10 Best Cockatiel Cages 2024: Reviews & Top Picks

The Cockatiel is one of the most popular pet bird species. It is friendly enough to be handled, quieter than most large pet birds, and is a fun and intriguing species. However, while it might be easier to care for than a Cockatoo or Macaw, it does still require plenty of care. Despite being quite a small bird species, it needs space to stretch its wings, and although owners are recommended to let their Cockatiels out of the cage for several hours a day, providing room to fly in the enclosure is also important. And, because it is an intelligent and playful species, the Cockatiel needs to have plenty of toys and other items to enrich its life.

Finding the best Cockatiel cage ensures that your ‘tiel has a comfortable and healthy life. Below are reviews of 10 of the best cages to help you find the one that best fits your budget, space, and your Cockatiel family.

A Glance at Our Winners in 2024

The 10 Best Cockatiel Cages

1. Yaheetech 54-in Rolling Metal Large Parrot Cage – Best Overall

The Yaheetech 54-In Rolling Metal Large Parrot Cage is a metal cage that measures 24.5 x 17 x 33 inches, which provides enough space for your Cockatiel to spread its wings, play with toys, and sleep and eat. It is a fully open cage, which means there are no solid sides to prevent views, and it comes with a detachable rolling stand. The bars are made from a coated metal that prevents rusting.

The stand has a lower shelf which offers somewhere convenient to keep bird seed and other supplies. It is around average price and comes in a selection of colors so you can choose one that best matches your room décor. The pull-out grate is easy to clean which means that you can easily get to the seeds and poop that collect at the bottom of the cage.

It has four seed trays and two perches, and the cage is well made overall, however, the seed tray at the bottom is prone to bending which can make it difficult to remove and replace, and the wheels don’t lock in place so it can roll around.

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2. Yaheetech 39-In Metal Parrot Cage – Best Value

The Yaheetech 39-In Metal Parrot Cage is a smaller cage from Yaheetech, which means that you will need an additional flight cage or ensure that your bird gets several hours a day out of its cage for exercise. However, the cage is conveniently sized so it can fit on most tables. It doesn’t have a base, but it is made from durable powder-coated metal. It has three small doors that can be used to attach accessories like bird baths and nesting boxes, and the cage comes with three feeders, two perches, a wooden ladder, and a swing.

It also has a sliding tray that makes clean-up quick and easy, and the Yaheetech is a very cheap cage, which makes it the best Cockatiel cage for the money. Although the cage is inexpensive and has good features, it is on the small side, which means that you will likely need an additional flight cage and offer plenty of time outside the cage.

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3. A&E Cage Company Flight Bird Cage & Stand – Premium Choice

The A&E Cage Company Flight Bird Cage & Stand is a flight cage, which means that it is large enough that your Cockatiel can spread its wings and take flight in the cage itself. If you have limited time to let the bird out of its enclosure, then this type of cage is essential for a Cockatiel. The cage does come in a variety of colors, and it has a removable stand with a sliding grate tray at the bottom that is easy to clean. The stand also has a bottom shelf for supply storage.

Although this is an expensive cage option, it is a very big enclosure, and it is well made so it feels sturdy and robust. Because it’s a flight cage, the inside is somewhat barren, with just a couple of perches and small trays.

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4. Penn-Plax Medium Bird Kit Square Bird Cage

The Penn-Plax Medium Bird Kit Square Bird Cage is a reasonably priced, convenient bird cage kit that includes an 18.25 x 14 x 27.75-inch metal wire cage, two perches, and two seed trays. The slide-out tray prevents you from having to get in to clean the cage floor and it is very reasonably priced.

This is quite a basic kit, and the cage is small, which means you will need to buy a flight cage or let your ‘tiel have plenty of time flying outside the cage each day, and the metal wire bars are quite flimsy when compared to some of the more premium cages on the list.

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5. Yaheetech Play Top Detachable Rolling Stand Metal Bird Cage

Cockatiels need plenty of daily exercise, which means if they live in small cages, they must be provided with time out of the cage to fly around and spread their wings. Letting a Cockatiel out of its cage has its own requirements, such as making sure that the bird has somewhere to land and safely survey the area. A play-top cage provides internal living space for the Cockatiel, and it also has a perch on the top of the cage. Your Cockatiel will feel comfortable perching on top of its living area because it knows the smell and the location, and it means that at least some of the bird’s mess will still be confined to the cage itself, rather than the rest of the room.

The Yaheetech Play Top Detachable Rolling Stand Metal Bird Cage is quite a small cage, measuring 18.5 x 18.5 inches, but it does come with a rolling stand that the cage can be attached to or detached from, and it has a perch play top for your bird to settle on. It is reasonably priced, has an easy-to-clean removable bottom tray, and has a bottom shelf for seed and supply storage.

However, this is a small cage, and the perches are quite thick for a Cockatiel’s claws.

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6. Prevue Pet Products Keet/Tiel Cascade Roof Bird Cage

The Prevue Pet Products Keet/Tiel Cascade Roof Bird Cage is a metal cage that has a shaped roof and is a moderate size. It has a landing door, which can be used as a perch by your bird when it is open, and the set includes two plastic cups and three wooden perches. There’s a removable grille, and also a sliding tray that can be removed to easily clear out seed shells and other debris. It is a decent price and an average size, and like most good cages, certainly on this list, it has vertical bars to prevent your ‘tiel from vertical climbing.

The base of the cage is not designed to be removed, which means that the only way you can clean it is to remove the tray. Unfortunately, debris does get caught under the bars and it can be very difficult to keep everything clean.

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7. Frisco Bird Flight Cage

The Frisco Bird Flight Cage is a large cage that offers plenty of space for your Cockatiel to spread its wings and fly. There are a couple of access doors at the front, as well as smaller doors on the side that are used to add extra features.

The cage itself does come with a removable plastic base tray for cleaning, and it has three perches that provide your ‘tiel with take-off and landing spots. There is a shelf on the bottom of the stand, and the height of the flight cage itself means there isn’t a lot of wasted space underneath. The base has locking castor wheels, so you can easily move the cage around and then lock the wheels in place so that the cage doesn’t move. However, the bars feel quite far apart and may provide an escape for smaller birds.

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8. Yaheetech Rolling Metal Parrot Cage with Playtop

The Yaheetech Rolling Metal Parrot Cage with Playtop is a rolling cage. It doesn’t detach from the wheels, so be sure that you want a cage with its own stand before buying. There is a removable tray for easy cleanup and, around the outside, there is also a seed skirt. Seeds that get flicked out of the cage bars or dropped from the play top bounce off the skirt and back into the cage. The play top itself has a ladder, perch, and two bowls, while inside the cage there is another wooden perch and two more bowls.

It is a decent kit, but this does mean that the price is a little on the high side, and the seed skirt takes up additional room while the cage itself feels a little flimsy compared to some other models.

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9. Prevue Pet Products Wrought Iron Small & Medium Birds Flight Cage

The Prevue Pet Products Wrought Iron Small & Medium Birds Flight Cage is a decent-sized cage that has two access doors and three large wooden perches. Four plastic cups can be used to offer food or water to your ‘tiel, and the whole thing is on a wheeled stand that is easy to move into an ideal position.

The cage is quite expensive, primarily because of its size and its attractive wrought iron design, but the bars are close together which should prevent small to medium-sized birds, including Cockatiels, from being able to escape. Its castors are useful, too, but the cage is a little flimsy and the door locks need reinforcing to keep your ‘tiel in.

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10. A&E Cage Company Elegant Style Flight Bird Cage

The A&E Cage Company Elegant Style Flight Bird Cage is a medium-sized flight cage made of metal and complete with a detachable rolling stand. Its size means that it can house several hanging toys and other items. There is a shelf on the bottom of the stand for food and other items. There is a single access door at the front, one wooden perch, and two bowls. There’s also a sliding base tray that catches seeds and other debris for easy cleaning.

The cage is of decent quality and it has an attractive design but is difficult to put together and very expensive.

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Cockatiel Cages

A Cockatiel’s cage is its home, although it should also enjoy plenty of time outside the cage enjoying the freedom of a secure room. They need space to move around, fixtures and fittings to contain their food and water, and they need additions like ladders and toys to provide enrichment and fulfillment. The cage also needs to be secure, and it can benefit from having a wheeled base so that it’s easy to move around. Most modern Cockatiel cages also come with a removable tray at the base, so cleaning is easier and doesn’t require you to get in and sweep seeds and other debris up.

Cage Size

One of the most important considerations when buying a cage for any animal is the size of the cage. Unless you’re planning an aviary, you will need to achieve a balance between providing enough space for your Cockatiel or Cockatiels and the cage being an appropriate size for its location. Opinions do vary when it comes to Cockatiel cage sizes, and the size you need will depend on how many Cockatiels you keep:

If your Cockatiels get to spend a lot of time outside the cage, they may be satisfied with something a little smaller, but if they spend the majority of their time in their enclosure, this is the minimum size to consider. There is no such thing as too much space, so don’t be afraid to go bigger.

What Is a Flight Cage?

Alternatively, you can offer a Cockatiel a couple of cages: one as a living space and the other for exercise. A flight cage is a large, square, or rectangular cage. It has minimal features inside the cage, other than a couple of perches and some small bowls. It allows the Cockatiel to spread its wings and fly around. The flight cage should meet the minimum size requirements above, but having a flight cage means that your ‘tiels can have a slightly smaller living cage.

Perches

Within your Cockatiel cage, you will need certain features and accessories to ensure your ‘tiel has a fulfilled and enriched life. Perches are a basic requirement and your ‘tiel will stand on a perch while resting, eating, grooming, and sleeping. Perches are usually made from wood because it is strong and stable, but claws can easily grab onto it without slipping. It is a good idea to have multiple perches, although not so many that it prevents free movement around the cage, and they should be spaced out within the cage and especially near other features like any elevated food bowls.

Bowls

Bowls are used to contain food and water. They are typically made of either plastic or stainless steel. Stainless steel is more hygienic but can be noisy, especially if your Cockatiel learns to ring it like a bell. Plastic bowls can become stained, and they may be easily removed and flung around the cage. You will need at least two bowls, although some cages come with four so that your ‘tiel can choose where it wants to eat or drink.

Play Top

A play top effectively uses the top of the cage as another layer of living space for your bird and is especially beneficial to those Cockatiels that spend time outside their cage and in the room where the cage lives. The play top can be as simple as a shaped section of roof, but some of the best play tops have perches, bells, and bowls and they can become a favorite perching spot for your bird. Many Cockatiels like play tops because they are part of the cage, so they have the smell of the bird’s home, but they are outside the cage and provide freedom.

Removable Tray

The removable tray has become a staple in most modern bird cages. The tray is found at the base of the cage and slides in and out. Sliding the tray out means that you can get rid of debris like unwanted seeds and seed casings, and you can wipe any dirt off without having to try and sweep the mess up inside the cage.

Cockatiel Exercise Requirements

Unless it lives in an aviary, a Cockatiel will need exercise time, which means time spent out of its cage. This allows the bird to fly unimpeded by cage bars. It also gives the bird time to investigate its surroundings and even to socialize with you and other family members. Generally, a bird requires a minimum of 2 hours a day out of its cage. Always ensure that the room is secure with doors and windows tightly shut. And remove any cats or dogs that might chase or stress the bird out. If you can provide more than 2 hours, you can, but do ensure that your ‘tiel can get back in its cage, if it wants to.

Handling Your Cockatiel

Socialization is important if you want to handle your Cockatiel and have it integrated into the family. When you first get your bird, allow it a few days to become acclimatized to its new enclosure and its surroundings. But, once this acclimatization period is over, you should start handling the bird as soon as possible. Be gentle, be calm, and try to handle your Cockatiel every day. When the bird has had enough, let it get back in its cage and go again the next day. Cockatiels generally enjoy regular handling, but it does take time to get them used to it.

Cockatiel Cage Placement

As well as choosing the right cage, you also need to consider where the cage will be placed. Most cages do not have enclosed or solid walls, but your ‘tiel will appreciate the privacy and security of having some solid surfaces. Place the cage against a wall and ideally in a corner. Don’t place them directly next to a window because external noises like dogs barking and birds squawking may cause distress, and cold drafts from the window can also pose health problems.

Similarly, you should avoid putting the cage right next to a radiator, heater, air conditioner, or in any other area that suffers rapid temperature changes. Avoid putting the cage in the kitchen or anywhere that is subjected to air fresheners. You should put the cage somewhere close to where people sit or congregate because this will help get the bird used to human contact.

Can I Have Two Cockatiels in the Same Cage?

Generally, you can keep two Cockatiels of the same sex in the same cage because Cockatiels are placid birds. Opposite-sex birds may squabble, and you may find that you end up with unintended mating. Try and introduce the birds when they are as young as possible and keep them in separate cages initially, while introducing them gradually. It may take some time for them to get used to one another, but with patience, it should be possible.

What Birds Can Live with a Cockatiel?

Cockatiels are placid birds, which means they won’t usually pick on or bully other birds. However, you do need to make sure that the other birds will not bully the Cockatiel. They can live with some smaller Parrot species, as well as some Budgies or Parakeets.

What is Best to Put on the Bottom of a Cockatiel Cage?

You don’t need to use litter or bedding at the bottom of a Cockatiel cage but using recycled paper or liner will help you keep the cage clean and make it easier to wipe and clean out. You can buy cage liners or use paper, but you need to be sure that the paper is clean and safe for use.

Conclusion

Cockatiels can make excellent companions, but they do need regular handling and they need to be provided with a good cage filled with toys and features that enrich their lives. Above, we have included reviews of the best Cockatiel cages and a guide to help you choose the one that best fits your needs.

The Yaheetech 54-in Rolling Metal Large Parrot Cage Mobile Bird Cage is a decent price and offers plenty of room for movement and to add perches and toys. The Yaheetech 39-In Metal Parrot Cage costs even less and has 7 small doors that allow for the addition of extra items like bowls, perches, and toys, and is the best pick for the money.

• See also: 10 Best Toys for Parrots – Reviews & Top Picks

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Featured Image Credit: Edinaldo Maciel, Shutterstock