Building A Bird Aviary – What To Think About Let’s look at what it takes when it comes to building a bird aviary. Years ago we built our own bird aviary and it was a rewarding experience. I kept it going for five years until we moved to a smaller property, and now I am back to a few pet birds in cages again. However, if you are looking at building a bird aviary for your home, I can guarantee that as a bird lover, it is a beautiful feature that you are going to love having in your garden. If you don’t want to build one, you can also buy them made already, like this one. Please note that this article may contain affiliate links, which means that the owner of this website will get a commission on any qualifying purchases. This isn’t just about picking out pretty designs; it’s about ensuring the health and happiness of your feathered friends. You need to choose the right design for the type of birds you are showcasing and according to the space you have available. You also need to consider the safety needs of your birds, and ways to keep them mentally and physically stimulated. You’ll want to decide on a design that not only accommodates the birds you already have but also any future additions. Different species have different needs, so factor in plenty of room for flying, perching, and exploring. The birds’ flight patterns and behaviors should guide the aviary’s shape and size. Now, what is an aviary without a touch of nature? Including plants, branches, and water features can make your aviary not just a habitat, but a sanctuary. This type of setup will encourage natural behaviors and provide environmental enrichment for your birds. Yet, remember, not all plants are bird-friendly, so choose something that resonates with you and is safe for your birds. Another essential aspect is making your aviary accessible for maintenance. After all, you’re going to be the one cleaning and caring for the space. Design your aviary in a way that allows easy human access without compromising security or causing stress to the birds. Budgies are some of the easiest and most colorful birds to put in your aviary Gathering the Tools and Materials: A Foundation for Feathers So to ensure a safe and durable home for your feathered friends, you need to look at what type of materials you are going to buy. The structural integrity of your aviary largely depends on the hardware you choose. Think wire mesh for ventilation and visibility, fasteners to keep it all together, and a solid frame for support. Choose materials that can withstand the elements and resist the wear and tear of daily bird activities. Stainless steel, for example, is a great choice for mesh due to its rust resistance. You’ll also need to consider the weather. Your aviary should provide shelter from rain, wind, and extreme temperatures. A polycarbonate roof can offer protection from the rain while still letting in plenty of light. Try opting for eco-friendly materials whenever possible. Not only is it better for the environment, but many natural materials are also more compatible with the birds’ needs. Recycled wood or bamboo can be used for the framing, each offering durability and a reduced environmental footprint. If working on a budget, you can often find quality materials at a fraction of the cost if you’re willing to do a bit of research. Salvage yards, recycling centers, and even online marketplaces can be treasure troves for budget-friendly building materials. You’re going to find that with a little ingenuity, you can create a wonderful aviary without breaking the bank. If you are not sure where to start or need some design ideas, ‘How to Build an Aviary is a wonderful digital product you can try and it may even help you save money. You will be walked through each step of the building process from choosing your design, selecting your materials, constructing your cage, and even adding those special finishing touches. Click here to find out more about how you can access this product. Piecing Together Your Aviary Now that you’ve gathered all your tools and materials, you’re going to step into the role of a craftsman—exciting, isn’t it? Your detailed blueprint is about to spring to life, transforming into a safe and captivating environment for your feathered friends. Nothing is more important than ensuring your birds are protected. For instance, you need to keep your neighborhood casts at a paw’s length and pesky rodents should not be able to find a way in. If you have somebody cutting the wood for you, speak to them about assembling an aviary that’s robust and functional. And yes, this includes setting up an effective waste management system, because hygiene is non-negotiable. Remember to create a feeding station that’s easy to access and clean. Because who wants to spend hours on maintenance, right? The best part is when you finally put the last door hinge in place and you can introduce your birds to their new home. Once you have put in the effort and followed the steps to completing your bird aviary, you can stand back and admire your creation, which will hopefully be a bird aviary that is both beautiful and functional. The chirps and songs filling the air will be a testament to your hard work, and this is just the beginning of many joyful moments in the garden with your avian companions. Needing more help on how to build the perfect aviary, click here. Here is an interesting look at building a bird aviary outdoors. Sharing is Caring Share on Facebook Share Share on Pinterest Pin it Share on TwitterTweet Post navigation Do Parrots Make Good Pets?Budgies As Pets 6 Comments Hi Michel, I appreciated your detailed guide on building a bird aviary. Your emphasis on choosing the right materials for both safety and environmental friendliness was especially helpful. Could you share some tips on maintaining the aviary once it’s built? For example, how often should it be cleaned, and are there any specific products or techniques you recommend to keep it in top condition?Thank you for your work and for sharing your insights!Best,Makhsud. Reply Hi Makhsud, It depends on how many birds you have and what type of flooring you have. When I had my aviary I had it sloping down slightly to the one corner with drainage, and then each week I would scrub the floor, which was bricked, with a broom with stiff bristles and some soap, then hose it down and the water would all run out of the corner of the cage. So it took me about an hour once a week to do this. There are other methods such as gravel that you can scoop up when it gets messy or even try using this Poop Remover Spray. Reply We are thinking about getting a parakeet maybe two so your article is timely. For years we had a parakeet. That bird was the most fun pet we have ever had. It learned to say quite a few words. We had a house that had a second floor that was open to the first floor. The bird loved to fly and sit on the railing and look outside. When we snapped our fingers, anyone in the house, he would fly to that finger. A shake of the hand would send him back to his cage where he would go in and close the door. I have often wondered if the bird was lonely for another of its kind. We have been thinking of getting another parakeet but more than likely at least two. We don’t know if two or more birds would be as responsive as one. The pictures of the aviaries you have shown are outside. Can an aviary be built inside if there is room? Is it worth building an aviary for two birds? It seems to me that the more room to move around the better. Thanks for the tips. Reply Two is nice for company, if the bird is on its own a lot, but if you are home a lot, then the bird would have lots of human company. With two it is a little harder to train them as they get distracted more easily. If your birds have the freedom of the house, I don’t think it would be necessary to build an aviary inside, unless you really want to, then nothing is stopping you. To me having an aviary outdoors is a chance for those indoor birds to experience living outdoors without the risk of losing them, so you need to look at your circumstances and what you needs are. Reply I agree that having aviaries for bird pets is very important. Beyond creating a sanctuary where they thrive happily, I think it might be the difference between a long life or a short one for these beautiful creatures. While in a high school away from home as a child, I lived with an uncle for a couple of years. Although he had a very busy schedule, he was an avid bird lover and kept Eclectus Parrots (I think). But they always ended up dying despite a lot of care and attention. I had wondered about it, but after reading your post, I feel strongly that a major reason why they never lived for as long as expected was because they were confined to cages where they could only basically jump (not fly) between two perches. He initially felt that it was because he kept single birds so he began to have them in pairs, but the results were the same. The apartment had limited space, but I think if my uncle had access to the kind of information in this post, he may have come up with better options for his birds. Thank you for this informative article. My question though is; how do you know which bird species will thrive together in an aviary or is it better to just have a single species? Reply I know from experience it is not good to mix bigger parrots with smaller parrots. However, budgies and cockatiels go well together. I believe that Love Birds can be aggressive to other birds so you need to watch that. I also know that you should not mix parrots with birds like finches or other birds not from the parrot family. Reply Leave a Reply Cancel replyYour email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment * Name * Email * Website
Hi Michel, I appreciated your detailed guide on building a bird aviary. Your emphasis on choosing the right materials for both safety and environmental friendliness was especially helpful. Could you share some tips on maintaining the aviary once it’s built? For example, how often should it be cleaned, and are there any specific products or techniques you recommend to keep it in top condition?Thank you for your work and for sharing your insights!Best,Makhsud. Reply
Hi Makhsud, It depends on how many birds you have and what type of flooring you have. When I had my aviary I had it sloping down slightly to the one corner with drainage, and then each week I would scrub the floor, which was bricked, with a broom with stiff bristles and some soap, then hose it down and the water would all run out of the corner of the cage. So it took me about an hour once a week to do this. There are other methods such as gravel that you can scoop up when it gets messy or even try using this Poop Remover Spray. Reply
We are thinking about getting a parakeet maybe two so your article is timely. For years we had a parakeet. That bird was the most fun pet we have ever had. It learned to say quite a few words. We had a house that had a second floor that was open to the first floor. The bird loved to fly and sit on the railing and look outside. When we snapped our fingers, anyone in the house, he would fly to that finger. A shake of the hand would send him back to his cage where he would go in and close the door. I have often wondered if the bird was lonely for another of its kind. We have been thinking of getting another parakeet but more than likely at least two. We don’t know if two or more birds would be as responsive as one. The pictures of the aviaries you have shown are outside. Can an aviary be built inside if there is room? Is it worth building an aviary for two birds? It seems to me that the more room to move around the better. Thanks for the tips. Reply
Two is nice for company, if the bird is on its own a lot, but if you are home a lot, then the bird would have lots of human company. With two it is a little harder to train them as they get distracted more easily. If your birds have the freedom of the house, I don’t think it would be necessary to build an aviary inside, unless you really want to, then nothing is stopping you. To me having an aviary outdoors is a chance for those indoor birds to experience living outdoors without the risk of losing them, so you need to look at your circumstances and what you needs are. Reply
I agree that having aviaries for bird pets is very important. Beyond creating a sanctuary where they thrive happily, I think it might be the difference between a long life or a short one for these beautiful creatures. While in a high school away from home as a child, I lived with an uncle for a couple of years. Although he had a very busy schedule, he was an avid bird lover and kept Eclectus Parrots (I think). But they always ended up dying despite a lot of care and attention. I had wondered about it, but after reading your post, I feel strongly that a major reason why they never lived for as long as expected was because they were confined to cages where they could only basically jump (not fly) between two perches. He initially felt that it was because he kept single birds so he began to have them in pairs, but the results were the same. The apartment had limited space, but I think if my uncle had access to the kind of information in this post, he may have come up with better options for his birds. Thank you for this informative article. My question though is; how do you know which bird species will thrive together in an aviary or is it better to just have a single species? Reply
I know from experience it is not good to mix bigger parrots with smaller parrots. However, budgies and cockatiels go well together. I believe that Love Birds can be aggressive to other birds so you need to watch that. I also know that you should not mix parrots with birds like finches or other birds not from the parrot family. Reply
