What Are Birds That Can Be Caged Together?

Multiple-bird aviaries, whether indoor or outdoor, provide an enriched environment where birds can enjoy performing flock behaviors together. However, birds that are housed in captivity can only cohabit under specific guidelines in order to prevent fatal injuries that can be caused by fighting or aggressive biting. The key to having a successful multiple-bird aviary is knowing what factors are most important in determining which birds can cohabit together safely.

  1. Species

    • Lare macaws and African greys can quickly bite off the legs and feet of smaller bird species.

      The species of birds being housed together is the first matter of importance when selecting cage mates. It is generally best to house only one species of bird in an aviary, because some species of birds will not get along in the same habitat, such as masked lovebirds and peach-faced lovebirds. Species that are nearly the same size and similar beak type have less chance of inflicting injury during normal socializing, which means that a hook bill conure should not be housed with a straight beak seed eater such as a finch.

    Size

    • The size of the birds in a multiple-bird aviary is an important aspect when selecting potential cage mates. As a rule, never house large birds with small birds such as housing macaws with finches and cockatiels. While birds of differing sizes may get along when outside of their cage, large birds can become territorial, and even a small nip from a large beaked Amazon can injure smaller bird species. Generally birds come in four sizes: finches are extra small, parakeets and cockatiels are small, conures are medium, which leaves Amazons, greys and macaws as large birds.

    Temperament

    • Budgies, lovebirds and finches should be housed in even pairs.

      The temperament of the potential cage mates should be tested before they are housed together. Temperament testing begins with each bird having its own cage in a large room; as the days pass the cages are brought closer together. When the cages are sitting directly next to each other and the birds can peacefully and nonaggressively share living space, they have the temperament to be housed together. Putting two unacquainted and tempered birds together can result in severe injuries or even death.

    Gender

    • Aggressive male cockatoos have been known to kill unreceptive females.

      The gender of potential cage mates is also important, as some species of birds readily and easily produce successful clutches in captivity or produce hybrid breeds with behavior disorders. A bonded pair does not have to be a male-female setup. In fact, unless the birds are going to be used for breeding by an experienced and licensed breeder, it is best to limit large aviaries to hens as they tend to get along better and are less likely to be aggressive during breeding season.