FINCHforum

Every now and then I see people refer to larger cages/flights as aviaries and refer to smaller aviaries as cages/flights. What's the difference? When does a large enough cage/flight become an aviary and vice versa?

I think this is the official definition.

"An aviary is a large enclosure for confining birds. Unlike cages, aviaries allow birds a larger living space where they can fly; hence, aviaries are also sometimes known as flight cages. Aviaries often contain plants and shrubbery to simulate a natural environment."

I guess it all depends on a persons perspective but my take on it is:

Flights- allows birds full flight. When it comes to finches this could be as little as 36 inches but even larger is better. Many times these are only 2 feet in height, 2 feet in width; but long. Flights are usually rectangle in shape and somewhat setup with ease of utility service. Many large breeding business and quarentine stations have large flights made of all metal and wire. These type flights are usually tall and more kennel like in apperance.

Aviaries are something that has a door that you can walk into. So they are always at least 6 foot or taller. Also they are much roomier in other dimensions as to being able to walk into and move about comfortably. These may be indoors and combined with plant collections but one usually thinks of an aviary being outdoors.
Aviaries are usually more permanent structures and often have architectual details that make them most attractive. You will find aviaries made out of many different type material, metal, wood, cedar shakes, block, concrete, and stucco.

I understand the general definition, but my question is more when does 'large' become 'aviary when referring to an indoor set up....I also agree if it's a permanent set up outside it's an aviary. And I agree if it's large enough to have a walk in door that it's an aviary, but what about larger cages that don't have a walk in door?

Say for example.....if a set up is 4 feet long and 4 feet high and 2 feet wide, but doesn't have a walk in door, is that a flight? or an aviary?

What if it's 6 feet long, 6 feet high and 4 feet wide, but still doesn't have a walk in door?

What if it's just double high compared to the size of a standard flight cage (30x18x36) or double long (60x18x18)?

Like I say, it is a matter of pespective. I am not sure that there is anything written in stone that causes the seperation. I would consider anything that I can not myself walk into to be a flight. My formula is if I can walk into it then it's an aviary...if I have to sprought wings to fly in then it's a flight You can have a small flight cage or a really spacious flight.
Of course many will consider it an aviary, as the definition of an aviary is "A large enclosure for holding birds in confinement".

There are many large cages for sale referred to by the manufacturers as flight cages. This signifies that the bird could acheive flight in them but at the same time gives the picture of something small enough to keep in the house. Most of these are not made of materials that would hold up to the weather elements nor vermin so must be kept indoors.

Sorry. I wasn't trying to be a smart astronaut by posting the definition. I just thought it was said pretty well as far as nearly being interchangeable. I end up saying aviary a lot of times because it sounds prettier and others know what I mean outside the forum.

Aviaries can have different meanings.
A free flying "cage" you can walk into and stand up in both indoor or out.
A large "cage" that resembles a natural environment that has lots of room to fly.
A cage is a cage whether it's a breeder cage or flight cage or aviary.

opinions are subjective, and this is mine. which isn't definitive by any means.
a cage would be small.. like 2ft x 2 ft
a flight cage would be much larger, like 4ftx6ft.
and aviaries much much bigger. i would like to think that if you can stand and walk inside your cage then it would be a "flight"

but thats just my opinion.

Here on this site, in the Finch Information Center is a page with pictures of flights, flight cages and Aviaries..... Bill told me about this page
http://www.finchinfo.com/housing/build_your_own.php