How to Build an African Grey Aviary

The African grey parrot is a highly intelligent bird native to central Africa. Its amazing mimicking capabilities and gentle nature have made it a popular pet parrot species. House your African grey in the natural surroundings of an indoor aviary. An indoor aviary offers more space than a cage, and also allows flight. By building an aviary within the confines of your home, you can ensure the safety and well-being of your bird and also provide it with companionship.

Things You'll Need

  • 2-by-4 wooden posts
  • Saw
  • 3-inch screws
  • Screwdriver
  • Hardwood panels
  • Hinges
  • Barrel bolt
  • Wood glue
  • Linoleum or melamine sheets
  • Plexiglas
  • Screw-on mirror clips
  • 12-gauge galvanized wire
  • Staple gun
  • Natural branch perches
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Instructions

    • 1

      Decide on the appropriate location to build the aviary. Ideally, it should be in a corner of your house that has two walls. In this way, the two existing walls can double up as the aviary walls.

    • 2

      Use 2-by-4 wooden posts to prepare the frame. Cut the posts with a saw to create a rectangular-shaped frame for the base, front, one side wall and ceiling of the aviary. Connect the posts to each other and the walls with 3-inch screws and a screwdriver. Attach 2-by-4 crossbeam supports to the base and ceiling frames for a sturdy structure. Although the aviary size is dependent on available space, it should be rectangular in shape, 5 feet tall and 3 feet wide on each side.

    • 3

      Create panels for the floor, side and ceiling with nontoxic hardwood such as redwood. Cut the panels and fix them to the frame with 3-inch screws. Convert the side panel into a door to enable your entry into the aviary. Connect the door to the frame by attaching hinges at the top and bottom. For additional safety, fix a barrel bolt to the door and the frame.

    • 4

      Cover the floor panel with linoleum or melamine sheets. Spread wood glue on the sheet and on the wood panel, and gently press them together to attach. This flooring can be easily cleaned when it gets dirty.

    • 5

      Fix Plexiglas to the front frame with screw-on mirror clips. Cover the ceiling frame with 12-gauge galvanized wire, to create the roof. Secure the galvanized wire with a staple gun. The wire ceiling also doubles as a source of ventilation.

    • 6

      Attach screw-on perches to the inside walls of the aviary. Fix natural branches such as citrus, ash, birch, magnolia, willow and apple to the sides. The uneven surface of these perches provides the desired foot and toe traction for your bird.