Accommodating a caged bird.

I just bought another new cage for Chica... this makes it the 8th cage I've had for her in the 9yrs since getting her.

Back when my knowledge of macaw behavior was novice, and my budget was limited my first few cages were used, freebees, or in relatively piss-poor shape lasting less than a year before succumbing to wear and tear. "You get what you pay for" definitely holds true for large bird cages.

Other cages I've bought ended up getting replaced when they proved to be too small for her comfort, or when changes in my lifestyle or living situation required downsizing to make up for space.

In all this fighting with cages, trying to find the right fit, and having tried so many different shapes and models I've grown to learn a lot about what makes a suitable habit for a bird, and what to look for in a cage. As a result, I've come to a few conclusions:

• Most used cages just aren't worth the "savings" - especially if they're not a good quality brand. Once that little tiny bit of rust starts to show on the lower tray, the rest definitely doesn't seem far behind, not to mention additional wear and tear damage that the birds themselves will inflict upon the powdercoated finish.
• There seem to be a lot of flaws with a lot of cages that lead me to believe they weren't actually designed by bird keepers. Things like the positioning of doors and food dishes, design of latches, prevention of build-up of waste in hard to reach places, etc. all become areas of annoyance in real-life use.
• The majority of cages out there marketed to be used for large birds like macaws are way too small. It seems a cage of 40"x30" footprint is considered the "norm" for American macaw cages (Conversely, in Switzerland it is recommended to have a minimum of 12'X6' sized room for a macaw). When your bird has a tail length that can exceed 30" in length, the "minimum standard" does not allow much room for proper preening and stretching, and it would be a shame to see such beautiful feathers damaged by constant contact with the cage bars.
• Parrots are not well suited to being confined in a cage. Nature designed them for flying and climbing through the wide open and forested canopies - something that could never be replicated in the corner of a living room. Trying to find the "perfect" cage will always be an exercise in futility.

It is a bit of an ethical conundrum when someone decides to keep a parrot as a companion animal. They are very much wild animals at heart, yet Chica is a far cry from being a "wild" parrot. She is reluctant to fly, she has a tendency towards laziness when it comes to foraging for food or exerting effort in chewing, and her obsession with mashed potatoes and pizza crusts lead me to believe that her pallet would not take well to the bitter uncooked foliage of the amazon rainforest. Through the unfortunate circumstances of generations of captive breeding, hand-raised by humans, and only ever having the knowledge of what it's like to live with humans as companions, Chica (and other birds like her) cannot return to the wild and rely entirely on that which can be provided in the life of captivity.

In a better world these animals would not be sold so casually as pets, and those few people seeking to bring them into their home would be highly qualified and able to demonstrate a significant amount of knowledge and dedication to ensuring they receive the best possible care for life. I find myself extremely fortunate to have ended up with Chica, and I am constantly reminded that birds like her are not appropriate pets for those people who are unwilling to make adjustments to accommodate the bird as life throws new challenges. At 23yrs old Chica is still relatively young for a macaw, and she could potentially live to 60 or 80 years. It is believed that I am at least her 4th home after previous owners encountered various financial and family life changes that made them unable to accommodate her. In the time I've had her I have changed jobs, moved a couple times, gotten married, started a family, and encountered so many situations in which many people might consider rehoming their pet bird... and yet through it all she has adjusted and continues to be a part of my household.

In the end I keep trying the best I can to give her an enriched and comfortable life - even if doing so means changing her furniture on a nearly annual basis.