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Buying guideCages by Bird

Best Bird Cages for African Greys (2026): Against the 40 x 30 x 60 Minimum

By Bird Cage ReviewPublished 8 min readHow we research

Affiliate disclosure: product links on this page go to Amazon, or to the maker's own store for brands that sell only direct. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you; a link to a maker's store earns us nothing. No retailer or brand sees our picks before they are published or has any say in them. How we choose.

The Merck Veterinary Manual's minimum for an African grey, an Amazon or a small cockatoo is 40 by 30 by 60 inches with 0.75-inch bars (the table prints "0.751", which we read as a footnote mark and treat as 0.75 to 1, an inference); VCA Animal Hospitals gives 3 by 3 by 4 feet. Retail charts put greys and Amazons at 3/4 to 1 inch. Few cages reach the Merck row, and this guide ranks by how close each comes at a spacing of 3/4 to 1 inch. The A&E walk-in aviary (86 by 62 by 79 inches, 1-inch spacing, 5 mm bars) is the one that clears everything, at about $2,740; the Seny double cage (64 by 32 by 73, 1 inch, divider out) is the one under $900 that does; the Flyline corner aviary clears it at 3/4-inch spacing in a corner. The Prevue Imperial stainless and Prevue stainless playtop are the uncoated-stainless choices VCA prefers, both under the Merck depth; the Flyline XXL flight cage and Mcage XX-Large are the big powder-coated boxes that come close.

Greys chew and climb, so the wire gauge and the locks matter as much as the gap, and greys are a powder-down species, so the cage has to clean. Every pick shows its interior against both minimums.

Our top picks at a glance

  1. 1. Best overall (meets the minimum)

    A&E Walk-In Aviary WI8662 (86 x 62 x 79 in, 1 in spacing, 5 mm bars)

    Interior: 86 x 62 x 79 in; interior height 79 in (per the Amazon listing) · Bar spacing: 1 in; 5 mm bars (per the Amazon listing) · Against the minimums: Clears Merck (40 x 30 x 60) and VCA (36 x 36 x 48) by a wide margin; 1 in spacing is the retail upper figure for greys

    Amazon

  2. 2. Best under $900 (meets the minimum)

    Seny Double Wrought Iron Bird Cage with Divider (64 x 32 x 73 in, 1 in spacing)

    Interior: 64 x 32 x 73 in without seed skirt (per the Amazon listing) · Bar spacing: 1 in (per the Amazon listing) · Against the minimums: Clears Merck and VCA with the divider out; each half (32 x 32 x 73) is under Merck's 40 in length

    Amazon

  3. 3. Best at 3/4-inch spacing

    Flyline Corner Bird Cage, extra large (51.2 x 51.2 x 73 in, 3/4 in spacing)

    Interior: Not stated; 51.2 x 51.2 x 73 in overall with seed skirt (per the Amazon listing) · Bar spacing: 3/4 in; 1/8 in bars (per the Amazon listing) · Against the minimums: Clears Merck and VCA by the overall figures; interior not stated

    Amazon

  4. 4. Best stainless steel

    Prevue Imperial Extra Large Stainless Bird Cage 3457 (39 1/4 x 25 7/8 x 60 in interior, 1 in spacing, 8 gauge)

    Interior: 39 1/4 x 25 7/8 x 60 in (Prevue) · Bar spacing: 1 in; 8 gauge (Prevue) · Against the minimums: 3/4 in short of Merck's length, 4 1/8 in of its depth; over VCA's length and height, 10 in short of its depth

    Prevue Pet Products

  5. 5. Best stainless with a play top

    Prevue Large Stainless Steel Playtop Bird Cage 3455 (31.5 x 23.6 x 61.25 in, 1 in spacing)

    Interior: Not stated; cage 31.5 x 23.625 x 61.25 in (per the Amazon listing) · Bar spacing: 1 in (per the Amazon listing) · Against the minimums: 8.5 in short of Merck's length and 6.4 in of its depth; 4.5 in short of VCA's length

    Amazon

  6. 6. Best tall flight cage

    Flyline XXL Flight Cage (35.5 x 35.5 x 80 in, 1 in spacing)

    Interior: Not stated; 35.5 x 35.5 x 80 in overall (per the Amazon listing) · Bar spacing: 1 in (per the Amazon listing) · Against the minimums: Depth and height clear both; 4.5 in short of Merck's 40 in length, 0.5 in short of VCA's 36

    Amazon

  7. 7. Best under $600

    Mcage XXL Play Top Wrought Iron Parrot Cage (36 x 28 x 52 in interior, 1 in spacing)

    Interior: 36 x 28 x 52 in (per the Amazon listing) · Bar spacing: 1 in (per the Amazon listing) · Against the minimums: 4 in short of Merck's length, 2 of its depth, 8 of its height; over VCA's length and height, 8 in short of its depth

    Amazon
1

Best overall (meets the minimum)

A&E Walk-In Aviary WI8662 (86 x 62 x 79 in, 1 in spacing, 5 mm bars)

A&E's 86 by 62 by 79 inch walk-in aviary with 1-inch spacing and 5 mm bars: twice the Merck row in length and depth, with a door you walk through.

Interior
86 x 62 x 79 in; interior height 79 in (per the Amazon listing)
Bar spacing
1 in; 5 mm bars (per the Amazon listing)
Against the minimums
Clears Merck (40 x 30 x 60) and VCA (36 x 36 x 48) by a wide margin; 1 in spacing is the retail upper figure for greys
Overall
86 x 62 x 79 in; 340 lb; door 69 x 25 in (per the Amazon listing)

Pros

  • The only cage here a grey can fly in
  • Key-locked walk-in door, three swing-out feeders with stainless bowls
  • A&E names umbrella cockatoos, greys, Amazons and Pionus for its walk-ins (retailer listing)

Cons

  • $2,740 and 340 lb; freight and a room
  • Indoor only: retailers' listings say not for outdoor use
  • A&E's own site shows no product page we could find; the Amazon listing is the spec source

A&E's WI8662 walk-in aviary is listed at 86 by 62 by 79 inches with a 79-inch interior height, 1-inch bar spacing, 5 mm bars, a 69 by 25 inch key-locked front door, three swing-out feeder doors with stainless bowls, powder-coated metal, 340 pounds, ships in several boxes with the base sold separately. It is an indoor flight for a grey, not a cage, and the indoor aviary guide treats it as one. One inch is the top of the retail range for greys and above Merck's 0.75; a grey's head does not pass 1 inch, but check your bird.

Check price on Amazon
2

Best under $900 (meets the minimum)

Seny Double Wrought Iron Bird Cage with Divider (64 x 32 x 73 in, 1 in spacing)

A 64 by 32 by 73 inch double cage with a slide-out divider: one huge cage for a grey, or two 32-inch cages, 1-inch spacing, $830.

Interior
64 x 32 x 73 in without seed skirt (per the Amazon listing)
Bar spacing
1 in (per the Amazon listing)
Against the minimums
Clears Merck and VCA with the divider out; each half (32 x 32 x 73) is under Merck's 40 in length
Overall
64 x 32 x 73 in; 198 lb (per the Amazon listing)

Pros

  • 64 inches of length for a grey to fly
  • Divider makes it two cages for two birds that do not share
  • Removable trays and grates, large front doors

Cons

  • 198 lb
  • Unbranded beyond "Seny"; the listing is the spec
  • 1 in spacing is the retail upper figure

Seny's double cage is listed at 64 by 32 by 73 inches without the seed skirt, 1-inch bar spacing, a slide-out centre divider, removable trays and grates and large front doors, at 198 pounds. With the divider out it is the cheapest cage we found that clears Merck's grey row; with it in, each half is a 32-inch cage that does not. The multiple-bird guide has it for two birds.

Check price on Amazon
3

Best at 3/4-inch spacing

Flyline Corner Bird Cage, extra large (51.2 x 51.2 x 73 in, 3/4 in spacing)

The corner aviary at Merck's 0.75-inch figure with 1/8-inch bars, 73 inches tall and 51 inches along each wall with the skirt.

Interior
Not stated; 51.2 x 51.2 x 73 in overall with seed skirt (per the Amazon listing)
Bar spacing
3/4 in; 1/8 in bars (per the Amazon listing)
Against the minimums
Clears Merck and VCA by the overall figures; interior not stated
Overall
51.2 x 51.2 x 73 in; 150 lb (per the Amazon listing)

Pros

  • Merck's spacing exactly
  • Corner footprint
  • Opening top for a play area

Cons

  • Interior not stated and the skirt is in the overall
  • Triangular floor
  • $760

Flyline's Parrot Escape Jumbo Corner (X-Large) is listed at 73 inches tall and 51.2 inches on each wall side including the seed skirt, 3/4-inch spacing, 1/8-inch bars, two wood perches, four swing feeder gates, a large door and an opening top. It is the grey cage for an owner who wants Merck's 0.75 spacing rather than the retail 1 inch, in a corner.

Check price on Amazon
4

Best stainless steel

Prevue Imperial Extra Large Stainless Bird Cage 3457 (39 1/4 x 25 7/8 x 60 in interior, 1 in spacing, 8 gauge)

Prevue's all-stainless Imperial: 39 1/4 by 25 7/8 by 60 inside, 1-inch spacing in 8-gauge wire, the uncoated stainless VCA calls most preferable; 4 inches under Merck's depth.

Interior
39 1/4 x 25 7/8 x 60 in (Prevue)
Bar spacing
1 in; 8 gauge (Prevue)
Against the minimums
3/4 in short of Merck's length, 4 1/8 in of its depth; over VCA's length and height, 10 in short of its depth
Overall
41 1/4 x 27 7/8 x 73 3/4 in (Prevue)

Pros

  • Uncoated stainless: nothing to chip or chew off
  • 8-gauge wire, two bird-proof lock styles, four lock-in stainless cups
  • Prevue publishes every figure

Cons

  • Under the Merck depth
  • About $1,000 at retailers; not on Amazon when read
  • Prevue names cockatiels for it too, which the 1 in spacing does not suit

Prevue lists the Imperial (3457) at 41 1/4 by 27 7/8 by 73 3/4 overall and 39 1/4 by 25 7/8 by 60 inside, 1-inch spacing in 8-gauge stainless, four lock-in stainless cups, a textured stainless H perch, half-width grilles and trays and lockable casters, for cockatiels, Amazons, African greys and other medium-to-large birds. VCA's housing pages say uncoated stainless steel is the most preferable material, and for a powder-down species that gets wiped down weekly that is worth the price; the stainless guide compares it with Prevue's playtop stainless below.

See it at Prevue Pet Products
5

Best stainless with a play top

Prevue Large Stainless Steel Playtop Bird Cage 3455 (31.5 x 23.6 x 61.25 in, 1 in spacing)

Prevue's stainless playtop cage: 31.5 by 23.6 by 61.25 inches with 1-inch spacing, stainless perches and cups, a rooftop ladder, $1,000; well under the Merck row.

Interior
Not stated; cage 31.5 x 23.625 x 61.25 in (per the Amazon listing)
Bar spacing
1 in (per the Amazon listing)
Against the minimums
8.5 in short of Merck's length and 6.4 in of its depth; 4.5 in short of VCA's length
Overall
31.5 x 23.6 x 61.25 in; 76 lb (per the Amazon listing)

Pros

  • Stainless bars, perches and cups
  • Play top with ladder
  • Prevue names greys, cockatiels and Amazons for it

Cons

  • The smallest cage here by floor area
  • Only 3 in stock when read
  • $1,000

Prevue's Large Stainless Steel Playtop Bird Cage (model 3455) is listed at 31.5 by 23.625 by 61.25 inches with 1-inch spacing, stainless perches and feeder cups, a removable grille and tray, a rolling stand and a rooftop ladder, for African greys, cockatiels and Amazons. It is stainless and it is small for a grey by both tables; a grey that lives on the play top and sleeps in the cage is the use.

Check price on Amazon
6

Best tall flight cage

Flyline XXL Flight Cage (35.5 x 35.5 x 80 in, 1 in spacing)

35.5 by 35.5 by 80 inches at 1-inch spacing with a 17 by 37 inch door: over VCA's depth and height, 4.5 inches under Merck's length.

Interior
Not stated; 35.5 x 35.5 x 80 in overall (per the Amazon listing)
Bar spacing
1 in (per the Amazon listing)
Against the minimums
Depth and height clear both; 4.5 in short of Merck's 40 in length, 0.5 in short of VCA's 36
Overall
35.5 x 35.5 x 80 in (per the Amazon listing)

Pros

  • 80 inches tall
  • Big door
  • Four feeder cups with swing-out doors

Cons

  • Taller than it is wide, the shape VCA discourages
  • $661, 14 left when read
  • Listing figures only

Flyline's XXL flight cage is listed at 80 by 35.5 by 35.5 inches with 1-inch spacing, a 17 by 37 inch front door, removable grate and tray, and four feeder cups with swing-out doors. The footprint is nearly VCA's 3 by 3 feet; the height is the selling point, and VCA's shape rule says length matters more. For a grey it is a tall cage, not a long one.

Check price on Amazon
7

Best under $600

Mcage XXL Play Top Wrought Iron Parrot Cage (36 x 28 x 52 in interior, 1 in spacing)

36 by 28 by 52 inches inside with 1-inch bars, a 10 by 34 inch door, stainless cups on swivel doors and an open play top, $550.

Interior
36 x 28 x 52 in (per the Amazon listing)
Bar spacing
1 in (per the Amazon listing)
Against the minimums
4 in short of Merck's length, 2 of its depth, 8 of its height; over VCA's length and height, 8 in short of its depth
Overall
43.5 x 35.5 x 68 in with stand, seed guards and play top (per the Amazon listing)

Pros

  • The listing states an interior figure
  • Four stainless cups, breeding door, metal safety lock
  • Play top with double ladders

Cons

  • One left when read
  • Unbranded beyond "Mcage"
  • Under both tables

Mcage's XX-Large play-top cage is listed at 36 by 28 by 52 inches inside, 1-inch spacing, a 10 by 34 inch swing-out door with a metal lock, four stainless cups on swivel feeder doors, a breeding door, a wood perch and an open play top with ladders. It is the biggest interior under $600 we found with the listing's figures stated; it is still under the Merck row on every side.

Check price on Amazon

How we chose

Interior size (maker's where published, otherwise the listing's) and bar spacing against the Merck Veterinary Manual's 40 by 30 by 60 inches at 0.75-inch spacing and VCA's 3 by 3 by 4 feet for greys and Amazons, ranked by how close each comes at 3/4 to 1 inch, which is the range retail charts give for these birds. Prices are from October 9, 2026.

The minimums

SourceMinimumBar spacing
Merck Veterinary Manual (African grey, Amazon, small cockatoo)40 x 30 x 60 in0.75 in (printed "0.751")
VCA Animal Hospitals (African grey, Amazon)3 x 3 x 4 ft (36 x 36 x 48 in)Head and legs cannot pass
Retail chart (Exotic Wings; not veterinary)3/4 to 1 in

Every pick against the table

CageInterior (in)BarsMerck 40 x 30 x 60VCA 36 x 36 x 48Price
A&E walk-in WI866286 x 62 x 791YesYes$2,740
Seny double, divider out64 x 32 x 731YesYes$830
Flyline corner X-Large51.2 x 51.2 x 73 overall3/4Yes (overall)Yes (overall)$760
Prevue Imperial 345739 1/4 x 25 7/8 x 601No: L 3/4, D 4 1/8No: D 10$1,000
Prevue stainless playtop 345531.5 x 23.6 x 61.251No: L, DNo: L, D$1,000
Flyline XXL flight35.5 x 35.5 x 80 overall1No: L 4.5No: L 0.5$661
Mcage XX-Large36 x 28 x 521No: L, D, HNo: D$550

Buying guide

Material

VCA: rectangular powder-coated or stainless cages, uncoated stainless most preferable; wood, wicker and bamboo chewed through and impossible to disinfect; painted cages chip and some older coatings contain zinc. A grey's beak and its dust both argue for stainless; the comparison prices the difference.

Wire gauge

Dr. Latas (PetMD): bars a large bird cannot bend, and no converging bars. Prevue states 8 gauge on the Imperial; A&E's listing states 5 mm bars; Flyline states 1/8 inch. A listing with no gauge has not told you whether a grey can bend it.

Locks

Greys open latches. Prevue's Imperial has two lock styles; the Mcage a metal safety lock; A&E a key lock. A clip on the door is cheap insurance on the others.

Dust and cleaning

Greys and cockatoos shed powder down. Half-width trays (Prevue Imperial) and smooth bars wipe down faster; the air purifier guide sizes a HEPA unit by AHAM's rule for the room.

Spacing

Merck's 0.75 against the retail 3/4 to 1. The finger test (MSPCA, citing the AAV) settles it for your bird: a finger as thick as the wing must not fit between the bars.

What to skip

Skip 1 3/8-inch macaw cages for a grey unless the finger test passes. Skip domed cages (converging bars). Skip play-top cages whose cage is under 36 inches long if it is the only space the bird has. And skip galvanized or unlabelled coatings on a cage a grey will chew; the safety checklist has the zinc study.

Frequently asked questions

What size cage does an African grey need?

Merck's table: 40 by 30 by 60 inches with 0.75-inch bars (printed 0.751). VCA: 3 by 3 by 4 feet. The A&E walk-in aviary, the Seny double cage with its divider out and the Flyline corner aviary clear both; Prevue's Imperial stainless is 4 inches short in depth.

What bar spacing does an African grey need?

Merck gives 0.75 inch; retail charts give 3/4 to 1 inch. Most large cages are 1 inch; a grey's head does not pass that, but confirm with the finger test on your bird.

Is a stainless steel cage worth it for a grey?

VCA calls uncoated stainless the most preferable cage material, and a grey's chewing and dust are the two reasons. Prevue's Imperial (39 1/4 by 25 7/8 by 60 inside, 8 gauge) is about $1,000; a powder-coated cage of similar size is $550 to $760.

Can an Amazon parrot use the same cages?

Yes. Merck and VCA put greys and Amazons in the same row (40 by 30 by 60 and 3 by 3 by 4 feet), and the retail spacing range is the same 3/4 to 1 inch.

Is the Flyline XXL flight cage good for a grey?

It is 80 inches tall on a 35.5 by 35.5 inch footprint: over VCA's depth and height, 4.5 inches short of Merck's length. VCA says length matters more than height, so it is a tall cage rather than a long one.

Which grey cage is cheapest that meets the minimum?

Seny's 64 by 32 by 73 inch double cage with the divider out, about $830, at 1-inch spacing. The next cheapest that meet it are the Flyline corner ($760, 3/4 inch) and the A&E walk-in ($2,740).

Sources

  1. Minimum and Bar Spacing Recommendations (table), Merck Veterinary Manual
  2. Housing Large Birds, VCA Animal Hospitals
  3. How to Set Up the Perfect Bird Cage, PetMD (Dr. Patricia Latas, DVM)
  4. Suggestions for Housing Birds, MSPCA-Angell
  5. Imperial Extra Large Stainless Bird Cage 3457, Prevue Pet Products
  6. Which Bar Spacing Is Right For My Bird? (retail chart), Exotic Wings and Pet Things (retailer)

Cover photo: African grey parrot bird, CC0 1.0, via rawpixel. Cropped.

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