The word for an outdoor bird cage is an aviary. An aviary is a large cage, enclosure, or structure designed to confine birds and provide them a safe environment outside of their natural habitat. Aviaries come in many shapes and sizes, from small backyard enclosures to expansive walk-in aviaries at zoos and sanctuaries. The purpose of an aviary is to give flighted birds room to move while protecting them from predators and preventing escape.
What is an Aviary?
An aviary is essentially an enclosed space intended for keeping and raising birds. The term aviary can refer to small enclosures made for pet birds as well as enormous walk-in aviaries built to house hundreds of exotic birds at zoos or sanctuaries.
Key Features of an Aviary
– Enclosed space with restricted access. Aviaries are fully enclosed to contain the birds securely.
– Sufficient space for flight. Most aviaries are built large enough for birds to take short flights within the enclosure.
– Protected from predators. Heavy-gauge wire mesh or netting is used to create barriers that keep unwanted predators out.
– Sheltered areas for housing. Well-designed aviaries include covered nesting areas and shelters for roosting and refuge.
– Enriched environment. Natural branches, vegetation, toys etc are added to engage birds.
Types of Aviaries
There are several distinct types of aviaries:
– Backyard or hobby aviaries are small enclosures for pet birds or amateur breeders. These are often simple wire mesh cages or modified existing structures like a greenhouse.
– Commercial aviaries are designed for breeding birds on a large scale, like those used by bird breeders. These feature rows of cages or flights suited to each species.
– Zoo or sanctuary walk-in aviaries provide very large open spaces for exotic birds to roam safely. Visitors can enter and observe the birds up-close.
– Indoor or outdoor aviaries. Outdoor aviaries expose birds to fresh air and sunlight, while indoor aviaries protect birds from cold climates. Many aviaries include both indoor shelter and access to outdoor flights.
The History of Aviaries
Humans have been housing exotic birds in cage-like enclosures for centuries. The earliest known aviaries date back over 4,500 years ago to ancient Egypt.
Ancient Aviaries
– Ancient Egyptians kept private collections of exotic birds as status symbols. Elaborately decorated cages housed species brought from Africa and the Middle East.
– In ancient Rome, extravagant aviaries called volieres were built to showcase rare ornamental birds from distant lands.
– Medieval aviaries were typically small birdcages made of wood and wire to contain pet songbirds.
Post-Renaissance Aviaries
– European aristocrats in the 1500-1800s built grand ornate aviaries to exhibit unusual birds from their colonial trade networks.
– Victorian era aviaries were popular in England from 1837-1901, used to display exotic parrots and birds of paradise.
– Aviaries became larger and more naturalistic through the 1800s, shifting from cages to room-sized enclosures.
Modern Aviaries
– The 1900s saw a surge of public interest in aviculture (bird breeding). Amateur and commercial aviaries proliferated globally.
– Naturalistic walk-through aviaries were pioneered in the mid 1900s, showcasing free-flight birds in a tropical rainforest setting.
– Backyard hobby aviaries remain popular today, while many zoos are now improving aviary design with enrichments for better bird welfare.
Designing an Aviary
Several key considerations go into designing and building a proper aviary:
Size
The aviary must be spacious enough to accommodate the birds, with plenty of headroom for flying species. As a general rule, the flighted dimensions should be wider than the bird’s wingspan and taller than the maximum flight height.
Bird Type | Minimum Height | Minimum Width |
---|---|---|
Small birds like finches | 3 ft (0.9 m) | 3 ft (0.9 m) |
Medium birds like Amazons | 6 ft (1.8 m) | 6 ft (1.8 m) |
Large birds like macaws | 8 ft (2.4 m) | 8 ft (2.4 m) |
Framing and Materials
– Sturdy framing is required, often using lumber, PVC, or metal for structural support.
– Heavy-gauge steel wire mesh is the most secure enclosure material, with openings small enough to prevent escape.
– Some aviaries incorporate clear panels or windows using plexiglass sheeting or tempered safety glass.
Housing and Shelters
– Enclosed nest boxes, roosting perches, and shelters provide safe housing. These are either built-in or freestanding structures.
– Housing areas should be partially sheltered from weather and cooled with ventilation, heating, or mister systems.
Access Points
– Human access is essential for maintaining the aviary. Full-width lockable doors are ideal, with a secure vestibule area to prevent bird escape.
– Service doors and panels allow cleaning access without full entry. Sliding panels can connect indoor and outdoor sections.
Landscaping
– Adding natural branches, logs, vegetation and substrate enhances the environment and gives birds places to perch and forage.
– Drainage, substrate barriers, and irrigation systems are needed for indoor plantings. Outdoors can be designed with native plantings.
Equipping an Aviary
Proper fixtures and accessories are vital for an aviary to meet all the habitat needs of the birds:
Food and Water
– Cup or tube feeders dispense seeds, pellets, and other diet items. These should be appropriate for the species.
– Waterers provide clean drinking water. Options like bowls, dispensers, misters, or small ponds suit different types of birds.
Perches and Roosts
– Natural tree branches and cleaned logs make ideal perches. Different diameters suit different birds.
– Roost boxes, nests, and climbing structures give birds places to rest and sleep.
Enrichments
– Toys, swings, and chewing items provide mental stimulation and exercise. Rotate new enrichments regularly to prevent boredom.
– Baths allow birds to clean and cool themselves. Options include bird baths, misters, sprinklers or small ponds.
Climate Control
– Heating, cooling, ventilation and misting systems help maintain temperatures and humidity levels suited to the species.
– Lighting on timers mimics normal daylight cycles. Full spectrum lighting is ideal for health.
Other Accessories
– Substrate like bark, sand or gravel makes ground dwelling easier.
– Visual barriers create hiding spots and reduce stress. Panels, vegetation and tunnels achieve this.
– Nesting materials aid breeding birds. Providing hay, grass, twigs etc stimulates natural nest building.
Caring for Birds in an Aviary
To keep confined birds healthy and content, aviaries require attentive maintenance and bird husbandry.
Daily Tasks
– Fresh food and water must be provided daily. Bowls and feeders should be cleaned thoroughly.
– Droppings and debris should be cleaned from perches, floors and furnishings to prevent disease.
– Inspect for signs of injury, illness or stress. Look for plucked feathers, limping, wheezing etc.
Weekly Maintenance
– Check wire mesh and barriers for damage. Make any needed repairs immediately.
– Hose or scrub down hard surfaces to control bacteria and algae growth.
– Clip overgrown beaks and nails if needed for certain species.
Enrichment Rotation
– Rotate new toys, structures and enrichments to prevent habituation. Store extras outside aviary.
– Rearrange perches, furnishings, and visual barriers to create a sense of novelty.
Seasonal Tasks
– Control heating, cooling and lighting duration to match natural seasonal cycles.
– Clean shelter areas and replace nesting materials to prepare for breeding season.
– Trim vegetation and branches before they overgrow the space.
Costs of Aviary Ownership
Constructing and maintaining an aviary requires a substantial investment. Key costs include:
Construction
– Materials like framing lumber, fencing, roofing, doors etc. Prices depend on size and complexity.
– Labor fees if hiring professional builders and contractors.
Fixtures and Accessories
– Feeders, perches, toys and other permanent fixtures. Prices vary by item quality.
– Climate control systems like heaters, air conditioning, humidifiers or misters.
Veterinary Care
– Annual exams, diagnostics, treatments and medications for health issues
– Emergency vet fees for any injuries, illnesses or surgeries
Food
– Bags of seeds, pellets, produce and other food items
– Daily feeding for multiple birds adds up over time
Aviary Type | Estimated Minimum Cost |
---|---|
Backyard enclosure for 1-2 small birds | $500 |
Sheltered enclosure for 10-20 medium birds | $2,000 |
Walk-in aviary for 50+ large birds | $15,000 |
Pros of Aviaries
Some key benefits of keeping pet birds in aviaries include:
Flight
– Aviaries allow flighted birds to engage in natural flying behaviors impossible in a cage.
Space
– Much more room to move than traditional cages. Helpful for active, territorial or social flocking species.
Enriching Environment
– Diverse enrichments and social groups reduce stress and frustration-based behaviors seen in cages.
Health
– Fresh air circulation and exposure to natural sunlight are healthy compared to stale indoor air.
Convenience
– Aviaries contain mess and debris compared to fully flighted houses. Easier cleaning and maintenance.
Cons of Aviaries
Some drawbacks of aviaries include:
Costs
– High upfront investment and ongoing costs compared to basic cages. Not ideal for budget-limited owners.
Escapes
– Breaches in barriers or open doors can still lead to escapes. Close monitoring is essential.
Predators
– Outdoor aviaries risk predators like cats, raccoons, rats etc infiltrating the enclosure.
Weather Effects
– Outdoors, birds are exposed to harsh weather, seasonal temperature swings and drafts.
Territory Conflicts
– Confining multiple birds risks increased aggression over perches, food resources and nest sites.
Alternatives to Aviaries
For those unable to provide an aviary, some alternatives include:
Large Cages
– Oversize cages provide more room than standard cages, with the ability to add enrichments.
Indoor Free Flight
– Allowing limited indoor flights under supervision gives exercise.
Outdoor Portable Enclosures
– Small outdoor cages on wheels (“playgyms”) can be moved for grazing and sunshine.
Indoor Rooms or Solid-Wall Aviaries
– Converting an indoor room or building an enclosed aviary allows flight without outdoor risks.
Conclusion
In summary, an aviary provides birds significantly more space, enrichment and ability to exhibit natural behaviors than conventional cages. However, aviaries require greater investment in construction, maintenance and birds’ specialized needs. They are best suited to committed owners with the resources to provide adequately for more complex bird housing. For others, reasonable compromises exist to give birds additional space and enrichment versus standard cages. Ultimately any expansion of confined birds’ environments benefits their physical and psychological health.