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Outdoor aviaries can be very beautiful, and the birds that live in them have the advantage of nonstop fresh air, natural light and access to rain water. They also have room to fly and exercise, and for many, such conditions contribute to successful breeding. Many people make a comfortable living or at least augment their incomes breeding and selling both exotic and non-exotic cage birds. Consider the following points before setting up an outdoor aviary.

Climate: Perhaps more than any other factor, the climate that you live in will dictate whether or not you should keep your bird or collection of birds outdoors. Temperate areas such as ours are suitable for housing exotic birds outdoors during most of the year and many non-exotic birds for the entire year. Research your bird’s native habitat. The closer our climate approximates its own, the more likely it can be comfortably maintained outdoors. Of course, conditions will not be identical. For example, breeding success with a bird indigenous to the desert will, in most cases, be hampered due to the fact that Alabama is so much more humid than the birds’ habitat of origin.

Zoning: Are there regulations governing the housing of birds outdoors in your neighborhood? If you are planning to build a free-standing aviary, will permits be required?

Noise Level: Noisier birds are most peacefully maintained outdoors by people with acreage. Two parrots, such as macaws, living together make more than twice as much noise as two macaws living separately in different neighborhoods where they can’t hear each other. If you are planning to breed or house loud and vocal birds in outdoor facilities, consider the effect of the noise on your neighbors. Then consider the effect on yourself when your neighbors complain to the authorities. If you live in a populated area, you might want to consider some of the less raucous species, such as lovebirds, budgies, Australian parakeets, African grays, Poicephalus, rosellas, Eclectus, plumheaded parakeets, Indian or African ringnecks, Brotogeris, lorikeets or less exotic species such as canaries, doves, pigeons, quail, pheasants or fancy chickens as aviary birds.

Security: If you plan to keep your birds outdoors, take steps to see that they are safeguarded. Can you place the aviary or outdoor cage out of view of passersby?

Is your property fenced? Do you have a dog or security system? Must you be away from home for long periods of time? Can you lock the aviary or padlock the cage? A thief is unlikely to try to leave with a large cage on his or her back!

Predators: You will also need to make the aviary or outdoor cage impenetrable to predators and scavengers. Unless the flights are suspended, a barrier, such as sheet metal sheathing, will be necessary around the bottom of the structure. Aviary wire must be of sufficient thickness to prevent chewing by birds or rodents. The wire mesh should also be fine enough…can you imagine going out to feed one morning and finding a $2000 parrot in the stomach of a chicken snake!

Is your bird suited to outdoor living? A single pet bird, bonded to its owner, will probably not be happy in an outdoor aviary. Birds that are paired, nontamed or show signs of discontent indoors may benefit from life in an aviary or outdoor cage.

You have all sorts of options when it comes to planning your bird’s outdoor domain but the aviary must conform to the space you have available, while affording the birds inside room to fly. Outdoor facilities should have double-door systems so that you can enter and close a door before opening another door to the bird chamber. Branches should be provided for climbing and roosting. Feeders should be located where food will be sheltered from the elements. Birds should also be able to seek protection from sun, wind and rain, as desired.