Cage birds including parrots, finches, and canaries are kept in enormous numbers globally. Their welfare needs range from the cognitively demanding requirements of large parrots to the social and flight needs of small finches.
Cage bird welfare varies enormously by species and housing. A canary in a large aviary with flight space, appropriate social companions, and varied enrichment may have good welfare; the same bird in a small display cage with minimal flight space has severely compromised welfare. The fundamental welfare principle for cage birds is species-appropriate space allowing natural flight, social needs matched to natural grouping patterns (finches are flock birds; some parrots form strong pair bonds), and environmental complexity appropriate to the species' cognitive demands. Parrot welfare is particularly complex given their intelligence and longevity — few owners can sustain the level of engagement required for a healthy parrot over a 50-year lifespan. Before acquiring any cage bird, researching its full lifespan and adult welfare requirements is essential.