Best 10 Wooden Bird Cages: A Natural Environment For Your Pet Bird

Wood has been a well-known material for centuries. Back in the day, it was used to make just about anything you can imagine and to this day, people appreciate the craftsmanship and work people put into making things out of wood.

It comes as no surprise that wooden bird cages are also a thing people love to make and buy. If you see yourself in this description and are seriously thinking about purchasing or making your own, we suggest you take your time reading this article to get it right.

The Summary

Are Wooden Cages Good For Birds?

The short answer is yes, they are. Of course, there are some precautions to be aware of as with any birdcage material but generally speaking, it works surprisingly well as one of the materials for a cage.

Are Wooden Cages And Aviaries The Same Thing?

The short answer would be no but after reviewing the offer of cages that are safe for birds, in this case, yes, wooden cages and aviaries are the same. The exceptions to this rule are cages just too big to be placed indoors.

Commonly Used Wood Types

Store or online bought cages are most likely going to be made out of firwood or pine wood. Another one would be bamboo wood, also called Chinese wood,  that’s more sustainable and environmentally friendly but does have a few setbacks compared to the first two. Many of these are softwoods and there are differences between softwoods and hardwoods.

Decorative Cages

If you’re thinking of purchasing one such cage, you must be aware that often, they’re going to be made for decorative purposes. A tell-tale sign of that is excess detailing, not enough ventilation points, and unordinary shapes like rounded cages.

Positive And Negative Sides

The Positives

It’s easy to make a cage made out of wood look great. They blend well into both homes and gardens which brings us to the next benefit, they can be used both indoors and outdoors.

The Negatives

Wood is a high-maintenance material when used in cage making. It has to be cleaned frequently and thoroughly. It’s more likely for these to have a shorter lifespan as well and it’s easier for birds to damage one such cage with their beaks and feet.

Wood And Cage Properties To Consider Before Purchase

It’s best to be prepared when learning about any new material that you might introduce to your birds’ cage so what we’ve done here is gathered all the relevant information about both that will help you on the journey of purchasing a cage.

Soft VS Hard Woods

Hardwoods are typically used in making high-quality furniture that is made to last while softwoods are easier to manipulate, bend and work with. Although you won’t have a problem housing your bird in a softwood cage, it will become a problem if the bird has a stronger beak that can easily damage the wood.

Bird Toxic Wood Types

There’s a long list of woods that are toxic to birds but the most commonly seen ones are oak and cedar. Pine can also be toxic if it’s untreated but that has more to do with pine resin that the wood itself.

Outdoor Uses

Metal has a rusting and corroding problem when introduced to outdoor settings. This is a problem because rust and corrosion are bird toxic if they’re ingested so a better option would be to get a wooden alternative. These cages are typically going to be aviaries – large enclosures where birds can exercise freely.

Choosing The Shape

Any cage with corners will do. It can be a square, rectangular, or perhaps even a hexagonal. We said it earlier, avoid rounded cages. Size should also be a concern with rounded ones.

Other Material Suggestions

You’ll rarely find a product that’s made with nothing but wood. You’ll want to avoid that as well. The best thing would be to get a wooden frame and wire sides cage. Materials that come into play are iron, wrought iron. stainless steel, aluminum, and alloy steel.

Wooden Extras And Accessories

Once you have purchased your birds’ living quarters, it’s time to spend money on accessories. The majority of your expenses will go on those, perches especially. Treat perches as you would any cage material. Rotate the accessories frequently and clean them frequently as well.

Wire: Metal Or Wood?

Although we’d recommend metal wire sides, you can go with wooden bars if you’re prepared to clean them and if you have a small bird. The most important thing is to get the spacing between the wires right. You can check out the recommended wire spacings in the picture below.

Cage Sizes

Most of these cages are going to be able to house multiple birds. For one bird aim for a cage 1 1/2 times wider than your bird’s wingspan but don’t take it too literally. For example, a budgie has a 10-14-in wingspan and a great cage for them would be 18-in long, wide, and tall. Here are some guidelines on what cage size to go with for your bird. For multiple birds, add half of the recommended measurements.

Wood Finishes

Finishes should be safe for birds to ingest and it’s preferred that the finish is also weather-resistant to increase the lifespan of the cage. Color doesn’t affect finish quality. Besides, most are going to have natural colored finishes.

Best 10 Wooden Bird Cages

We made this list making sure to include various cage types ranging from flight cages to aviaries and indoor cages. Another thing to keep in mind is that not all cages are made with the same type of wood either so choose your preferred wood and enjoy.

Pawhut Hexagon Bird Cage

The hexagon shape of this cage allows you to place more perches inside. What also aids in that is its size which makes this wooden piece act as an aviary. All sides are covered with wire while the frame is wooden. It features an asphalt canopy that’s waterproof and protects the birds from bad weather.

It doesn’t feature a bottom so that’s why its use is exclusive to the outdoors. Another reason for that is its size. You can easily access it through the large double doors to either clean it or change things up. As it is, it comes with 3 perches.

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Aivituvin Indoor Bird Cage

Due to the grey finish, this firwood-made cage/aviary is perfect for indoor use as well. It features lockable wheels on the bottom so it’s easy to bring it outside or back inside if you so wish to. The asphalt roof and weather-resistant finish help keep it intact outdoors.

It comes with a hideout/nesting area, a play ladder, 2 perches, and a feeder. All are made from wood. You can take them out from the 2 large front doors, one of which has a built-in smaller door. The preface is on its height so it won’t take up much space indoors.

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Trixie Pet Natural Bird Cage

The cage has a brown stained finish that leans more on the natural side to emphasize its pine wood construction. The finish is also waterproof and it’s primarily made for outdoor use. You can move it indoors if you so wish but you have to account for its weight of 67 lbs.

It’s elevated from the ground with legs featuring rubber caps to prevent mol build-up on the bottom. You can access the inside from 2 different large front doors, one of which features a smaller built-in door. It comes with a feeder station, play ladder, perch, and perch branch. It’s a perfect wooden cage choice for birds like budgies.

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Pawhut Vintage Bird Cage

This is yet another case of a hexagonal cage. It’s taller and narrow so it leaves you with a vintage look. It’s colored grey and white for the most part and features wire sides and a waterproof canopy.

It features a total of 8 doors. 2 are found on each of the three sides and the front features 2 smaller built-in doors. The back wall is fully made out of wood so that the birds are protected from wind and other weather elements. It comes with a perch branch hanging from the top.

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Plyfun Handcrafted Bird Cage

There are 2 use options for this cage. You can either use it as a wooden carrier for birds or perhaps as a small cage. The sides are sectioned into three parts, the bottom is made out of plexiglass to prevent seed spillage.

It’s recommended you use it for smaller birds in case you plan on making it a permanent living option. It features a front and side door, a battle water holder, 2 perches, a slide-out cleaning tray, and food cups. It can be mounted to walls with ease.

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Mcombo Outdoor Bird Cage

The house-shaped rooftop will prevent water build up on top. Paired with the asphalt roof it will prevent leaking, damage to wood bits, and exposing your birds to different weather elements. It’s slightly elevated from the ground to prevent mold build-up.

It’s mainly a large wooden aviary. If you so choose, you can use it indoors but if you want to switch between outdoor and indoor use, you’ll have a hard time moving it. It has a large front door and 2 smaller doors. The interior is equipped with a play ladder and 3 perches.

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Pawhut Wire Bird Cage

Although wood is more abundant, this wood and wire cage implements both materials usefully. The left and backside are fully wooden to protect your birds from the wind. the front side is almost fully covered with wire while the right side combines both. The wire is powder-coated.

The wooden cage is finished in white color and uses some grey as well. It’s a weather-resistant finish and that includes both rainy and sunny weather. It has 2 small side entrances and the interior features a branched-out center hanging perch.

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Trixie Gray Bird Cage

If you choose to use this as an indoor birdcage, you’ll love the fact that the back wall is fully wooden. This means that your walls will be kept clean if you opt for a next-to-wall placement which we recommend since it keeps birds feeling safe.

It has 2 large front doors that allow for access to the entirety of the interior. It features a branched-out center perch with plenty of smaller perches and has a waterproof asphalt roof in case you decide to use it outdoors.

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Wei Hong Home Bamboo Bird Cage

The only metal bit on this Chinese-made wooden cage for birds is the hook on top that allows you to hang it someplace. You can use it as a decorative piece or house tiny birds. We’d prefer if you’d use it for traveling since it’s really small.

The bottom is fully wooden and connected with mortise joints so it’s pretty strong and can handle a lot of pressure. It features two porcelain cups and a single perch. It only has one slide upfront entrance that most people should have no problems pulling their hands through.

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Zimtown Parrot Bird Cage

For the most part, this cage is made from wire with a large wire spacing which makes it suitable for larger birds. The upper area is split into two sections, one of which can act as a hideout or resting area for these birds. You can access this area from the front and it’s fully made of wood.

The bottom flight area comes equipped with 3 perches, a wire grid bottom, and a slide-out cleaning tray below. The area features only one entrance but it covers the full width and length of the side where it’s located. Additionally, it features an asphalt roof and a waterproof finish.

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Common Wood And Wood Cage Problems

Mould

Mould will, unfortunately, put your birds’ health in danger. To avoid its spread, you’ll want to dry the wood fast if it ever gets soaked in water. The weather-resistant finishes will help fight it off but they can only do so much.

Deformations

When exposed to moisture, wood tends to shrink or expand. Over time, you might end up with bentwood frames and sides. The only way to prevent this from happening over time is to keep it away from moisture if you can

Assembly Process

Rarely will you ever get a wooden cage that’s preassembled or one that simply unfolds to be set up. Most do come with predrilled holes and all hardware included so that you’ll know exactly how to assemble it. Assembly will take some time out of your hands though.

How To Prevent Birds From Chewing Wood?

It’s only natural for birds to chew on wood, they’ll chew on just about anything to keep their beaks sharp and strong. It’s a problem with wood since these are mostly made with softwoods that will get damaged eventually. If getting a wooden cage, make sure you provide the inside with plenty of chew toys like easily destroyable wood, paper, or more traditionally cuttlefish chew blocks.

Cleaning The Wood Process

Cleaning your birds’ cage is a great time to assess its health as well. Look for signs that the bird isn’t eating properly, fallen feathers and how they look, and droppings, amount, and looks. Apart from that, here’s what you’ll need to do to clean a wooden cage.

Cleaning Supplies

Anything you clean a birdcage with should be bird-friendly. We’d opt for natural solutions that you might already have in your home like distilled white vinegar and water, to one cup equal parts those, you’ll want to add a bit of dawn and start cleaning.

Cleaning Process

You need to get rid of dried-up dirt bits first. the soap will help dissolve those so that they’re easier to clean. Make sure you’re still being gentle with the woo so that you don’t damage it and it’s preferred to go with the wood grain. Next up are cleaning extras that you can simply dump in the same solution, scrub, and let dry. After everything, disinfect the cage with a bird-safe disinfectant, let dry, preferably naturally, and that’s it.

How Do You Make A Wooden Bird Cage?

Handcrafting anything can be quite expensive if you want someone else to do it so why not make a cage on your own? You know the materials to avoid and what to focus on so making one should be fairly simple.

Wide Flight Cage

The things you’ll need: Wooden planks, wood boards, glue, nails, a hammer, a drill, tape measure, wire mesh, scissors, hinges, a sliding bolt lock, and a door handle. The process is simple, glue, nail, and drill the planks and wooden boards, surround the sides with mesh, stick it on, make the door, place it where it belongs with hinges, and you’re just about done.

There are plenty of other cage-making guides on the internet that go into heavy detail on how to do it.

Is Wood Glue Safe For Birds?

Generally speaking, wood glue is somewhat of a toxin and can be dangerous to birds if ingested since it can expand and get hard in the stomach. This only considers wood glue that is not dried. All glues are bird safe when they have dried and that includes wood glue.