🦜 Birdcage Size Calculator

Choose a bird species and number of birds to see the minimum recommended cage size and bar spacing.

Minimum Recommended Cage Size (W×D×H, cm)

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Recommended Bar Spacing (mm) —

This calculator provides a general guideline based on commonly published aviculture / humane-society guidelines — individual bird health and behavior vary, so please consult an avian veterinarian or breeder for advice specific to your bird.

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Minimum Cage Size by Species

The table below shows commonly published minimum cage sizes (W×D×H, cm) and recommended bar spacing (mm) from aviculture and humane-society sources. These are minimums, not ideals — bigger is essentially always better for captive birds.

Species	Min. Size (W×D×H, cm)	Bar Spacing (mm)
Budgerigar	46×46×46	12mm
Cockatiel	51×51×61	12-16mm
Lovebird	51×51×61	12-16mm
Conure (small/medium)	61×61×61	16-19mm
Canary/Finch	61×46×46	10-12mm
African Grey	81×61×91	19-25mm
Macaw (large)	91×122×152	25-38mm

Canaries and finches need more horizontal flight space than height, which is why their recommended width exceeds their height. These figures are commonly published aviculture/humane-society guideline ranges and can vary somewhat by source — they are minimums, not a precise standard.

Housing Multiple Birds Together

When housing multiple birds in one cage, simply multiplying cage volume by bird count is not appropriate. Instead, this calculator applies the principle of "always provide the largest cage you can and prioritize extra width (horizontal flight space) over height," along with a rough starting-point formula: recommended minimum width = base width × (1 + 0.3 × (number of birds − 1)). This is a rough guideline, not a precise standard — actual space needed for multiple birds varies a lot based on species social behavior (whether they naturally flock together, territorial tendencies, etc.). Consult an avian veterinarian or a breeder experienced with the species to determine the actual housing setup.

Frequently asked questions

Are the sizes in the table ideal sizes?

No, these are minimums. More space is essentially always better for captive birds, and species that fly a lot should be given as much room as possible.

Why do canaries/finches need more width than height?

Canaries and finches tend to fly horizontally rather than climb vertically, so horizontal space matters more than height — this is a common guideline in bird-keeping references.

Should I multiply cage size by the number of birds?

No, simple multiplication is not recommended. This calculator only offers a rough width-scaling formula as a starting point — in practice, provide the largest cage you can and consult an avian specialist about the species' social behavior to decide the actual setup.