Avian Home

Welcome to the Avian Home Project, exploring avian habitat design and the profound impact that a well-designed bird cage can have on the health, happiness, and overall well-being of our avian companions. The Avian Home Project is focused on understanding the nuanced needs of bird owners and parrots alike. I aim to contribute to the development of bird cage designs that considers both the parrot and their human.

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Meet the Parrot Family

This project focuses on pet parrots. There are almost 400 species of parrots. The pet industry has led to more birds being available than there are good homes. A lot of parrots are bought on impulse, especially the larger ones that need more care and can be more challenging than first-time bird owners expect. When the cute babies start growing up, owners who aren’t fully informed or supported might find they’ve taken on more than they can handle. This lack of understanding is also seen in the design of many bird cages, which often don’t meet the real needs of both the birds and their owners.

The Parrot Species

Artist: Renee LeCompte

Twilight & BUB

Why People Love Parrots

Social Creatures

Parrots are known for being social animals who want love, attention, and connection. They form flock-mate connections with their humans and consider themselves part of the family.

Love of Learning

Parrots are among the worlds most intelligent animals. They are not only smart enough to solve puzzles but have been proven to understand language and abstract concepts.

Emotional Connection

Parrots can understand 'state of mind' or emotions and connect with their owners in meaningful ways. They are empathetic support animals that provide structure and friendship.

Common Parrots & Traits

Flock

Low
Maintenance

High
Maintenance

Lone

Pet Birds Living in U.S. homes.

The American Veterinary Medical Association estimates that there are more than 8.3 million pet birds living in U.S. homes.

I charted the most popular birds and organized them based on their preference for the number of birds in a house, as well as the time required for their care

In general, the larger the bird and the longer its lifespan, the more time and attention are required to thrive.

Target Bird

Parrots need an environment that caters to their natural instincts and behaviors; matching their intelligence and desire for learning. Cockatoos in particular are known for being energetic and lively, often exploring their surroundings in sometimes messy ways. Their home needs to be thoroughly interesting and stimulating.

Target User: Cockatoo

Species Traits

Size: Medium - Large

Lifespan: around 70-80 years

Diet: fruits, veggies, & nuts

Socialization

Requires three to five hours of exercise and interaction a day

Bird Cost $$

Around 600$- 2,000$, depending on breed

Identifying the target bird helped me to determine aspects of the cage like size etc.

20 Inch Wingspan

16 Inch Height

It is recommended by vets and experts that bird cages should be a least 2 times the wingspan of your bird. This is a minimum. Ideally your cage should be 3 to 4 times the wingspan of your bird.

Store Audits

I visited stores and took note of their products. Most of the cages had similar features. The most noticeable differences are size and bar quality.

Finding Supplies: Local Stores and Big Retail Chains

Finding quality bird supplies can be a challenge for many bird owners. Local shops that sell high-quality bird products are often hard to come by, leaving owners with limited options. As a result, many end up purchasing from large pet superstores or turning to online shops. Below is a list of some local stores and superstores I visited during my research.

Merchandise in Chain Pet Stores

Cat

32.4%

Fish

9.3%

Small Animal

4.7%

Bird

4.2%

Reptile

4.2%

Dog

45.3%

Comparing the Options

During my store audits, I spoke with employees to get their cage recommendations. I mentioned that I needed a cage for a cockatoo and asked questions like what size of cage would be suitable, which type of substrate to use, and how to clean the cage and how often. The local shops generally provided helpful and accurate information, while the superstores often gave incorrect advice on cage size and the necessary maintenance for a cockatoo.

Cages Suggested by Stores

Cages Suitable for Our Bird

Employees at superstores had little to no knowledge about proper care and cage requirements. many of the cage suggestions were too small for a cockatoo.

Cost of a Suitable Cage

The price range depends on factors like the size, material (such as stainless steel or powder-coated metal), and additional features (like playtops, reinforced bars, or special door locks).For a large parrot like a cockatoo, you should aim for a cage that is at least 40 inches in length and width, with a minimum height of around 50-60 inches. This size ensures the bird has enough space to spread its wings, climb, and play. Also, consider a cage with a bar spacing of 3/4 to 1 inch to prevent injury.

Cage Cost $$

Around 800$- 5,000$,

perches not included

Cleaning Time

Weekly cleaning takes around 2-6 hours

Research & Interviews

Co-creation & Card Sort

Co-creation is an interactive exercise in which participants engage in sorting various cage images. Through this process, participants categorize items and relate concepts to one another, offering insights into how they perceive and prioritize different aspects of cage design.

The card sorting activity serves as a valuable tool for gathering and structuring information, as well as understanding user preferences. By analyzing the patterns that emerge from the sorting process, I can identify common themes and preferences among participants. These insights are instrumental in informing the design process, allowing for the creation of bird cages that resonate with the needs and preferences of their intended users.

Journey Map

A journey map is a reflective exercise where participants document their experiences; capturing what they do, think, and feel along the way. It serves as a tool for understanding and visualizing the various stages of a journey, allowing individual moments to be transformed into sources of inspiration. Through this process, I gain insights into their actions, thoughts, and emotions; ultimately helping to identify opportunities for improvement and innovation.

After examining the research I had the idea of creating a auto/assisted cleaning substrate tray.

Interviews & Online Survey

To gather insights, I conducted interviews with a wide range of bird owners, from beginners to experienced caregivers. This provided a solid understanding of the diverse needs of parrot owners. Realizing that my target bird is a demanding pet, I decided to focus more on interviewing experienced owners to help shape the kind of cage I wanted to create.

In addition to the interviews, I also posted an online survey to collect further input from a broader group of parrot owners. These surveys were shared on popular parrot owner forums and discussion websites. As a result, I was able to gather personal accounts from many elderly individuals and people with disabilities which I would not have been able to reach in person for my interviews.

Target User

This bird owner is well-acquainted with parrots and has established a set routine for their care. They find creative ways to nurture and entertain their companion, often through elaborate cage setups and homemade attachments. These users frequently innovate and create their own solutions to compensate for the shortcomings of basic cage designs.

Target User: Expert

Experienced

Has had pet parrots in the past. They are familiar with the nuanced needs of bird's care.

Looking for an Upgrade

Has a clear idea of what they want in a new cage and its features.

Ready to Invest $$

Willing to spend on a high-quality cage that will last a lifetime for their bird.

Interviews & Problem Points

Interview quote:

“I struggle to clean the big cage a lot of the time, I have a designated day for cleaning - in which I have to rest throughout the process.”

I aimed to make tray cleaning simpler, allowing for more frequent cleaning with less effort.

Additionally, I considered breaking up the cage into smaller, more manageable sections so that individual parts could be easily removed and cleaned.

I noticed that cleaning the cage was the most laborious aspect of bird ownership. Disabled and elderly interviewees struggled the most with this task. Many of them had devised creative workarounds to manage maintenance and deep cleaning.

Cleanable

Thoughts & Ideas

Notes & Issues

Market cages:

Currently, cages are static objects that the owner and parrot must work around, rather than a home that adapts to the needs of its users.

Personalized

All the bird owners I spoke to had unique methods and routines to care for their companions. They all had a slightly different idea of what the best way to care for their pet looks like. The individuality of people makes designing a cage to fit so many diverging needs difficult.

Thoughts & Ideas

Notes & Issues

I wanted to create a cage that had interchangeable playlands that can be placed in the cage.

I also wanted to include customizable door and feeding hatch that can be arranged on any side of the cage.

Engaging

Interviewees most enjoyed spending time with and learning to understand their birds. They were excited to explain to me how they interact and communicate with their bird. Parrots are high maintenance pets that have individual personalities. Playing and training with parrots encourages them, gives them confidence, and further brings out their unique personality.

Thoughts & Ideas

Notes & Issues

I thought about how to create ease of access for activities like feeding, flight training, playing, and other cage interactions.

I want to make an engaging environment that encourages play and exercise even when the owner is not around.

Integrated

Thoughts & Ideas

Notes & Issues

When organizing the furniture in a room the cage must be considered because of its size and the clearance needed around it. The cage design needs has a form that integrates with the layout of the house. This design embodies a thoughtful balance between a functional habitat for the bird and seamlessly combining into the surrounding living space.

If I minimize the visual impact of the cage, it allows the parrot to become the focal point.

I need to recognize the necessities and behaviors of both the parrot and human to create a place for them to co-exist and thrive.

Interview quote:

"Once I moved apartments I couldn't find a place it fit. Its awkward in the living room walkway but it's the best spot I can find."

Concepts & Sketches

Designs liked by interviewees and peers are marked with a yellow circle.

Modular Wall Idea

The cage itself is composed of ten identically sized panels. While most of these panels are plain wire mesh, others have unique function and form. Users have the option to select which walls to purchase and how to arrange them on the cage. These customizable panels allow for unique cage layouts; creating a custom home for our feathered friends.

My initial idea was to use pins at the bottom of each panel to hold them in place. This concept later evolved into a rail system where the panels slide into place.

This system allows for more wall types to be created and added in the future. The avian home becomes an ever-evolving frame designed to meet the needs of parrots and accommodate new ideas of owners.

Puzzle walls can hide treats and encourage foraging and problem solving.

The wood wall works as a shredding toy as well as an interesting environment to investigate.

The fountain wall provides a flowing source of water for bathing or playing.

Broken bars are dangerous for birds. The rust can poison them and if they attempt to escape, they can get caught and harm themselves. When cage bars break, the cage is either replaced or patched. Typically, there is no way to fix a broken bar permanently. Owners often use a washer and a screw to hold the broken area together.

Broken Bars

Thought:

With modular walls, a single broken bar doesn't mean replacing the entire cage but a simple replacement of a single panel.

final designs and tests

Many interviewees wanted the flat-sided cage to avoid getting waste along the sides.

The three final designs were shown to the interviewees, who were asked questions about each design and their thoughts on them. They were also asked to choose which cage topper they would pair with each cage. This secondary interview provided valuable insights. The first dome top was the favorite (left), as was the flat-sided cage (right). Many users liked the look of the curved cages but were concerned about their day-to-day functionality.

The tray is designed to hold a layer of substrate, such as paper, which collects waste and shells that fall from the bird above. I created a prototype of the trash tray and drawer to test if the waste would be completely collected with the given size; additionally assessing the functionality of the tray where the paper substrate is placed.