Parrot Cage Size Guide for Different Species

Use these minimum dimensions as a starting point when shopping. Measure the cage itself, not the overall height including a stand or play top. 

These are minimum recommendations, not a reason to stop shopping when you find the first cage that checks the box. Always try to give your birds as much space as possible. 

Your parrot needs enough room to fully extend their wings and move without bumping into the bars. A cage also has to be roomy after you add perches, food and water bowls, and enrichment toys. 

Remember, size is only one part of the equation. The materials, bars, doors, and overall setup must also be safe for your bird. 

Small parrots need enough room to move comfortably and use several perches and toys. A minimum cage size of 20 x 20 x 30 inches is needed for budgies, lovebirds, and parrotlets, with 1/2-inch bar spacing. 

A small bird can make surprisingly good use of extra space. Going larger will give you more room to add enrichment without creating a cluttered setup, and can give your bird the ability to fly short distances inside the cage. 

Medium-sized parrots such as conures, caiques, and ​​​​Poicephalus parrots, including Senegals, need a noticeable step up in space. At least 36 x 24 x 48 inches is recommended for this group, with 3/4-inch bar spacing. 

Keep your individual bird in mind, too. Birds within the same general group can vary in body size and tail length, so make sure your parrot has enough room to stretch and move after the cage is furnished. 

For African greys, Amazon parrots, and small cockatoos, try to find an enclosure that’s at least 40 x 30 x 60 inches, with 3/4-inch bar spacing. 

For macaws and large cockatoos, the minimum increases to 48 x 36 x 66 inches, with 1 1/2-inch bar spacing. 

Large parrots also need sturdy cage construction and enough interior room for larger perches, toys, and food bowls. Avoid turning every open spot into toy storage. Enrichment is important, but so is space to move. 

Numbers on a product page are helpful, but the finished cage tells the real story. A cage that technically meets a minimum measurement can still feel cramped once it’s filled with accessories, so look at the usable space your bird will actually have.  

Once the cage is set up, check that your parrot can: 

• Fully extend both wings without touching the bars or cage contents 
• Move comfortably between perches 
• Sit without their tail rubbing against the cage 
• Reach food and water easily 
• Use toys without losing movement space 

Also remember that the phrase “parrot cage” covers a lot of ground. Parrots range from tiny parrotlets to huge macaws, so a cage marketed for parrots may not be suitable for every species. 

A bigger cage is not safer if the bar spacing is wrong. Proper spacing prevents a bird from fitting their head between the cage bars, and allows a bird to grip the bars comfortably for climbing. 

For example, a roomy macaw cage is not appropriate for a budgie, as the larger gaps between the bars are unsafe for a much smaller bird. So always check both the cage dimensions and bar spacing before buying. 

Usable space matters more than height or width alone. Width gives birds room to stretch, fly, and hop between perches, but long-tailed parrots also need enough height and depth to keep their feathers clear of the walls. 

Look at all three interior dimensions (length, width, height) rather than being dazzled by a towering cage. A tall, narrow cage can still leave a parrot short on practical movement space. 

Two parrots need more space than one, and compatibility matters as much as dimensions. Each bird should have room to move away from the other whenever they want, and should have easy access to their resources (food, water, toys) without feeling crowded. 

Do not assume two parrots should share a cage simply because they are the same species. Individual birds may not be comfortable living together, and introductions should be handled carefully. 

An avian veterinarian can help you decide whether cage sharing is appropriate, and can recommend a setup based on the birds’ species, behaviors, and individual needs. 

At minimum, a cage should let your parrot fully extend their wings without touching the sides.  

More usable space is generally beneficial, but the cage must still have safe bar spacing, secure construction, and an appropriate setup. Adequate size does not cancel out a safety problem. 

Budgies need a minimum of 20 x 20 x 30 inches with 1/2-inch bar spacing. A larger cage can provide more room for movement and enrichment. 

African greys need at least 40 x 30 x 60 inches with 3/4-inch bar spacing. Your bird should still have plenty of open space after perches and toys are added. 

Macaws need 48 x 36 x 66 inches at a minimum, with 1 1/2-inch bar spacing. Because different types of macaws vary in size, talk with an avian veterinarian if you are unsure about the type of cage that’s appropriate for your macaw species.