Songbirds may not like to be handled, but they do enjoy company. Place your songbirds’ cage in a draft-free area, out of direct sunlight, where they can watch and be watched. Don’t place the cage under or near an air conditioning unit or vent, or in the kitchen.
Select as large a cage as possible. The minimum suggested size is 60 centimetres long, 30 centimetres wide and 30 centimetra tall. Width is more important than height, as songbirds fly back and forth, rather than up and down.
A rectangular, metal cage with vertical bars is best. Wood or wicker cages may be attractive, but are impossible to disinfect. The bars should be no more than 12 millimetres apart, to prevent the bird from getting their head stuck. Line the bottom of the cage with newspaper or paper towels.
Provide your songbirds with plenty of perches of varying diameters. Pesticide-free branches from non-toxic trees such as apple, elm, or maple make natural and attractive perches. Finches, in particular, will appreciate the privacy that the leaves offer.
Wood, plastic and hemp perches can also be purchased. Monitor hemp or rope perches carefully, as the fibres can become tangled around the bird’s toes. Avoid perches made of synthetic fibres or covered in sandpaper, which can cause irritation to the feet. Concrete perches can help keep the nails and beak properly worn down, but provide some non-concrete perches as well.
Food and water dishes should be made from easy-to-clean, non-toxic materials. Be sure not to place them on the bottom of the cage, which is the bird’s toilet, or directly under a perch. Each bird should have a separate food container, ensuring that those on the bottom of the pecking order have a chance to eat.
Songbirds love to play and explore. Ladders, ropes, swings and mirrors can all provide necessary entertainment. Check all toys for potential dangers. Mirrors must have a covered back to avoid exposing your bird to potentially toxic reflective backing. If your bird bores easily, rotate the toys regularly. You can also provide your bird with a cuttlebone or lava rock to help keep the beak and nails properly worn down.
To keep your songbirds’ habitat clean, change the cage papers daily. Food and water dishes will also need daily disinfecting. Clean and disinfect the cage at least once a week. Toys and perches will need occasional disinfecting as well. Replace wooden perches periodically as they cannot be properly disinfected.
Remember to rinse all items thoroughly after disinfecting.