If you want your budgie to live a happy life, then buying the best budgie cage you can afford is a great start. Budgies (also known as budgerigars) are the most popular species of pet bird because they are so small and easy to look after. They’re friendly and curious pets that originally come from Australia and like to live together in flocks. Because budgies are smaller sized birds, you can buy cages for them that are smaller in size compared to other parrots.
Comparison of Budgie Cages
Name | Image | Price | Size | Weight (lbs) | Our Rating | Our Awards |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Prevue Hendryx Wrought Iron Flight Cage | Check Price | 31” x 20.5” x 53” | 19 lbs | 5/5 | Best Overall | |
Zeny Bird Cage Wrought Iron | Check Price | 25" x 17" x 53" | 27 lbs | 2.5/5 | ||
Vision Bird Cage Model M02 | Check Price | 25" x 16" x 34" | 12 lbs | 4.5/5 | Best Value | |
Prevue Hendryx Triple Roof Bird Cage | Check Price | 26" x 14" x 22.5" | 10 lbs | 4/5 | ||
Yaheetech 36″ Hanging Bird Cage | Check Price | 36" x 18" x 14" | 10 lbs | 4/5 |
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Requirements
Consider these following factors when buying your budgie cage:
Budgie cage size
To judge the correct cage size for a pet bird, consider the size of the species but also how many of these pet birds you will own. If you’re unsure, then always go for the bigger sized option. With the size of the cage considered, don’t forget to also double check the bar spacing and bar thickness is also of the appropriate lengths so that the bird cannot fit in between the bars or bend them with its beak.
The average size for a budgie or budgerigar is 18cm (7 in). So a cage to match this size needs to be at a minimum 20″ width, 24″ depth and 24″ height. Budgies like to fly sideways so sometimes people opt for designs that are more horizontal than vertical. Remember to factor in any extra toys and perches you might add when deciding upon the size of the cage.
Budgie cages for two birds
For every extra bird you add to your budgie cage we recommend multiplying the size by 1.5 to 2 times the minimum amount of space required. The more space the better as you increase the size of your flock.
Bar thickness
Whilst budgies are curious and known to chew anything they can get their beaks on, their actual beaks are not very powerful. So the bars or wire for your cage at a minimum only needs to be 2mm.
Bar spacing
Because budgies are small sized birds you want the gaps between the cage bars to be very small as well. This is why we recommend that spacing be at a maximum of 1/2″.
Budgie cage setup designs
Here’s a quick rundown of the types of budgie cages you can own. There’s the standard cage which will house your budgie for most of its life. Then there’s the flight cage which is for people owning a larger number of birds and this provides them with more flying room. A double cage sometimes gets used if you’re looking to breed your birds and you’ll also want to consider a travel cage for transportation purposes. There’s also hanging cages if you’re looking to display your birds, or if you really want to provide a lot of flight space then opt for an aviary. See the video below for a guide on how to set up a budgie cage:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuGMLJhfbE4
Price
Compared to other bird cages, budgie cages tend to be more affordable. A small travel cage (which isn’t suitable as a permanent home) can be bought for around $30 to $50. At the low end, you can get a decent standard sized cage for about $75 but this is the budget option. Expect to pay over $100 to $200 for a proper cage. Also, consider any extra toys and perches you might want to include.
Ease of use
You’ll want a cage that has a large front access door so you can easily get your budgies in and out of the cage. Larger cages that are freestanding on the floor should have wheels so they can be moved around more easily. Also, higher end cages might have small access doors for the feeding stations or even a small door near the top where a nest box can be attached. A removable tray comes as standard on the bottom of every bird cage.
Build quality
Most cages are made from wrought iron these days and will have a powdered coated finish of paint that is hard for your birds to scratch off. Aluminum and stainless steel are also used on larger cages but rarely with budgies. Avoid older antique cages from the Victorian era because these cages tended to be made from toxic materials, even though they may look decorative.
Features
All budgie cages should come with perches, feeding and watering stations and a removable tray as standard.
Where to put your budgie cage
The best places for your budgie cage will be in areas of the house where you’ll frequently see them. This makes the living room ideal. Avoid kitchens and garages because of the fumes and toxic chemicals that might be present. Also, place the birds near windows so they can be provided with natural sunlight.
5 Best Budgie Cage Reviews
When buying a budgie cage you need to think about a number of fairly important features such as the type of setup, ease of use, materials used, internal features and size. We took these factors into account when reviewing the products below.
1. Prevue Hendryx Wrought Iron Flight Cage
This is a bestselling bird cage from Prevue Hendryx for good reason. Its build quality is high, with top notch craftsmanship that includes all of the features that you would expect, plus there’s plenty of room to include extra toys, perches and whatever else you decide. The cage is also available in an even larger size as well if you want to supersize your budgies home,
We rated this as the best cage overall for budgies because of all the excess room that it will provide your birds. It even comes with a larger option size if you intend to keep a small flock of birds.
- Huge amount of space for many budgies.
- Easy to use with a number of doors for entrance and feeding/watering station access.
- Plenty of storage room beneath the cage.
- Simple to move around with castor wheels.
- High build quality and use of durable construction materials.
- A small number of customers had some delivery problems, although customer services appear decent.
^ Return to comparisons at the top
2. Zeny Bird Cage Wrought Iron
There are a lot of similarities between this cage and the Prevue Hendryx Wrought Iron Flight Cage. The Zeny cage comes at a cheaper price point and is a similar design. However, the top half of the bird cage is detachable from its bottom half which is a large storage tray. This Zeny storage tray provides plenty of room for all your bird supply needs but it’s mean the top half of the bird’s cage sacrifices its space, meaning the birds have less room to move around. This is more of a risky purchase by choosing this cage to save a few bucks over a more reputable brand.
- Detachable top half of the cage makes the cage more versatile.
- Lots of storage area for your supplies.
- Affordable.
- Made from cheaper quality materials.
- Instructions are difficult to follow during setup.
- The cage has a lot of sharp edges so it can be a bit dangerous when putting the cage together.
- The feeding cups tend to crack easily, especially during shipping.
^ Return to comparisons at the top
3. Vision Bird Cage Model M02
If you are in the market for something a bit smaller but a little more trendy than the first two, the range of Vision bird cages might be interesting to you. This cage is a lot lighter than standard iron cages so you can easily carry it to where you want it to be. It’s designed by Hari, who employ a number of bird experts and they banded together whilst designing this bird cage. The size isn’t super large but it should be ample for the standard budgie owner.
- Once it’s assembled, it’s a beautiful, sturdy cage for small birds like budgies.
- Ideal for beginner budgie owners and small kids.
- Very lightweight so it’s easy to move around the house.
- Good instructions and easy to put together.
- A number of the parts are made from plastic, which is of a high grade but still won’t last as long as metal.
- The feeding cups sit at the bottom of the cage, which isn’t ideal as waste drops down here.
^ Return to comparisons at the top
4. Prevue Hendryx Triple Roof Bird Cage
This truly looks like a home for your budgies with the triple roof design which is different from the standard rectangular bird cages available. There are also two handles that allow you to easily carry the bird cage by yourself or with another person. The cage is lightweight so hanging it from the handles is also a possibility if using a stand. Since the roof slants down it takes up some valuable flying space, but the cage still has a good bit of area for your budgies to thrive in. Very affordable for those on a budget.
- Very light and easy to carry.
- Good amount of room for flight horizontal flight.
- Inexpensive.
- Easy to assemble with clear instructions.
- The roof is removable so you can have easier access to the inside of the cage.
- The roof design with the slants, dips, and peaks make it hard for birds to fly around and play.
- The door opens upward instead of outward, so if it isn’t tied securely it can fall.
^ Return to comparisons at the top
5. Yaheetech 36″ Hanging Bird Cage
This is the smallest and lightest bird cage on the list but it still has enough room for a budgie. One feature that sets this cage apart is that it comes with a built-in swing. There are four feeding and watering stations, two very large front access doors, plus even an access door for placing in a nesting box, this makes using the cage very easy and functional. A stand for the cage can be bought separately.
- All of the features you can want for a budgie cage plus also comes with swinging perch.
- Can be hung or placed on a stand depending upon how you want it to look.
- Good for people with low budgets.
- It is easy to assemble with clear instructions.
- Comes with a number of access doors and is very accessible.
- Is made from fairly cheap materials, so not as long lasting as other cages.
- Not that sturdy.
^ Return to comparisons at the top
Conclusion
Your budgie’s bird cage will be a major factor in its health and happiness so ensure your bird has one with the right size, functionality, features and design to match your budget. After reviewing a number of cages, we came to the conclusion that the best budgie cage is the Prevue Hendryx Wrought Iron Flight Cage. Whilst there are other good options available on the market, if you’re undecided which one to buy then choose this one.
Here are our Top 5 Best Budgie Cages again:
- Prevue Hendryx Wrought Iron Flight Cage
- Zeny Bird Cage Wrought Iron
- Vision Bird Cage Model M02
- Prevue Hendryx Triple Roof Bird Cage
- Yaheetech 36″ Hanging Bird Cage
Related posts
References:
https://avibase.bsc-eoc.org/species.jsp?avibaseid=D17D101A132D3FB2
http://www.budgerigarsociety.com/
Parrots: Their Care and Breeding, Low, 1986.