Best Bird Travel Cage: 10 Options For All Types of Birds (2024)

Hi there, We travel with our birds everywhere, and we know how difficult it can be to figure out which bird travel cage is best. We also know that taking your feathered friend on vacation can be a daunting task, but don’t worry – we’re here to help. Regardless of where you are traveling, our selection of bird travel cages will ensure that your parrot or bird is safe and comfortable.

Bird travel cages are the perfect solution for taking your bird with you on the go. With various styles and sizes available, there will be a bird travel cage that fits your needs.

You can take your feathered friend with you with a bird travel cage. Whether you need a simple cage to take your bird to the vet or a parrot backpack to take your bird out on adventures with you – there’s a travel carrier for every bird species and lifestyle.

Additionally, we will go over the pros and cons of each type of cage. More importantly, why some are better for taking your bird to the vet, others are better for a road trip, and lastly, some work better on an airplane.

If you’re like most bird owners, at some point, you’ll want to take your pet on vacation with you. But finding a travel cage that is the right size and style for your bird can be tricky. Your African grey bird will like you more if you take them with you on adventures.

So no matter where you have to travel, we will have a suitable cage solution for you and your bird! We’ve put together this list of the 10 best bird travel cages so that you can find the perfect one for your feathered friend.

The Different Types of Bird Travel Cages

1. Simple – plastic bird travel cages – These are basic cages that are perfect for taking your bird to the vet. I like how it opens like a clamshell, so you will not have trouble getting your bird out of this bird’s travel carrier. Since once you open it, your bird is out and exposed, and you can easily ask your bird to “step up.”

2. Cloth bird travel cages – A soft-sided bird travel cage is lightweight and easy to transport, making them perfect for road trips with a small bird that does not tend to bite through things. I could not use this with my bird Coco because she would rip the cloth to shreds in no time.

3. Folding bird travel cages – These fold up for easy storage, making them ideal for traveling before getting the powder-coated cage, a folding bird travel cage. However, I still use this on occasion because it is very lightweight.

4. Wheeled bird travel cages – These cages have wheels, making them easy to transport and ideal for long trips. They are not as common as some of the other types; however, they exist.

5. Powder-coated metal bird travel cages – these cages are great for long trips, cross country trips, or weekend getaways. I will use this metal parrot carrier with my bird whenever I visit relatives. It’s big enough where your bird can stay in it for hours and not be cramped. However, I always bring a travel perch so that she can have some out-of-cage time each day.

6. Bird backpack – These backpacks are perfect for taking your bird on adventures with you. You can take your bird on hikes, walks through the city, even on dog walking adventures. Every time you walk your dog, you can also take your bird out on an adventure with a bird backpack.

Best Bird Carrier For Every Situation – 10 Travel Bird Cages

The Best Travel Cage for an African Grey Parrot – Prevue Pet Products Travel Carrier for Birds

The Prevue Pet Products Travel Carrier for Birds is a high-quality product that offers beneficial features to the bird and the owner. First and foremost, if you are going on a more extended trip in the car, then this is an excellent cage. The main downside is that it’s heavy.

Whether you have a Timneh African grey vs a Congo makes no difference with this travel cage for an African Grey.

There is enough room to add 1 or 2 toys so your bird can keep busy. Although whenever I am traveling with my bird, she rarely chews toys because many environmental stimuli are intriguing.

The powder-coated stainless steel cage is easy to clean, and the food bowls can be accessed from outside the cage, making it easier for you to change their food and water. Additionally, this carrier comes with a perch, making it more comfortable for the bird to travel.

My two favorite bird carriers are this cage and the collapsible bird carrier below. They are both an excellent design. Keep in mind that the collapsible bird carrier below is a lot lighter.

Size Height 15 inches, Width 14.5 inches, Length 18.4 inches

Best for what kind of bird? African Greys, co*ckatiel, Sun Conure, Lovebird, and other small to medium birds. A macaw, blue-fronted Amazon, and other large birds will not fit this bird travel carrier.

Pros

• Keep your bird safe while traveling.
• The bottom tray catches any fallen items.
• There is a handle on top for carrying.
• You can access the food bowls without sticking your hand in the cage.

Cons

• The cage is very heavy.
• Even though it says the food bowls lock in place, my African grey can continuously dump one of the bowls. I only put some water into that bowl since I know she’ll have fun pulling it out and tossing it.
• After a few years, I see some rust developing in the corners where each piece of metal meets. When you wash the cage after each use, make sure to dry it thoroughly. Completely drying the cage will solve this minor issue.

The Best Collapsible Bird Cage Prevue Hendryx Travel Bird Cage 1305

I have had this collapsible birdcage for over ten years now, and it’s still holding up. If you have a pet bird, this cage is a must because it can help you with many purposes.

I made a cross-country trip with my African Grey, and this is the same cage that she stayed in. It is lightweight. You can add toys, food bowls, and a perch. On top of that, it’s super easy to clean, just put it into the shower and hose it down with hot water.

I was stopping at a few hotels along the way, and I would bring her collapsible bird perch into the hotel room. The collapsible bird perch allowed her to stretch her wings and daily get out of the cage. My bird is happy with this cage. However, she loves traveling and loves adventure. If your bird does not like new environments, you may want to start bringing them places to get used to a long trip.

Last week I stayed at an AirBNB in the video below and once I arrived I set up my birds Tote bird stand travel perch.

If you store anything on the bottom tray, always cover it with a few layers of paper cage liners, so your bird doesn’t pull it through the bars to bite.

When comparing this to the heavier Prevue cage above, the width and the height are only slightly bigger. Lately, I have been using the Prevue cage above for all of my trips because the extra 2 inches in size makes a big difference if you add perch.

I love how you can pack this cage in your luggage and set it up when you arrive at your destination.

Size – Height 13 inches, Width 12.1 inches, Length 20 inches

Best for what kind of bird? African Greys, Quakers, Pionus, Senegals, co*ckatiel, Sun Conures, Lovebirds, and other small birds on the small/medium side to medium birds. A macaw, blue-fronted Amazon, and other large birds will not fit most bird travel carriers. Parakeets can get caught between the bars.

Pros

• It collapses for easy storage.
• There is a bottom try to store some paper cage liners and food.
• The smooth metal material makes it easy to clean.
• It’s lengthier than other cages, so your bird can move around.

Cons

• It’s not tall, so your bird’s head will be cramped when they sit on a perch.
• Since the bars are spaced 1 inch apart, it is not suitable for a small parakeet or other bird with a small head.

The Best Bird Backpack – Petsfit Bird Backpack

Suppose you are like you, wondering if your parrot can bite through the mesh. The simple answer is yes; any bird can; however, it will not be accessible with this bird backpack. It took so much research before I jumped in and made the purchase. It took so much research before I jumped in and made the purchase.

Do not chance it with this bird backpack if your bird bites on fabric, wood, and other objects. Just use a bird leash instead.

You need to know that each mesh panel also has a zippered cover. I would not leave my bird in here unattended, and if you are carrying your bird on your back, check in on the bird every so often. Make sure your feathered friend is not biting the bird backpack. The good news is, if you do see them chewing on a side pane,l then you can quickly zip up the side panel.

Most birds will be so busy looking around at the environment that they will not be focusing on biting the mesh. Also, the mesh is not easy for them to get into their beak, but if your bird is bored and is a known chewer, then use this with caution.

Another thing to note is that I would not use this for long car rides. That is mainly when your bird may be sitting there with time to focus on biting things. If someone will hold the bird backpack on their lap, and keep an eye on the bird, then it might be ok.

Size Length 13 inches, Width 10 inches, Height 16 inches

Best for what kind of bird? African Greys, Eclectus, Quakers, Pionus, Senegals, co*ckatiel, Sun Conures, Lovebirds, and other small birds on the small to medium birds.

Pros

• You can take your bird on a walk or hike with little effort.
• It has air vents to cool your bird down.
• You can modify it with your perch and toys.

Cons

• Since it smells like plastic from the factory, you must air it out for at least a week before using it. Do not expect just to open the package and stick your bird in there.
• Not suitable for a bird that tends to bite through things.
• There are 1-inch holes in the top, which is not good if you have a small bird like a parakeet.

The Best Macaw Backpack Carrier – by Celltei

The Celltei backpack bird carriers are awesome. For example, they are well thought out, with incredible stitching, with wire mesh air ventilation.

For those who love hiking, biking, and camping with their pets but constantly hold onto a large birdcage, Celltei’s Macaw backpack carrier is an excellent solution for those who love hiking, biking, and camping with their pets but constantly holding onto a large birdcage.

Most birds will be so enamored with the environment that they will not chew while in the carrier; however, there is always an exception! 😅😂😁

Size Length 15 inches, Width 15 inches, Height 32to 38 inches

Best for what kind of bird? Macaw, Goffins co*ckatoo, or another large bird.

Pros

• It has multiple support bars.
• They will ship this worldwide.
• Creates a safe way to take your Macaw with you on adventures.
• Expensive (but worth it).
• You can remove the floor panel to reduce the weight.
• It comes with both backpack straps and shoulder straps.
• The company put a lot of care and thought into the design, hence the stainless steel mesh, and heavy canvas. However, we all know nothing is completely birdproof if your bird is bored and in the mood for chewing.

Cons

• The 38 inches may not fit in some cars, so measure your interior first.

The Best Airline Bird Carrier Doskocil Two-Door Top-Loading Kennel + Doskocil Clamshell Top-Loading

When going on an airplane, you will want to invest in airline-approved bird travel carriers. I have taken my African Grey parrot on many flights, and this is the best airline bird carrier out there. I still have it after 10 years and multiple trips say something about the high quality. However, it’s no longer available on amazon but I did see it on Ebay.

If you are wondering how do you bring birds on a plane then you are in the right place. First and foremost you’ll need to find airline-approved bird carriers. Both of these will fit under the seat in front of you, which is the requirement for most airlines.

Pro Tip: Use a zip tie or carabiner on the metal grate that slides open, so your bird cannot slide it open, on their own.

Size The tan crate that I use with the air vents on the bottom: Doskocil – Length 15 inches, Width 10.5 inches, Height 8 inches

The other crate I am linking to if you can’t find the tan one: Lenth 19.40 inches, Width 12.80 inches, Height 10 inches

Best for what kind of bird? African Greys, co*ckatiel, Sun Conures, parakeets, Lovebirds, and other small to medium birds. A macaw, blue-fronted Amazon, and other large birds will not fit in this bird travel carrier.

Pros

• It has a slider on top so you can hand your bird snacks while on the flight.
• They are both front loading, so your bird will not give you trouble when you need to take them out.
• It is hard plastic; great if your parrots bite through the cloth.
• It’s easy to clean.
• You can quickly secure one of the rope perches to either crate.

Cons

• One crate has bottom air vents so you can secure a wooden perch, but the other doesn’t. (but you can easily connect one of the rope perches to the openings on the side.
• Your bird will be cramped, but you keep in mind that this is just for transporting your bird safely, and not good as a permanent home.

The Best co*ckatiel Travel Cage – Featherland Paradise, Perch ‘n Go.

Featherland Paradise, Perch ‘n Go isn’t just a travel cage for your bird. It’s their home away from home when your traveling. With a 360 degree view of their surroundings, they’ll never feel cooped up again.

And with the durable construction, your bird can explore to their heart’s content. Plus, with the easy assembly, it means you’ll be up and flying in no time.

Size Width 10 inches, Length 13 inches, Height 15 inches

Best for what kind of bird? co*ckatiels, African Greys, Conures, Quakers, Cacique, and other small/medium birds

Pros

• 360° view of everything, which is important for parrots.
• Great for camping, hiking, or short road trips.
• Sturdy

Cons

• You’ll have to replace the plastic handle perch with your own perch.
• The handle may come apart, and you’ll have to take a few screws to set it in place.
• The door latch is not secure, so if you have a parrot-like African Grey they will figure out how to open it. You can secure it with a zip tie or carabiner.
• It is not airline approved, and will not fit under a seat.
• The food bowls are plastic, but you can easily buy a metal replacement bowl.
• Some people have problems with assembly, however, for me it was easy.

The Best co*ckatoo Travel Cages – Prevue Pet Products co*ckatoo Carrier

The wrought iron build is tough enough to withstand even the strongest of birds, and there’s plenty of room inside for a perch (any type your bird likes) and foraging toys.

But my favorite feature is the bird-proof door lock. It keeps any co*ckatoo safe and secure, and I know it will do the same for your bird.

So if you’re in the market for a new co*ckatoo carrier, I highly recommend this one from Prevue Pet Products!

Size Height 15 inches, Width 14.5 inches, Length 18.4 inches

Best for what kind of bird? co*ckatoos, African Greys, Conures, Eclectus, Senegals, and other medium birds.

Pros

• Keep your bird safe while traveling.
• The bottom tray catches any fallen items.
• There is a handle on top for carrying.
• You can access the food bowls without sticking your hand in the cage.

Cons

• The cage is very heavy.
• Even though it says the food bowls lock in place, my bird is able to dump one of the bowls continuously.
• After a few years, I do see some rust developing in the corners where each piece of metal meets. When you wash the cage after each use, make sure to towel dry it thoroughly. Completely drying the cage will solve this minor issue.

The Best Small Bird Carrier – VIVOHOME 19 Inch Acrylic Bird Travel Carrier Cage

Are you a bird enthusiast who loves to take your small birds out for a spin? If so, you need the VIVOHOME Best Small Bird Carrier! This top-of-the-line carrier is made with non-toxic transparent acrylic and steel, ensuring that your birds will be safe and comfortable during your journey.

It’s hard to find a good small bird carrier because most are made for giant bird-like African greys and co*ckatoos. A cage that is good for a medium to large bird will not be safe for a small bird; there may be places they can escape or get their head stuck. So be careful when choosing a small bird carrier.

Many of the other backpack-type small bird carriers, come with one-inch holes for air ventilation, which can cause your bird to either escape or get its head stuck. So we made sure to choose the best small bird carrier that will

There’s enough room for a perch (any type your bird likes), and foraging toys mean that your birds will have plenty of extra space to move around and stay entertained. The multiple food dishes and portable feeders are great for keeping your birds fed and hydrated while on the go.

So if you’re looking for the best small bird carrier on the market, look no further than the VIVOHOME Best Small Bird Carrier!

Size Length 18.5 inches, Width 13.8, inches Height 24.4 inches

Best for what kind of bird? Parakeets, co*ckatiels, Blue Parrotlets, Finches, Budgies, and other small birds.

Pros

• The space between the bars is small enough, so your bird can’t escape.
• You can use it as a travel cage and small bird carrier.
• You can easily move the cage around from room to room.

Cons

• The directions were not clear for putting the cage together.
• There are no side doors to get the bird in and out. Howver you can unclip the cage from the bottom to get your bird out if they are hand shy.

The Best Macaw Travel Cage by Pennzoni

The Best Macaw Travel Cage

• A good solution to bring your Macaw to the vet
• Made in USA
• Acrylic with air vents

Check Price

Traveling with a macaw is not easy because they need more room than most other parrots. When you are looking for the best macaw travel cage, you’ll see there are not many options.

A macaw will range in length from 19 – 40 inches from the head to the tail. You don’t want their tail to be cramped in a too-small cage. Make sure you measure your bird first before purchasing a travel carrier.

This acrylic macaw travel cage will allow you to safely take your bird to the vet or on a car ride. How, ever many people with macaws, many people choose to use the Aviator Harness Leash instead of a carrier. Keep in mind that many veterinarians insist that your bird is in a travel cage.

Size Length 27 inches x Width 12 inches x Height 17 inches

Best for what kind of bird? Macaw, mini Macaw, co*ckatoo, African Grey, Amazon, or another medium to large bird.

Pros

• The Macaw travel cage will collapse and store away.
• It has UV protection.
• They offer local pickup (Michigan), standard shipping, and worldwide shipping.
• It’s handmade.
• The company can make other sizes if you measure your bird and it’s too small.

Cons

• The ventilation holes are on the small side.

The Best Travel Cage for Taking Your Bird to the Vet – The Best Airline Bird Carrier Doskocil Two-Door Top-Loading Kennel + Doskocil Clamshell Top-Loading

For some reason, this carrier is no longer available on Amazon, the only place I saw it was Ebay. Therefore I am linking to a similar type of carrier with the same principle for how it opens.

I am linking this other version to this different version on Amazon by the same brand. The reason why I like this one for the vet is that it opens wide from the top. However, it does not have air vents on the bottom. Having the bottom air vents allows you to secure a perch. However, it’s not very tall if you have a medium bird like an African Grey.

It can be hard to get your bird out of a cage with just a door, they may be too nervous in a vet’s office to come out. To make things easier on the veterinarian, it’s good to bring your bird in a cage that opens from the top is good. Once it’s open your bird will be exposed with nowhere to hide and will likely step up onto your hand.

Not only do I use this for trips to the vet, but use it as an airline-approved bird carrier as well. I brought my African Grey on many airplane trips in this crate. Just be sure to pack a larger cage for when you arrive at your destination.

Pro Tip: Use a zip tie or carabiner on the metal grate that slides open, so your bird cannot slide it open, on their own.

Size The tan crate that I use with the air vents on the bottom: Doskocil – Length 15 inches, Width 10.5 inches, Height 8 inches

The other crate I am linking to if you can’t find the tan one: Lenth 19.40 inches, Width 12.80 inches, Height 10 inches

Best for what kind of bird? African Greys, co*ckatiel, Sun Conures, parakeets, Lovebirds, and other small to medium birds. A macaw, blue-fronted Amazon, and other large birds will not fit in this bird travel carrier.

Pros

• Has a metal grate on top, that you can slide open to give your bird a treat.
• It has air vents along the sides, which you can easily secure a perch.
• It is a hard plastic, so your bird will not bite through this travel bird carrier

Cons

• It is very small and not good for long trips. Only good for short trips to the vet or as an airline-approved bird carrier.
• It is hard to find this exact crate online, there are a few used ones on eBay.

What Is A Bird Travel Cage And Why You Need One

If you have a bird, sooner or later you’re going to have to take it somewhere. Maybe you’re going on vacation and don’t want to leave your bird behind, or maybe your bird needs to go to the vet. A best bird travel cage allows you to transport your bird with ease.

In these cases, you’ll need a bird travel cage. A good bird travel cage will be safe for your bird and easy for you to transport.

5 Benefits Of Using A Bird Carrier

• Take your bird on adventures.
• Prevent escape, and provide a sense of security for your pet.
• Keeps your bird safe during travel or while at home.
• Provides a sense of safety and comfort in unfamiliar surroundings such as vet offices or airplane rides.
• Bring your bird outside for fresh air and sunshine. Most birds need daily sunlight to stay healthy.

5 Things To Look For In A Best Bird Travel Cage

There are a few things to consider when choosing a bird travel cage.

Size

The first is size. You’ll want a cage that is big enough for your bird to move around in, but not too big or bulky that it’s hard to carry.

Cage Door

The next thing to consider is whether the cage opens from the top of the front. I prefer cages that open from the top for specific situations as it’s easier to get your bird in and out.

Ventilation

The third thing is that you’ll want to make sure the cage has good ventilation so your bird can breathe easily.

Material

If your bird tends to bite things (most larger birds do), then a cloth carrier like some bird backpack carriers is not a good option. If you are not paying attention to your bird, then all it takes is a few minutes for them to tear through a cloth bird backpack carrier, if they are determined.

Food Bowl Access

Can you access the food bowls without opening up the entire cage? Having easy outside access to food and water bowls is important if you are worried about your bird escaping.

FAQs For Traveling With A bird

Can you take birds on a plane?

Yes, you can easily bring a bird on a plane with a good airline bird carrier. Your bird will have to fit under the seat in front of you, however, with the proper bird carrier that won’t be a problem. Usually, after the plane takes off, I am able to bring my bird’s cage onto my lap.

Can I use a dog carrier for a bird?

Yes, you can use a dog carrier for a bird, if you have nothing else to use. Just be aware that the bottom of the carrier will be a mess with bird poop and food. You can secure a perch to the side of the dog carrier so your bird has something comfortable to stand on.

Just be aware that your bird will need a bath after staying in a dog carrier for more than a few hours. They will probably accidentally step in their poop, so a shower or bath is a must after a trip.

Another thing to do is to measure the ventilation opening in the dog carrier, you do not want your bird to be able to get its head through the openings.

How do you get a bird in a travel cage?

Some birds are easygoing, and if they already know the command “step up,” you can ask them to “step up” and then place them in the carrier. Always give them their favorite treat after you put them into the carrier. Most birds will enjoy the change of scenery, so once they begin associating the carrier with positive things, they will see the carrier in a positive light.

On the contrary, if your parrot is terrified of the carrier, I suggest you do some positive associations/training with your bird and transport. You will use the counterconditioning method of training.

I would suggest starting slow. Here are some steps for getting a fearful bird into a travel cage. Each step will take a few days to a few weeks, and requires a lot of time and patience.

Step 1

Place the travel carrier near their cage, once you find the distance where your bird is tolerating it, reward your bird with nuts, seeds, or other favorite treats. One key thing is to make sure you bird is hungry when you start the training. So don’t give your bird their food beforehand because you want your bird to be motivated to get the treatment you offer.

Next, you will begin moving the travel carrier closer by one inch; move it back if your bird is scared. This process may take three to 6 weeks, depending on your bird and how much training you do.

Step 2

Take your bird out of their cage and allow them to be out and about with the travel cage nearby.

Step 3

Place some of your bird’s favorite foods on top of the travel cage; make sure your bird is hungry that day. As long as your bird is comfortable eating off the carrier, you are almost ready to place them into the travel cage.

Step 4

Place some of your bird’s favorite treats inside of the carrier.

Step 5

Once your bird completes each step with confidence, you can then be ready to place them in the carrier and close the door. Sit with your bird and talk calmly to them while in the travel bird carrier.

More importantly, remember that some birds are just particular and will never be 100% comfortable with the carrier, and that’s ok. Birds have their personalities and quirks, just like humans, dogs, cats, and other animals.

Are birds good for traveling?

Yes, most birds will enjoy traveling. My bird Coco loves going into her bird carrier because she will get to see and experience new things. She has a positive association with her travel carrier. The first time I took her on an airplane, I was worried that she would cause a ruckus and disturb the entire plane with her talking, beeping, imitating, and loud sounds.

However, she did not make a peep the entire plane trip. When taking in the environment around her, she is usually very quiet. I think it’s because she is studying her surroundings.

Final Thoughts on the Best Bird Travel Cage

If you’re like me, and you love taking your bird on trips, you’ll need a good quality travel cage. Depending on your birds’ size, there are 10 different types of cages to choose from. The best bird travel cages are made of sturdy materials, have plenty of ventilation, and include a perch and food/water dishes.

So, whether you’re taking a hike, a short road trip, or a long flight, make sure your bird has a comfortable and safe place to stay while you’re on the go.