Best cage for a growing Eclectus parrot

Cage size is the single most important factor in bird welfare — and this is especially true if you have a juvenile Eclectus, because most cages sold as 'parrot cages' are undersized for a species that will reach 35–38cm in body length with a wingspan well over 60cm. Bar spacing matters equally: Eclectus need bars spaced no wider than 2.5cm or they risk getting their head stuck. Before I point you to something specific — how old is your bird right now, is it a male or female (they differ in size), will you be adding a second bird later, and how much floor space do you have available for the cage?

Good — that's exactly the right instinct, and with a male Eclectus you're in luck because males are slightly smaller than females at full maturity, so you don't need to go absolutely maximum size. A 12-week-old Eclectus is still very much a baby, but they grow fast and are typically close to adult size by around 12–18 months. What you want is a cage sized for the adult bird now, so you're done buying cages. For a single male Eclectus with good room space, what's your rough budget — under £300, up to £500, or are you open to going higher if it genuinely lasts a decade?

Then I'd point you directly at the Rainforest Cages Amazonia II. It's 91cm wide, 61cm deep and 163cm tall including the stand, with bar spacing of 2.2cm — which is spot on for an Eclectus. The internal height gives him real vertical room to climb, there are multiple access doors which matters when you're working with a young bird you're still taming, and the powder-coated steel is genuinely robust. It sits comfortably in your budget and it's a cage you'd be buying for an adult Eclectus anyway, so your 12-week-old simply grows into it. You won't be replacing this in six months or six years. The one thing to set up from day one: keep perches at different heights and don't fill it too densely while he's young — he needs space to move and build confidence.

Yes — a few things worth knowing for a juvenile. First, use natural wood perches of varying diameters rather than the dowel perches most cages come with; it's better for foot development and keeps him from gripping the same position all day. Second, position the main perch at around two-thirds height — not too high, because young Eclectus can be clumsy and falls matter more at this age. Third, don't place food and water bowls directly below perches, as Eclectus are prone to droppings contaminating food. And finally, Eclectus are quite sensitive to stress when young, so put the cage against a solid wall rather than in the middle of a room — having a 'back' to retreat to helps a lot while he's settling in.

Good choice — you'll be glad you didn't compromise on size. One last thing: Eclectus have a very specific diet compared to most parrots, so if you haven't already looked into that, it's worth researching before he arrives or as soon as possible. They need a lot of fresh food and do poorly on seed-heavy diets. Get the cage right and the diet right early, and you'll have a very healthy, settled bird. Enjoy him — they're remarkable parrots.