Whether or not a bird cage needs to be covered is a common question for bird owners. Covering a bird’s cage can provide some benefits but also has some downsides to consider. In determining if covering a cage is right for your bird, it’s important to look at factors like your bird’s personality and needs, the location of the cage, and your own preferences as an owner.
Quick Answers
Here are some quick answers to common questions about covering bird cages:
Why cover a bird cage?
- Provides more privacy and security for timid birds
- Helps birds sleep better when covered at night
- Prevents drafts and maintains steady temperature
- Reduces stress from other pets or household activities
- Discourages feather plucking
Why not cover a bird cage?
- Decreases ventilation
- Can cause humidity buildup
- Hampers bird’s ability to observe surroundings
- Some birds may become territorial
- Makes it harder to monitor bird’s health and behavior
When should you cover a bird cage?
- At night for sleep
- When vacuuming or during loud noises
- When leaving the house with bird inside
- When other pets are around that stress the bird
What are good bird cage covers?
- Breathable fabrics like cotton or linen
- Custom fitted covers
- Covers with openings for accessories
- Quick removal designs
- Washable materials
Benefits of Covering a Bird Cage
Here are some of the main benefits that a cover can provide for a bird cage:
Increased Privacy and Security
Covering a bird’s cage can give timid birds more of a sense of security. Birds like finches, canaries, and parrotlets tend to be more easily frightened by noises, movements, and strangers. Keeping their cage partially or fully covered provides them with a private retreat and minimizes stressful stimuli. This helps them feel more relaxed and comfortable.
Better Sleep
Covering a cage at night signals to a bird that it’s time to sleep and blocks out any ambient light. Light stimulation can prevent restful sleep for birds. Making sure your bird’s cage is covered at night supports their natural sleep rhythms.
Maintains Consistent Temperature
A cover traps heat in the cage and insulates it from drafts and cold air. This helps maintain a steady, comfortable temperature for your bird even when the room temperature fluctuates. Proper temperature is important for bird health.
Reduces Stress
Common household activities like vacuuming, cooking, or loud music can stress birds out. Drawing a cover over the cage provides both a visual and noise barrier to create a peaceful environment inside the cage amidst the commotion of a busy home.
Discourages Feather Plucking
Sometimes birds will excessively pluck their own feathers due to boredom, stress, or anxiety. Providing a covered cage can minimize environmental triggers that lead to this damaging behavior. The cover also physically prevents them from accessing parts of their body to pluck.
Downsides of Covering a Cage
While covers certainly have benefits, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider:
Decreased Ventilation
Covering part or all of a cage decreases air flow. With less ventilation, stale air, feather dust, and dander can accumulate. It’s important that any cover still allows adequate air circulation.
Increased Humidity
Reduced airflow can lead to a humid environment inside the cage. High humidity can allow mold or bacteria to grow and cause respiratory issues for birds.
Hampers Observation
You want to be able to easily observe your bird’s behaviors, food and water intake, and health. Covers limit your visual access to the cage interior and your pet.
Territorial Behavior
Some birds may see a covered cage as their territory and get aggressive towards you when you uncover it. They may even become possessive of their food, toys, or perches.
Harder to Monitor Health
With decreased visibility of your bird, you may miss early signs of illness or injury. You also may not notice right away dangerous conditions like a heater malfunction.
Ideal Bird Cage Covers
If you do opt to cover your bird’s cage, look for covers designed with the following features:
Breathable Material
Covers made of light, breathable cotton or linen allow for air flow while still providing security. Avoid polyester, nylon, and other synthetics that can trap in moisture and heat.
Custom Fit
A properly tailored cover won’t sag, bunch, or have large gaps. It will fit neatly over the cage to look nice while maximizing coverage and privacy.
Access Openings
Covers that have velcro, zippered, or buttoned openings provide access to food bowls, water bottles, perches, and cage doors without removing the entire cover.
Easy to Remove
Look for covers with features like velcro, magnets, grommets, or fitted corners that allow you to easily remove and replace the cover as needed.
Washable Fabrics
Covers made of natural fibers like cotton that can be frequently washed will stay cleaner and fresher. This prevents harmful buildup of dirt, dander, and bacteria.
Covering Considerations by Bird
Certain bird species do better with covered cages. Here are some covering recommendations based on common pet bird types:
Bird Type | Cover Recommendation |
---|---|
Finches | Full cover, especially at night |
Parakeets | Partial cover for sense of security |
Cockatiels | Nighttime cover only |
Lovebirds | No cover recommended due to territorial behavior |
Parrotlets | Full cover for timid birds |
Conures | Partial cover for high activity birds |
Macaws | No cover recommended |
African Greys | Nighttime cover only |
Cockatoos | No cover recommended due to chewing risk |
Cage Location and Covering
Where the bird’s cage is located in your home can factor into your decision about using a cover:
High Traffic Areas
Birds in busy household spaces like the kitchen, family room, or office will benefit from covers to create privacy and block noise.
Outdoor Aviaries
Outdoor cages and aviaries will need covers to help regulate temperature and provide protection from predators.
Quiet Spare Room
Birds housed in a quiet spare room or bedroom may not need covers if they already have a peaceful environment.
Multiple Bird Household
In a home with multiple birds, owners may cover cages to prevent inter-bird conflict over territories.
Areas with Drafts
Cages in drafty spots near vents, windows, or exterior doors may need covers for insulation and maintaining steady temps.
A Covered Cage Routine
If using covers, establish a daily routine for when the cage will be covered vs uncovered. Consistency is helpful for birds. Here is an example schedule:
Morning
- Uncover cage fully for daytime
- Feed breakfast
- Spot clean cage
- Spend bonding time with bird out of cage
Evening
- Partially cover cage to signal bedtime approaching
- Feed dinner
- Cover cage fully at lights out for sleep
Peak Activity Times
- Uncover cage when doing training sessions, foraging toys, or regular daily interaction
- Re-cover cage when vacuuming, cooking, entertaining guests to reduce disruption
Away from Home
- Fully cover cage when leaving the house with bird inside for safety
- Partially uncover cage on returning home so bird can readjust
Monitoring a Covered Cage
If covering your bird’s cage, be vigilant in watching for any signs of trouble. Look for:
- Soiling or feather buildup indicating lack of ventilation
- Condensation or wetness inside cage
- Chewing, destruction or moving of cover by bird
- Aggressive behavior when uncovering cage
- Disinterest in food or low activity
Make adjustments to the cover if needed to optimize conditions in the cage.
Conclusion
Deciding whether or not to cover a bird cage depends on your specific bird and its needs. For many birds, partial covering offers benefits like security and peaceful sleep without sacrificing ventilation and observation. Try out different covering options and schedules to find what works best for you and your feathered friend!