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I didn't know it was that expensive to have a bird. Why is the cage and toys so expensive? Especially the cage.

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I think that cage is so expensive because it is quality made from galvanized steel. I also have a cage, smaller that is made from aluminum bars and plastic but it only cost me $30

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it's actually powder coated wrought iron. it's so expensive because-
1.) it has to comfortably house a macaw
2.) it will (hopefully) last a long time
3.) the design (all horizontal bars, rounded corners, external feeders)

it's a high-quality cage that, sadly, is not made anymore. i found a vendor who still had a few left and gave me a good deal because they are mostly one giant piece and take up a assload of space in his warehouse. (this is also why the shipping cost was so outrageously expensive that i'm not going to even admit how much it was) hopefully this is the only cage i'll ever have to buy for this guy. the only nicer cage i could have gotten would be to spend more than $3000 dollars on a stainless steel cage, and the design wouldn't have been nearly as good. i'm not sure why, but the only two high-end cage companies have both folded in the last few years, leaving no good choices for cages. i could have got a double macaw cage made in china for around $650 (+free shipping!) but it would have been a waste because in two years the paint would be chipping off and it would be rusted up and i'd need a new one. macaws live a long time, (i had to actually provide proof that this guy would be taken care of if he outlives me in order to adopt him- he most likely won't, but could live to be 80 years old) and a new cage every couple years is ridiculous.

parrots can be expensive to keep, but it depends on what kind you get. macaws and cockatoos are very expensive. budgies, not so much. you have to be careful buying toys for larger birds, to make sure they are safe. only stainless steel, and sturdier plastics, because they have big beaks and are very destructive. most of that $350 i spent was on wood to make toys out of. i had hoped it would last him until spring, but things aren't looking promising. maybe some harder wood next time.

it's also, i guess, about how expensive you want to make it. you can spend a thousand dollars on a cage for one bird, or you can spend thirty and stuff nine budgies into a shoebox. panzer, you could spend $120 and get those birds a flight cage that would be really nice for them. it would still be a piece of shit, but they're budgies, they don't need a heavy duty cage. and it wouldn't just be nice for them. you would get so much more enjoyment out of them if they could move and fly. what pleasure can you possibly be getting out of a bunch of poor little birds that can barely move around? (unless they get plenty of out of cage time, in which case i withdraw my bitching) maybe you give them mini-enemas and then jam them back into the bunker. i kind of hate myself for even attempting to speak seriously about this to you, and giving you an opportunity to do your "check me out, i'm an obtuse sleazeball!" routine.

anyway, if you actually would be interested in getting them a nicer cage, pm me. i would be thrilled to point you in the direction of some big, cheap cages. (some great deals, alex...)