Answer
What size cage does a budgie (parakeet) need?
At least 20 × 20 × 30 in with bars no more than 0.5 in apart, per Merck Veterinary Manual. Same minimum for cockatiels, lovebirds and parrotlets.
Minimums at a glance
| Animal | Minimum (L × W × H) | Bars |
|---|---|---|
| Budgie (parakeet) | 20 × 20 × 30 in | 0.5 in |
| Cockatiel | 20 × 20 × 30 in | 0.5 in |
| Conure | 36 × 24 × 48 in | 0.75 in |
| African grey or Amazon | 40 × 30 × 60 in | 0.75 in |
| Macaw or large cockatoo | 48 × 36 × 66 in | 1.5 in |
Same minimum for cockatiels, lovebirds and parrotlets.
More questions
Is bar spacing important for budgies?
Yes: bars should be no more than ½ inch apart so a budgie can’t get its head stuck.
Does a pair of budgies need a bigger cage?
Yes, give more room than the single-bird minimum, and prefer width: budgies fly side to side.
Is a bigger cage better for a budgie?
Yes: these are minimums, and welfare groups agree that more space is better.
How do I measure a budgie cage?
Use the inside floor dimensions, not the outside of the base or the box size.
Do levels or shelves count as floor space?
Extra levels add enrichment, but most guidance is based on the main floor area.
How much time should a budgie spend outside the cage?
Many small pets need daily time out of the cage; rabbits, chinchillas and ferrets need hours of extra space a day.
Can I check my own budgie cage?
Yes: enter its inside length, width and height in the cage size calculator.
Where do these minimums come from?
From the welfare and veterinary sources linked below.
Citing this? Link to https://tools.thesturdypaw.com/answers/budgie-cage-size/. Free to reuse with a link (CC BY 4.0).
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