How to Decorate an Aviary

Well-decorated aviaries will help keep birds safe, comfortable and entertained.

Birds thrive in earthy, vegetated spaces, which makes a natural-looking aviary a suitable habitat for them. An aviary, which is a large enclosure for birds, can be made to simulate a wildlife environment. While an aviary cannot perfectly replicate the wild, you can put safe, natural decorations in it to help make birds feel at home. If you want an organic aviary, there are a few guidelines to keep in mind that could keep your birds free from harm.

Things You'll Need

• Large marbles or stones
• Small trees
• Stainless steel or crockery dishes
• Nontoxic wood or hardened plastic toys
• Pinata
• Bird treats
• Pruners

Instructions

Perches

1. Plant a few nontoxic trees such as umbrella trees or eucalyptus near the food and water dishes, another one by the toys, and one somewhere else for grooming. Place them in an area that will not inhibit the movement of the birds or force their tails to touch the cage.

2. Check the trees for insect egg pods. Remove any insect egg pods to prevent them from hatching inside the aviary.

3. 

   Branches should not stick out of the aviary.

   Trim the branches with pruners.

4. Rinse all foliage and branches thoroughly with water to remove pesticides.

5. Cover the dirt surrounding the trees with a layer of large marbles or stones that are too large for the birds to swallow.

Dishes and Toys

1. Place food and water dishes where they will not be contaminated with droppings. Use stainless steel or crockery dishes.

2. Hang bird toys made of nontoxic wood or hardened plastic at the end of the perches. Rotate them weekly with another set of toys.

3. 

   Birds will use pinatas for foraging.

   Fill pinatas with bird treats. Hang the pinatas on trees around the aviary.

Tips & Warnings

• Small birds such as finches need a perch diameter of three-fourths of an inch.

• Medium birds such as cocktails need a perch diameter of at least 1 1/4 inches.

• Large birds such as cockatoos need a perch diameter of 2 inches.

• Ash, elm, dogwood and magnolia can be planted in an aviary.

• At least 3 inches of perch needs to be available for each bird in the aviary. If you have several birds, you may need to plant more trees.

• If you have an indoor aviary, plant the trees inside a pot.

• Do not use toxic plants such as yews, amaryllis, lilies, daffodils, hyacinths, or ficus and more.

• If you are concerned about pesticides inside a plant, allow it to grow for several months before putting it in the aviary.

References

• The Real Owner: Creating an Indoor Bird Room
• Winged Wisdom: Creating and Enjoying an Aviary
• Bird Channel: Decorate Your Bird Cage
• Doctors Foster and Smith Pet Education: Bird Cages, Perches, Dishes, and Other Accessories

Resources

• Doctors Foster and Smith Pet Education: Things to Consider Before Buying a Bird