Why You Should Keep Your Bird Inside

Outdoor bird housing comes with serious risks

By
Alyson Kalhagen
Alyson Kalhagen
Alyson Kalhagen is an avian expert and writer with more than 10 years of combined professional experience as a veterinary technician and manager of a chain of successful pet stores. Her specialty is in avian behavior and socialization. Alyson owns several birds and has been featured in Bird Talk Magazine.
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Updated on 09/23/19
Pet bird enjoying free time in a room
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The vast majority of bird owners prefer to keep their feathered friends inside their homes. But some owners opt to house their birds in outdoor enclosures some or all of the time. While keeping pet birds outside can have several benefits, such as giving them a natural vitamin D boost from the sun, there are also serious risks to outdoor housing.

Discover some of the issues that can arise from keeping your bird outside, so you can make an informed decision about its housing.

  • 01 of 05

    Extreme Weather

    Monk parakeets in an outdoor aviary

    Sergio Mendoza Hochmann / Getty Images

    Exposure to extreme heat and cold weather can be detrimental to a bird's health. And it can be hard to insulate a birdcage effectively enough to protect its occupants from the harsh weather conditions they would encounter outside.

    Birds that get too hot or cold are at risk for fatal illnesses if they aren't able to get to proper shelter. Add other weather events—such as rain, hail, and lightning—and the risk of outdoor bird housing is further increased.

  • 02 of 05

    Exposure to Pathogens

    Budgie sitting in a cage

    Chieh Ming Chang / EyeEm / Getty Images

    Birds that live outside encounter a host of pathogens that can be avoided by living indoors. These include the avian flu, parasites, bacterial diseases, and more.

    While there are products available that claim to protect against some types of parasitic infections, it is very hard to prevent viral and bacterial diseases. Because of this, your best defense against these types of illnesses is to avoid exposing your bird in the first place.

  • 03 of 05

    An Increased Risk of Escape

    Bird escapes from bird cage

    Peter Dazeley / Getty Images

    A bird that is housed in an outdoor enclosure is, of course, at an increased risk of escape. If the bird happens to be a parrot of any type, then the risk goes up. These highly intelligent birds are known for figuring out how to open even the most complicated cage doors.

    If your bird escapes its outdoor enclosure, not only is it apt to fly away out of fear or curiosity, but it's also at risk of injury from environmental hazards. Plus, it might suffer extreme stress and shock, which can lead to illnesses and even death.

  • 04 of 05

    Predators

    Cat looking at caged parakeets

    Sally Brown / Getty Images

    Evolution has given our feathered friends the instincts and equipment necessary to escape predators many times—but not all of the time. Pet birds often have even more difficulties escaping harm's way than their wild counterparts, as their instincts for detecting danger aren't as sharply honed.

    All sorts of animals—including cats, dogs, snakes, and even other birds—might target your feathered friend as a potential meal if it's housed outdoors. Even if your bird is securely confined in its cage, there is always the chance that a predator finds a way inside the enclosure.

    Continue to 5 of 5 below.
  • 05 of 05

    Environmental Toxins

    Budgie in a bird cage hanging outside

    Mauricio Abreu / Getty Images

    Birds that live outside—even in a secure outdoor cage—are at risk of coming in contact with toxins in the environment that can make them seriously ill. These can be in the form of plants, pollution, or even insects that have been exposed to pesticides or other chemicals.

    Depending on your bird's size and the toxin involved, it sometimes doesn't take much exposure to have a serious or fatal reaction. And even if you're conscientious about potential toxins on your own property, often these hazards can travel great distances and sicken your bird.

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