How should I make this cage feel more secure?

[Rowdy Hotel]

I purchased a pair of green singers last week, each from a different petstore to ensure the birds weren't related. After being in a cage for a week I have noticed that the female flips out very easily while the male is a lot calmer unless I attempt to open the cage for feed or water or whatever. I'm guessing the female was raised in an aviary indoors or outdoors and I purchased her shortly before she arrived at the store. The male had probably gotten used to a cage by then. The cage is good size and I am hoping they will breed but I'd like to cover the back, sides, and top for the birds to feel more secure. I have already introduced some fake foliage in the cage and am wondering if anybody has any tips on covering the walls.

[poohbear]

That's the trouble with the American all wire cages.They are no comparison to the European box cage when it comes to essential privacy.
Cover your cage with whatever is available...and loads of nest cover for Green Singers.
Some of them will never settle in cages..I gave it up and put them in large mixed flights eventually.Every time I entered the room with one pair,they would crash into the wire like maniacs.

[ac12]

I cover the back and both sides of ALL my cages with plastic sheeting. This gives them privacy, and it catches the POOP that they would otherwise shoot on the wall and floor.
For some of my breeding cages, I even cover the front with newspaper for more privacy/less distraction.
I stack my cages so only the top cage is open on top.

[Rowdy Hotel]

What kind of plastic do you use? I'm going to use some cardboard here in a pinch but it's a little unsightly. I've never seen those Euro style breeding boxes for sale here in a store, only online and they're expensive. The all wire cages are much cheaper both to buy and to ship I believe.

[B CAMP]

I use a product called colorplast it like a foam board white color can be used for signs,the last i got from the dollar store i used two for a cage $2.00 not bad

[CandoAviary]

I have used a decorative fabric... a bamboo print was my favorite , and I would clothespin it to the sides and back. It gives great privacy and can easily be changed out for washing....or just a change of fabric for a different look. For the top of the cage you could easily cover it with a flourescent strip light like used for aquariums.

Most time birds that are normally skittish do well when the cage is placed high. If the birds are above you they feel much more secure.
Many countries that keep singing birds in cages will hang them high. This will relax the bird and thus produce the singing they desire will be produced.

Most birds are more secure in an aviary due to the ability of escaping to a high loft. I notice the birds in the aviary are much less afraid of me and will come down for a visit. The security comes from the fact that they know they can escape. In a cage... the birds feel cornered. I have been able to rehabilate extremely flighty birds and that was by offering them security and then on a regular time through out the day I would approach the cage and put my hand in it. I would be very still and then remove it once the birds settled down. also with the removal of the hand I would leave a small treat...fruit, greens or millet. I As ythe birds became desensitized I would then move my hand before removing and treating. The birds became much calmer once they knew I was not a threat. Good lick with your singers.

[lovemyfinch]

Just one last little suggestion. I had problems getting my greensingers started, the reason, so much green covering that not only could I not see them bu=t they couldn't see me coming either (so too much is just as bad as none at all)

[ac12]

My plastic is sheet plastic from Home Depot.
It comes in a BIG roll.
I got it for underlayment under my house.
You could probably do it cheaper with a cheap shower curtain.