided entirely.^{[2]
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6
Make sure the cage doors lock. Cockatoos are smart birds that can easily open the doors of a poorly constructed cage. Buy a cage with doors that lock. This will prevent your cockatoo from escaping its cage, getting lost, or being attacked by other household pets like a dog or cat.^{[3]
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- If the cage doors don’t lock, you can secure them with a carbine hook.
It is easier for a cockatoo to walk on horizontal bars than vertical bars. When deciding on a cage, try picking one made of horizontal bars instead of vertical ones. This will give your cockatoo more space for climbing, walking, and perching.^{[4]
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8
Get a cage with bars that are 2.5 cm (1 inch) apart. Proper bar spacing is important for your bird’s safety. If the bars are too narrow, your cockatoo could get its beak or a toe stuck in the bars. If the bars are too wide, there’s a risk that the bird’s head could get stuck. A spacing of about 2.5 cm (1 inch) is ideal for cockatoos and other large parrot species.^{[5]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Setting Up the Cage

1
Check your cage for rough edges. Once you’ve picked a cage that meets your criteria, run your hand around the inside of it before you buy it. Feel for any sharp edges or rough welds that might hurt your bird and make the cage harder to clean. If you find any trouble spots, select a different cage.^{[6]
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2
Place a birdbath in the cage. You can improve your cockatoo’s personal hygiene with a birdbath. Try placing a bath pan or ceramic dish in the bottom of the cage. The pan or dish should be about 12 inches or 35 centimeters wide. Fill the birdbath with lukewarm water.^{[7]
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- Clean the birdbath daily. If you notice food or excrement in the bird bath, try to clean it up right away.
Your cockatoo will need 1-2 perches mounted inside its cage. Each perch should be about ¾ inch or 2 centimeters in diameter. Place the perch away from food or water dishes to avoid contamination.^{[8]
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Cockatoos need lots of mental stimulation. A great way to keep your cockatoo busy is with toys. Try hanging a puzzle toy in your cockatoo’s cage. You can also hang fabric toys that will encourage your cockatoo to use its beak.
Some cages come with removable liners, making it easier to clean the cage. Consider buying a cage that includes a custom liner. You can also add a commercial pan to the bottom of the cage to use as a liner, or some old newspaper.

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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Maintaining the Cage

Regular cage cleaning is an important part of keeping your cockatoo happy and healthy. Remove the liner from the bottom of the cage every day and dispose of any bird droppings or food. Replace with a clean liner.^{[9]
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Food and water dishes can easily become soiled. It is important that you keep them as clean as possible. Remove the food and water dishes from your cockatoo’s cage daily. Wash them in hot, soapy water, dry them, and then return them to the cage.^{[10]
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3
Deep clean the cage once a week. Each week, you will need to deep clean your cockatoo’s cage. In addition to replacing the liners and washing the food and water dishes, you will need to clean the cage itself with hot, soapy water. You should also clean any toys or perches in the cage, as well as vacuum or sweep the floor around the cage.
- Make sure you remove any broken toys or pieces of the cage during the cleaning.
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