Millions of pet birds are kept in cages that fail to meet their psychological and physical needs, with evidence-based guidance on appropriate housing lagging behind other companion animals.
Companion bird welfare is frequently compromised by housing that is too small, too barren, and too socially impoverished. The minimum cage sizes sold in pet shops typically allow only perching, not flight - inadequate for birds that fly continuously in the wild. Welfare-focused bird keeping requires genuine commitment to space, enrichment, and social needs. For many species, keeping birds at all is ethically questionable given the difficulty of meeting their needs in domestic settings. Prospective bird owners should research species needs thoroughly before acquisition.