How to Make a Quaker Parrot Cage

Most commercial cages are open on all sides, but birds are more comfortable having solid walls on at least two sides.

Quaker parrots are small, talkative, intelligent birds that are popular as pets because of their size and sociability. Their intelligence and skill with puzzles can make building a cage for a Quaker parrot difficult. Left alone with a simple latch gate, a Quaker parrot will quickly manage to escape. Making sure there is adequate space in the cage and a complex latch is the best way to ensure that your bird stays put.

Things You'll Need

• 5 18-by-18-inch pieces of 1/4-inch thick plywood
• Wood glue
• Drill
• Plywood screws
• 4 18-inch lengths of 1-by-4-inch wood
• Drafting compass
• Pencil
• Saw
• Sandpaper
• Nontoxic paint
• Paintbrush
• 13-by-13-inch piece of weld mesh with 5/8-inch spacing or less
• Staple gun
• 2 small hinges
• Heavy duty metal latch, preferably with space for a padlock

Instructions

1. Using the plywood pieces to create the top, bottom, back and two sides, glue the edges into place one at a time so that only the front side of the cage is open. Once the glue has dried and is temporarily holding the sides, screw the walls into place.

2. Set a 1-by-4-inch piece of wood horizontally in front of you. Use the drafting compass to draw a line from the top left corner coming toward the center of the plank, creating a 45-degree angle in relation to the top. Repeat on the top right corner, with the line coming toward the inside. Saw along each pencil line, removing two corners and creating a trapezoid. Repeat with the other three 1-by-4 pieces.

3. Align the cut sides of each 1-by-4 piece to create a frame. Glue the cut sides in place one at a time, then screw them together securely.

4. Sand down any rough edge on the cage sides and frame, then apply the nontoxic paint. Let dry.

5. Set the frame down flat on a steady surface. Position the weld mesh so it is centered on top of the frame. The mesh and frame will have a 1-inch overlap on each side. Firmly secure the mesh to the frame, using the staple gun.

6. Attach one side of each hinge to one side of the frame, about 8 to 10 inches apart. Attach the other side of each end to the left side of the cage box, so that the door will open out.

7. Install the latch mechanism to the right side of the door frame. If possible, use a small padlock to make sure your Quaker parrot won't escape.

References

• Birdtricks: Quaker Parrot Cages
• Pet Care GT: How to Build a Bird Cage
• Quaker Parrots: Quaker Parrot FAQ