Best cage I've seen!

serge_09

New member
Aug 8, 2013
69
0
Leicester, England, UK
Parrots
Lola - GreenWing Macaw
So scouting round the net I come across this amazing cage!

https://www.cagesbydesign.com/p-218-majestic-bird-cages-72h-x-144l-x-48d.aspx

Absolutely love it and when I move out that's the kind of thing I'll be after.

Typical it's American only though you guys have all the luck! Lol

Suppose I'd have to delve deeper into getting something made up. Has anyone seen anything else better than this wonder for indoor caging? Please share :)
 

Kiwibird

Well-known member
Jul 12, 2012
9,539
111
Parrots
1 BFA- Kiwi. Hatch circa 98', forever home with us Dec. 08'
It is beautiful in the sense of the craftsmanship and attention to detail, but personally, I would never keep my bird in something like that. It's not practical and reduces the area a bird has to utilize. I know Kiwi uses every square inch of his cage (climbing around on the bars, hanging from the top to play with a toy, climbing up on top of the cage ext...). Because of the design, you've eliminated 1 area to climb while inside (the back wall) and you couldn't let a bird be on the exterior of something like that (they'd rip it up). Plus, it's not like you can just roll that outside and give it a good hosing down every month. That would be a mega-pain to clean. I know the big metal bird cages are pretty darn ugly, but they have come out with some nicer designs in recent years. Kiwi's current cage has a pretty scalloped top that opens into up so he can go in and out. Nothing like a hand carved wood cage, but not as bad as the giant rectangle or dome either (aesthetically speaking), though still just as practical. And if you're REALLY into having an aesthetically pleasing looking bird area, you can achieve that without an impractical cage and limiting your birds movements while in the cage. You can buy tropical or rainforest-themed whole-wall decals (similar to what they have in those cages, only covers an entire wall) to put behind any cage for around $75-$200, depending on the size of the wall.We used to have one behind Kiwi's cage in our old apartment so he had something nice to look at and it protected the wall from his mess. We also keep his cage on an attractive decorative rug and have some planters with fake tropical plants on the sides of his cage, so his area actually looks really pretty and tropical, is easy to clean and protects the carpet but doesn't stick out as an eyesore in the living room. Though, never forget birds aren't decorative even if you are a little OCD about keeping a BHG-worthy design style like I am. Kiwi's needs come FIRST and I decorate around him.

All of this is just my opinion of course :D
 
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Birdman666

Well-known member
Sep 18, 2013
9,904
258
San Antonio, TX
Parrots
Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
Well, I hate to burst your bubble BUT... (And yes, I have seen them in person.)

1. While it looks nice initially, the wood becomes a chew toy for a macaw, and soon it looks like crap...

2. Plexy does not breathe well (gets hot) and does not give the bird anything to climb around on. It is, however, a pain to clean when it gets pooped on every hour or so...

3. He can't play on top of the thing. (Which my big macs would hate!)

4. Because it's wood, you can't just haul it out back and pressure wash it, so it gets and stays dirty faster...

5. This sucker is difficult to move around.

6. And they are EXPENSIVE!

7. IF YOU REALLY WANT A TOP FLIGHT MACAW CAGE GET ONE OF THOSE GIANT STAINLESS MOTHERS... LAST CAGE YOU WILL EVER NEED!

THIS IS "DA BOMB" OF MACAW CAGES RIGHT HERE: http://www.centurionaviaries.com/cages.html AND THEY MAKE THEM ON WHEELS WITH A SLIDE OUT GRATE...

HOWEVER, if you look at this company's outdoor flights - NOW YOU'RE TALKING! I WANT ONE OF THOSE... Particularly that 10.5 x 12 number with the solid roof!

But these I don't like, and I think you would quickly find you had buyers remorse when the impractical aspects of this thing hit home...

I MEAN A MACAW CAGE YOU CAN'T PRESSURE WASH?! EEWWWWW!!!
WHAT GOOD IS IT?!
 
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Birdman666

Well-known member
Sep 18, 2013
9,904
258
San Antonio, TX
Parrots
Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
Now i'm lusting for an outdoor flight again!

I just hate it when that happens...
 

Mattroma

New member
Oct 22, 2013
186
0
Ma
Parrots
Quinn- Harlequin
Lemon and Blueberry Budgies
I had one of their reptile cages a few years back and was very disappointed. It was years ago and from pictures it does appear that they have made some upgrades available, but I would be hesitant to spend the money without seeing it in person.
 

Mekaisto

New member
Jan 8, 2014
503
0
Melbourne, Australia
Parrots
Zookeeper who has worked with many bird species, and owner of a cheeky red-tailed black cockatoo (Ash)
.
These types of cages are really good for finches or wrens, but for a parrot I'd pass.
.
 

Gizmomania

Banned
Banned
Aug 25, 2012
599
0
San Diego
Parrots
Duskies: Gizmo & Niko, hatched 3/12 & 5/12; pineapple GCC: Skittles, 5/10/13; Pan Am: Harley, 1/27/13; CAG: Maalik, 7/27/13; Eclectus: Ziggy, 4/4/04; BHC: Walter 6 y; baby Jardine's: Bogart-May!
Oh, I really want that huge walk-in beauty. Too bad they aren't closer to me.
 

MikeyTN

New member
Feb 1, 2011
13,296
17
Antioch, TN
Parrots
"Willie"&"Lola"B&G Macaw,
"Dixie"LSC2, and "Nico" Scarlet Macaw.
Plexiglass can pass air well IF there's holes drilled in it. I've done it before when I built mine years ago, BUT it needs to be one that you can walk into to clean. I used to walk inside of mine and clean. My birds got used to be doing so. I use wash clothe to wipe down the plexiglass then use a dry clothe to dry it so it won't streak too bad. BUT I do agree that age doesn't do well with a Macaw who's gonna try to get into places to destroy as much as they can. I have one right now and it's a pain to clean cause it's not a walk in. Thus the reason why I'm gonna build another one sometime soon and sell this existing one cause I am tired of cleaning it, it takes me hours to clean.....
 

Betrisher

Well-known member
Jun 3, 2013
4,253
177
Newcastle, NSW, Australia
Parrots
Dominic: Galah(RIP: 1981-2018); The Lovies: Four Blue Masked Lovebirds; Barney and Madge (The Beaks): Alexandrines; Miss Rosetta Stone: Little Corella
If you scroll a bit past half-way on Birdman's page:

Centurion Cage & Aviaries | Cages

you'll come to a cage called 'Double'. That's the one I got for my Beakies to live in. It's not quite an aviary, but it does allow them to fly and get plenty of daily exercise. It has a divider so I can put them in one side while I clean the other and then vice versa. It has height and width and depth so it's absolutely spacious without that sensation of a bird sitting, looking straight ahead with his eyes fixed on empty space (like the original solid oak cage with plexiglass - YUCK!) So yeah. If anyone's looking for a great, bigger cage - check out the Double. It's excellent! :D
 
OP
S

serge_09

New member
Aug 8, 2013
69
0
Leicester, England, UK
Parrots
Lola - GreenWing Macaw
  • Thread Starter
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suppose i was more taken by the beauty of it and less by the practicality. but that's why im here, all the useful points and experience from others.

looking through that centurion site some of them outside aviary's are amazing! could just imagine one outside under the trees with plants growing around it (all bird safe of course!)

just not sure how i feel about leaving her (and the others that would join her) outside alone, would it be wrong to keep lola as my indoor parrot, dont want to kick her outside! lol

hmm a lot to dream about now... lol
 

Birdman666

Well-known member
Sep 18, 2013
9,904
258
San Antonio, TX
Parrots
Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
Plexiglass can pass air well IF there's holes drilled in it. I've done it before when I built mine years ago, BUT it needs to be one that you can walk into to clean. I used to walk inside of mine and clean. My birds got used to be doing so. I use wash clothe to wipe down the plexiglass then use a dry clothe to dry it so it won't streak too bad. BUT I do agree that age doesn't do well with a Macaw who's gonna try to get into places to destroy as much as they can. I have one right now and it's a pain to clean cause it's not a walk in. Thus the reason why I'm gonna build another one sometime soon and sell this existing one cause I am tired of cleaning it, it takes me hours to clean.....

Yeah, but these aren't drilled out.
 

Birdman666

Well-known member
Sep 18, 2013
9,904
258
San Antonio, TX
Parrots
Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
If you scroll a bit past half-way on Birdman's page:

Centurion Cage & Aviaries | Cages

you'll come to a cage called 'Double'. That's the one I got for my Beakies to live in. It's not quite an aviary, but it does allow them to fly and get plenty of daily exercise. It has a divider so I can put them in one side while I clean the other and then vice versa. It has height and width and depth so it's absolutely spacious without that sensation of a bird sitting, looking straight ahead with his eyes fixed on empty space (like the original solid oak cage with plexiglass - YUCK!) So yeah. If anyone's looking for a great, bigger cage - check out the Double. It's excellent! :D

I've got a double Kings for my macaw, but I have seen quite a few of these, and they are solid... When my older cages wear out, that's what I'm planning on upgrading to.

I LOVE the huge Centurion aviary cages, but I also love the huge cages by design outdoor flight... those are my two favorites.
 

MamaFuzz

New member
Oct 7, 2013
97
0
Pennsylvania
Parrots
GCC - Chico
Senegal - Indy
If you check the toxic list for our birds post in general parrot information it lists oak and red maple as toxic woods. That cage is either made of oak or maple. To me it would not be at all safe. Especially since on top of toxic woods there is either a stain or paint that would probably be toxic as well. They do have other 'custom' wood and stain/paint options on request but the fact they are advertising it for birds when the standard options are toxic would make me avoid that company.
 

Kiwibird

Well-known member
Jul 12, 2012
9,539
111
Parrots
1 BFA- Kiwi. Hatch circa 98', forever home with us Dec. 08'
suppose i was more taken by the beauty of it and less by the practicality. but that's why im here, all the useful points and experience from others.

looking through that centurion site some of them outside aviary's are amazing! could just imagine one outside under the trees with plants growing around it (all bird safe of course!)

just not sure how i feel about leaving her (and the others that would join her) outside alone, would it be wrong to keep lola as my indoor parrot, dont want to kick her outside! lol

hmm a lot to dream about now... lol

Don't know if you'd want to get into a $3000 aviary setup per se, but most people have outdoor cage for their birds. Parrots like being outside, and so long as they aren't living out there, I'm sure your bird would love to spend a couple hours outside a day (weather permitting) enjoying the fresh air. The one thing with outdoors, you CANNOT just leave your birds out there while your not home or for any extended period of time without checking on them (like while your at work or out running errands). It's fine (when they're in a cage) for you to be inside the house while they're outside, but you need to be able to check in on them every so often (just like letting your kids play in the yard). We knew a guy who left his CAG in a huge, secure flight cage on the patio while he was at work every day. One day though, the bird tipped it's water dish and by the time he got home from work, the bird had died in the summer heat of dehydration. Parrots aren't aviary birds, and in a domestic home setting, they deserve to live indoors with your family. Outside time for pet birds is a recreational activity for them, not where they live. People have these big visions of outdoor aviaries and their parrots being "closer to nature" by living out there. All you end up getting though is a semi-feral bird due to it's reduced interaction with people and sometimes it ends up killing the bird. Unlike nature, most people live in areas where parrots kept as pets are not adapted or able to survive in the outdoor climate and they can't just fly off to meet a need they have (food, water, shelter). If you would like to put in a fabulous outdoor aviary for your birds to hang out in on occasion while your home kind of thing, that would be very nice, and I'm sure they would love it, but they can't live out there.
 

Gizmomania

Banned
Banned
Aug 25, 2012
599
0
San Diego
Parrots
Duskies: Gizmo & Niko, hatched 3/12 & 5/12; pineapple GCC: Skittles, 5/10/13; Pan Am: Harley, 1/27/13; CAG: Maalik, 7/27/13; Eclectus: Ziggy, 4/4/04; BHC: Walter 6 y; baby Jardine's: Bogart-May!
I'm dreaming of having an outside aviary that's flush to the outside kitchen wall with a 'window' from the cage into the kitchen window. I envision my fids flying around in my dining room, but also having the capability of flying out the window and into their outside aviary.
 

MikeyTN

New member
Feb 1, 2011
13,296
17
Antioch, TN
Parrots
"Willie"&"Lola"B&G Macaw,
"Dixie"LSC2, and "Nico" Scarlet Macaw.
Plexiglass can pass air well IF there's holes drilled in it. I've done it before when I built mine years ago, BUT it needs to be one that you can walk into to clean. I used to walk inside of mine and clean. My birds got used to be doing so. I use wash clothe to wipe down the plexiglass then use a dry clothe to dry it so it won't streak too bad. BUT I do agree that age doesn't do well with a Macaw who's gonna try to get into places to destroy as much as they can. I have one right now and it's a pain to clean cause it's not a walk in. Thus the reason why I'm gonna build another one sometime soon and sell this existing one cause I am tired of cleaning it, it takes me hours to clean.....

Yeah, but these aren't drilled out.

Thus the reason I said "IF". :)
 

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