How to Make a Quaker Parrot Cage

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
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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.