CAGES 

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Finding the right bird cage is not only for the well being of your bird but also your wallet. Most bird cages are made of solid steel or wrought iron and can cost thousands of dollars. Even though it can be expensive, a solid steel or a wrought iron cage is best for large birds. Brass is sometimes used as a material in building bird cages. However, one should be very careful to avoid these cages as brass is made with zinc and can lead to zinc poisoning in your bird.

One of the most important things to remember is to make sure your bird cage is clean. Unlike humans birds do not have hands so they have to use their mouths to climb about their cages. Dirty cages plus mouth contact is a very bad combination and can lead to sick or even the death of your beloved bird.

There are three different kinds of cages for birds: floor cages, table cages and hanging cages. Floor cages are usually medium to large sized cages and most are on wheels. These types of large cages are too heavy to hang from a ceiling. Most table cages are hanging cages that have not been hung up. Hanging cages usually come in only small sizes.

Because birds are not color blind you need to decorate their cages with color, especially their favorite colors, contrary to the myth that says all animals with eyes on the side of their heads are color blind. It is true that some animals with eyes on the side of their heads are indeed color blind, but not birds. Birds love and need color. Birds are diurnal (opposite of nocturnal) and light is needed to show color so they can find their food. Birds also use color to find mates. Birds have favorite colors and as an observant owner it is your job to discern their color preferences. So experiment: put different colored toys in your birds cage. Your birds cage should literally be filled with all the latest colorful bells and whistles. Birds love swings, perches, mirrors and clay licks.

My parrot loves to play while hanging up-side down on his bells and ropes. Remember, birds love attention and just because he/she has lots of toys does not compensate for the lack of your personal attention. ~Anthony Benjamin~

Anthony Benjamin, an avid writer, world traveler and a great lover of nature. He shares his adventures with his readers via his writings and via his hobby of building websites such as this one: http://www.appalachian-treasures.com