September 27, 2026 · Guides
African Grey Parrot Cage Size and Setup: A Practical Guide
A cage that’s too small is one of the most common, and most fixable, mistakes new owners make. Here’s what an African grey actually needs.
Minimum size
The generally recommended minimum is around 36″ long by 24″ wide by 48″ tall. That’s a floor, not a target — bigger is better, especially for a bird that will spend real time in the cage while you’re at work or asleep. A grey needs room to fully extend and flap its wings without hitting the sides.
Bar spacing
Look for bar spacing between roughly ¾ and 1 inch. Wider spacing risks a bird getting its head caught; narrower makes it harder for the bird to grip and climb. Horizontal bars on at least one side make climbing easier and give you more places to hang toys.
What goes inside
- Varied perches in different diameters and materials, so the bird’s feet aren’t gripping the same shape all day.
- Foraging toys that make food a small daily puzzle rather than something that just appears in a bowl.
- A stainless steel or ceramic food and water dish, cleaned daily.
- Placement away from direct kitchen fumes (non-stick cookware fumes are lethal to birds), drafts, and full sun with no shade option.
The cage is a starting point, not the whole answer
Even the right cage doesn’t replace daily time outside it. Plan on several hours of supervised out-of-cage time a day for a bird this social and intelligent.
Browse African grey parrots for sale, or read our frequently asked questions about bringing one home.