Birds
Parakeet cages
Little things. Happy tails.
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All parakeet cages
Little essentials. Lots of love.
A little guidance
Help choosing parakeet cages
Buying guides and care advice written for this range: what to measure, what matters and what to skip.
From our guides
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These are cages and aviaries suitable for budgies (parakeets) and other small birds: rolling metal cages with stands and slide-out trays, wide flight cages, stackable double cages, starter kits, and indoor and outdoor wooden aviaries. The page is for anyone setting up a first budgie or upgrading to a cage with room to fly, and it explains which sizes are really big enough.
How big should a budgie cage be?
Budgies are active fliers, and length matters more than height because birds fly side to side, not straight up. LafeberVet recommends a cage at least 18 inches wide and long for a parakeet, and the Merck Veterinary Manual lists a minimum of 20 by 20 by 30 inches for budgerigars, cockatiels and lovebirds. Treat those as floors, not targets.
Budgies are social, and LafeberVet suggests keeping them in pairs or groups, which means more space again. A flight cage or aviary gives a pair room to fly short distances, which is the best exercise a caged bird gets. Bigger is almost always better, as long as the bar spacing stays small.
Bar spacing and safety
Small birds can get their heads stuck between widely spaced bars. LafeberVet gives about 3/8 inch for parakeets and the Merck table lists half an inch for this group. Large parrot cages often have wider bars, so a big cage sold for parrots is not automatically safe for a budgie. Check the spacing figure before buying.
Look for horizontal bars on at least two sides, which budgies use for climbing, doors that latch securely, and a slide-out tray and grate so droppings are out of reach. Rolling stands make it easy to move the cage for cleaning but should be locked in place.
Perches, toys and layout
Give a mix of perch diameters and textures; LafeberVet suggests roughly 3/8 to 3/4 inch for parakeets and advises against sandpaper perch covers, which are too abrasive for feet. Natural wood branches of varying thickness exercise the feet better than identical smooth dowels.
Place perches so they do not sit directly above food and water bowls, and leave open flight space down the middle of the cage. Add a few toys and swings, and rotate them, but do not clutter the cage so much that your birds cannot move.
Where to put the cage
Budgies like company, so a room where people spend time suits them, with one side of the cage against a wall for security. Keep it out of the kitchen, where cooking fumes can be dangerous to birds, and away from drafts and direct sun.
LafeberVet notes that household temperatures of about 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit are generally acceptable. Outdoor aviaries need shelter from wind, rain and midday sun, plus protection from predators, and should be checked daily.
Cleaning and health
Change tray liners every day or two, wash food and water dishes daily, and scrub perches and the grate weekly. Wooden aviaries need more attention than metal cages, since wood absorbs droppings; scrape and dry it regularly.
Fluffed feathers, sitting low on the perch, changes in droppings or a bird that stops eating are reasons to see an avian vet promptly. Birds hide illness well, so small changes matter. Keep a note of your bird's normal weight and droppings so changes are easy to spot.
What size cage does a budgie need?
At least 18 inches wide and long by LafeberVet's guide, and 20 by 20 by 30 inches by the Merck Veterinary Manual. For a pair, or for more flight, choose larger.
What bar spacing is safe for parakeets?
About 3/8 to 1/2 inch. Wider spacing, common on large parrot cages, can trap a budgie's head, so always check the spacing figure. Ask before buying a secondhand cage too.
Is a parakeet the same as a budgie?
In the United States, parakeet usually means the budgerigar, or budgie. Other parakeet species are larger, so check the cage suits your bird's size. Measure your bird if you are unsure.
Should budgies be kept in pairs?
Budgies are social flock birds, and LafeberVet suggests keeping them in pairs or groups. A pair needs a larger cage with room to fly. Introduce a new bird slowly.