Preparing for a new bird requires careful planning and the right supplies to ensure your feathered friend's health and happiness. From an appropriately sized cage to proper nutrition, comfortable perches, engaging toys, and essential accessories, having the right bird supplies is crucial for your bird's well-being. The best supplies provide comfort, safety, enrichment, and support your bird's natural behaviors.
In this comprehensive guide, we've researched and compared the must-have bird supplies available on Amazon. We've evaluated each product based on quality, safety, appropriateness for different bird species, ease of use, and value. All products reviewed here include direct Amazon purchase links with our affiliate tag.
Quick Answer: Our Top Picks
If you're in a hurry, here are our top recommendations:
- Best Bird Cage: Large Flight Bird Cage - Appropriate bar spacing, allows flight, easy to clean, durable
- Best Bird Food: Complete Nutrition Pellets - Balanced nutrition, prevents selective eating, vet-recommended, species-specific
- Best Bird Perches: Natural Wood Perches - Variable diameter, foot exercise, comfortable, natural materials
- Best Bird Toys: Enrichment Bird Toys - Engaging, safe materials, appropriate size, mentally stimulating
Essential Bird Supplies Checklist
When preparing for a new bird, here are the essential supplies you'll need:
Bird Cage
The cage is perhaps the biggest initial expense and not a place to scrimp. Your bird will spend many hours in this home, so it must be comfortable, safe, and appropriately sized. Purchase the largest cage you can afford with bars appropriately spaced for your bird species.
Bird Food
Proper nutrition is essential for your bird's health. Look for complete nutrition pellets rather than seed mixes, which allow birds to pick out favorites and leave the rest. Quality bird food saves money long-term by keeping your bird healthier.
Water and Food Dishes
Your bird needs clean, fresh water daily. Use appropriately sized dishes that are easy to clean and secure in the cage. Consider filtered or spring water if your tap water contains chemicals.
Perches
Comfortable perches are critical for foot health. Natural wood perches with varying diameters exercise your bird's feet and provide comfortable standing spots. Avoid sandpaper perches which can irritate feet.
Toys and Enrichment
Birds need mental stimulation and enrichment. Provide a variety of toys appropriate for your bird's size and species. Rotate toys regularly to maintain interest.
Cage Liners and Cleaning Supplies
Regular cage cleaning is essential for health. Use safe, easy-to-clean liners and bird-safe cleaning solutions. Keep your bird out of the cage until cleaning solutions are completely dry.
Hiding Place
Birds need a private space to retreat when they want alone time. Provide a hiding spot in one corner of the cage using cardboard, a box, or a commercial bird hide.
First Aid Kit
Every bird owner should have a first aid kit with nail trimmers, styptic powder, scissors, and emergency supplies. Include your veterinarian's contact information.
What to Look For in Bird Supplies
When choosing bird supplies, consider these important factors:
Appropriate Sizing
All supplies must be appropriately sized for your bird species. Small birds need smaller cages, perches, and toys, while large birds need sturdier, larger options. Incorrect sizing can be dangerous or ineffective.
Safety First
Prioritize safety in all supplies. Look for bird-safe materials, secure hardware, and designs that prevent injury. Avoid toxic materials, sharp edges, and small parts that could be swallowed.
Ease of Cleaning
Bird supplies need regular cleaning. Choose items that are easy to clean and maintain. Smooth surfaces, removable parts, and dishwasher-safe components make maintenance easier.
Durability
Consider durability, especially for items like cages and perches that will be used long-term. Quality construction ensures supplies last and remain safe over time.
Species-Specific Needs
Different bird species have different needs. Research what's appropriate for your specific bird species, from cage size and bar spacing to food type and toy preferences.
Product Comparison Table
| Product | Key Features | Best For | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Large Flight Bird Cage | Appropriate bar spacing, allows flight, easy to clean, durable | All bird species, allows natural flight behavior | $$$ |
| Complete Nutrition Pellets | Balanced nutrition, prevents selective eating, vet-recommended | All bird species, prevents nutritional deficiencies | $$ |
| Natural Wood Perches | Variable diameter, foot exercise, comfortable, natural materials | All bird species, promotes foot health | $$ |
| Enrichment Bird Toys | Engaging, safe materials, appropriate size, mentally stimulating | All bird species, prevents boredom | $$ |
Detailed Product Reviews
1. Bird Cages
An appropriate cage is perhaps the biggest initial expense when setting up for a new bird, but it's not a place to scrimp. Your bird will spend many hours in this home, so it must be comfortable, safe, and appropriately sized. Purchase the largest cage you can afford with bars appropriately spaced for your bird species.
All birds should be able to fly in their cage, not just stand and flap their wings. The cage should have features for human comfort too, such as easy-to-clean surfaces and castor wheels for easy moving. Place the cage in a heavily trafficked area of your home, preferably with a window view, so your bird feels part of the family and has things to watch.
For small birds (budgies, cockatiels, lovebirds, conures), look for flight cages with appropriate bar spacing (typically 1/2 to 5/8 inch). For large birds (Amazons, African Greys), you'll need sturdier cages with wider bar spacing (typically 3/4 to 1 inch) and stronger construction to withstand powerful beaks.
Key Features: Appropriate bar spacing, allows flight, easy to clean, durable, secure latches, removable trays
2. Bird Food
Many foods marketed for birds are actually inappropriate for the species. Do your research and look for veterinary sources recommending food specific to your bird species. Most appropriate bird foods will look like dog and cat food kibbles (ideally without artificial colors). If you find bird seed, dried fruit, or vegetable bits in the bag, chances are this is the wrong food for your bird (with exceptions for doves, finches, and a few others).
The best bird nutrition means your bird can't pick out favorite parts and leave the rest behind. Therefore, a blended pellet diet is recommended. These foods are more expensive than "bird seed" but save money long-term by keeping your bird healthier. Don't settle for something unhealthy just because your bird "likes it" or was eating it when you adopted them.
Look for complete nutrition pellets that are species-specific. These provide balanced nutrition and prevent selective eating that leads to nutritional deficiencies. Quality bird food is an investment in your bird's long-term health.
Key Features: Complete nutrition, prevents selective eating, species-specific, vet-recommended, balanced formulation
3. Water and Food Dishes
Your bird needs clean, fresh water daily. If your household uses city water treated with chemicals like chlorine, it's better to offer your bird water free of chemicals, such as bottled spring water. Your bird's cage should include appropriately sized water and food bowls based on your bird's size.
Look for dishes that are easy to clean, secure in the cage, and made from bird-safe materials like stainless steel or food-grade plastic. The dishes should be large enough for your bird to access easily but not so large that they become soiled quickly. Some birds prefer dishes mounted on the cage bars, while others do well with dishes on the cage floor.
Regular cleaning is essential. Wash food and water dishes daily with hot, soapy water and rinse thoroughly. Consider having multiple sets so you can rotate them while one set is being cleaned.
Key Features: Easy to clean, secure mounting, appropriate size, bird-safe materials, durable
4. Bird Perches
Comfortable perches are critical for your feathered friend's foot health. The best perches for pet birds are those that resemble natural perches, like tree branches. If you live in an area with fruit trees that haven't been sprayed with pesticides, you can cut appropriately sized branches for your bird. If they eat them, that's fine! When perches become soiled, simply throw them away and cut more.
If you choose to purchase perches, choose those that most closely resemble branches. Variation in size and diameter exercises your bird's feet and allows them to find spots to stand that are most comfortable. Natural wood perches with varying diameters are ideal for foot health.
Avoid using perches that are rough in texture or covered in sandpaper. These are marketed to help "keep nails short" but end up irritating the bird's feet. Your bird will need their nails trimmed, and your veterinarian can teach you how to do that or do it for you.
Be sure to put perches in places where your bird can still comfortably fly. Look for corners and edges to set the perch, not right across the "flight zone."
Key Features: Variable diameter, foot exercise, comfortable, natural materials, appropriate sizing
5. Bird Cage Liners
The base of your bird cage will need to be cleaned regularly. It's important to find a liner that is safe to use and inexpensive for regular cleaning. Simple black and white newspaper works well for some birds (especially if your bird doesn't play on the bottom of the cage), but other options are available.
Make sure that whatever you choose, the material is not something your bird will eat, such as corn cob litter, since these can potentially result in intestinal obstruction. Safe cage liners include newspaper, paper-based liners, or reusable liners made from bird-safe materials.
There are also safe cage cleaning solutions (including vinegar and water) that can help loosen up any mess left behind by your feathered friend, allowing you to wipe them off. Be sure to keep your bird out of the cage until it is entirely dry, so they don't ingest any of the cleaning solutions.
Key Features: Safe materials, easy to replace, absorbent, cost-effective, non-toxic
6. Bird Hiding Places
Everybody needs a place to go to be alone, and this includes your feathered friend! Make sure there is one corner of the cage dedicated to "privacy." This might be a few pieces of cardboard your bird can sneak behind, a box with one side cut out, or even a "fluffy sleep hide" designed specifically for birds.
As long as your bird can get away whenever they feel the need for some privacy, it will work. Hiding places provide security and reduce stress, especially for birds who are new to your home or who are naturally more timid. They give birds a sense of control over their environment.
Commercial bird hides come in various sizes and materials. Choose one appropriate for your bird's size and made from safe, non-toxic materials. Some birds prefer soft, fabric hides, while others prefer more structured options.
Key Features: Privacy, stress reduction, appropriate sizing, safe materials, easy to clean
7. Bird Toys
Birds adore toys—some species more than others. Small birds often love mirrors, bathtubs, and small plastic toys they can "beat up." Larger birds often love bigger wooden toys which can be chewed and destroyed. Most birds will have a very large toy box, and toys can rotate over time.
If your bird has a large or powerful beak, you can expect that toys may be destroyed constantly, so be prepared to replace them frequently. This can get expensive quickly, but sometimes you can make your own toys using items such as paper towel rolls, cardboard boxes, and scraps of untreated wood.
Look at a wide variety of commercial toys and see what your bird likes. From there, your imagination is the limit! Just be sure that your bird isn't likely to hurt itself with the toy (like hooking a toenail) or eat small plastic parts. Rotate toys regularly to maintain your bird's interest and prevent boredom.
Key Features: Engaging, safe materials, appropriate size, mentally stimulating, species-appropriate
8. First Aid Kit for Birds
Every animal in your household should have a packed "go bag" in case of emergency as well as a first aid kit. Your veterinarian can help you put together what should be in this kit, but it should include at least a pair of nail trimmers, styptic powder (to stop minor bleeding), and small scissors.
Any medications your bird takes should also be in the kit, as well as extras of any vitamin supplements you add to the diet. Similar to a kit you might have for your dog and cat, you might also want to include antiseptic wipes, Telfa pads, gauze rolls, vet wrap, medical tape, hydrogen peroxide, tweezers, hemostats, a penlight, clean towels, and a magnifying glass.
Don't forget the contact information for your veterinarian, local emergency clinic that sees birds, and your pet's medical information. Having a well-stocked first aid kit can make a critical difference in an emergency situation.
Key Features: Emergency supplies, nail trimmers, styptic powder, medical information, veterinarian contacts
Setting Up Your Bird's Home
Cage Placement
Place the cage in a heavily trafficked area of your home, preferably with a window view. Your bird should always feel part of the family and have things to watch even when not flying loose about the house. Avoid placing the cage in drafty areas, direct sunlight, or near heat sources.
Cage Setup
Arrange perches so your bird can comfortably fly from one to another. Place perches in corners and edges, not right across the flight zone. Position food and water dishes in easily accessible locations. Add toys at various heights to encourage exploration and play.
Creating a Safe Environment
Ensure all supplies are bird-safe and properly secured. Check for any potential hazards like loose hardware, sharp edges, or toxic materials. Regularly inspect all supplies for wear and damage, replacing items as needed.
Final Verdict
Preparing for a new bird requires careful planning and investment in quality supplies. The cage is your biggest initial expense, but it's not a place to scrimp—your bird will spend many hours there. Quality bird food, appropriate perches, engaging toys, and essential accessories all contribute to your bird's health and happiness.
Remember that different bird species have different needs. Research what's appropriate for your specific bird species, from cage size and bar spacing to food type and toy preferences. With good research and careful preparation, birds can be wonderful additions to the household and long-lived companions.
Choose your supplies carefully, prioritize safety and quality, and you'll be off to a great start with your new feathered friend. Regular maintenance, cleaning, and supply rotation will keep your bird healthy, engaged, and happy for years to come.