68A-6.01215. Standard Caging Requirements for Birds

Perching birds shall be provided with a perch of a diameter sufficient to prevent the meeting of the bird's claws, and of sufficient height to prevent floor contact. Perches and perching areas shall be sufficient to accommodate all birds in the enclosure simultaneously. Perches shall be constructed in a manner and of materials that provide for effective cleaning or replacement to insure the health of the birds. Enclosures shall be provided with shelter(s).

(1) Psittacine and small Passerines:

(a) Large (e.g., large cockatoos, large macaws, including Palm cockatoos, green-winged and similar sized birds).

For one or two birds, a cage providing space sufficient to permit perching without the tail feathers touching the floor and provide for head clearance with normal posturing, with a minimum cage dimension to allow full extension of both wings. These measurements shall be based on the largest bird in the enclosure. For each additional bird, increase perimeter by 25 percent.

(b) Medium (e.g., medium-sized parrots, lories and large conures including Amazons, Patagonian and similar sized birds).

For one or two birds, a cage 18 inches by 18 inches, 2 feet high. For each additional bird, increase perimeter by 25 percent.

(c) Small (e.g., parrots, cockatiels, lories and parakeets).

For up to four birds, a cage 1 foot by 2 feet, 10 inches high. For each additional bird, increase perimeter by 25 percent.

(d) Very-small (e.g., canaries, finches, and similar-sized birds (except hummingbirds)).

For up to 2 birds, a cage 8 inches by 8 inches, 8 inches high. For each additional bird, increase perimeter by 25 percent.

(e) Hummingbirds and sunbirds.

For up to 5 birds, a cage 4 feet by 2 feet by 2 feet. For each additional bird, increase original floor area by 10 percent.

(f) Small and medium passerine birds (e.g., jays, doves, pigeons, starlings and other similar-sized birds).

For up to two birds, a cage 3 feet by 2 feet, 3 feet high. For each additional bird, increase perimeter by 25 percent.

(g) Large passerine (e.g., ravens, crows, magpies, small hornbills and similar-sized birds).

For up to two birds, a cage 4 feet by 4 feet, 6 feet high. For each additional bird increase original floor area by 25 percent.

(h) Ground hornbills, Indian great hornbills, crowned pigeons and similar sized birds.

1. For up to three birds, a cage having 144 square feet of floor area, 6 feet high, with a perch elevated 4 feet above the floor.

2. For each additional bird, increase cage original floor area by 25 percent.

(2) Waterfowl.

(a) Small to Medium (e.g., green-winged teal, mallard and similar sizes ducks, geese).

1. For up to four birds, a cage with 75 square feet of land area and 7.5 square feet of water area.

2. For each additional adult bird, increase enclosure and pool size by 25 percent.

(b) Large (e.g., geese, swans, and similar size).

1. For up to four birds, an enclosure with 150 square feet of land and 15 square feet of water area.

2. For each additional adult bird, increase enclosure and pool size by 25 percent.

(3) Eagles, hawks, owls, vultures, toucans and toucanets.

(a) For each bird, an enclosure 2 wingspreads by 3 wingspreads. The roof shall be of sufficient height to permit bird to perch erect on the highest perch.

(b) For each additional bird, increase cage length by 50 percent and width by 25 percent.

(c) Birds of prey used for falconry demonstrations shall be kept as specified in subsection 68A-9.005(6), F.A.C.

(4) Large ground-dwelling (e.g., Congo peafowl, Javan peafowl, curassows, wild turkeys, brush turkeys (moundbuilders), large grouse, capricali, and sage hen) (exhibit only).

(a) For up to five birds, a cage having 144 square feet of floor, 6 feet high, with the perch elevated 4 feet above the floor.

(b) For each additional bird, increase original floor area by 10 percent.

(5) Lesser game birds (e.g., pheasants, wild guinea fowl, tragopans, snowcocks, partridge, grouse, chachalacas, guans) (exhibit only).

(a) For up to five birds, a cage having 100 square feet of floor, 6 feet high, with the perch elevated 30 inches.

(b) For each additional bird, increase original floor area 10 percent.

(6) Quail (e.g., bob-white quail, scaled quail, button quail, and other species) (exhibit only).

(a) For a pair, a cage 2 feet by 2 feet, 1 foot high.

(b) For each additional animal, increase original floor area by 10 percent.

(7) Wading birds (e.g., flamingos, ibises, spoonbills, herons, egrets, cranes, storks and their allies) and certain shore birds (plovers and sandpipers).

(a) For up to five, a cage of 144 square feet, with a wading pool of water covering 14 square feet.

(b) For each additional bird, increase original floor area by 25 percent.

(8) Diving, skimming fish-eaters (e.g., pelicans, cormorants, anhinga, frigate birds, gannets, boobies, albatrosses, sheerwaters, petrels, sheepbills).

(a) For up to two birds, a cage of 144 square feet, one half of which will be a pool of water, 18 inches deep.

(b) For each additional bird, increase original paddock area by 25 percent.

(9) Penguins (e.g., Humboldts, Emperor, King, Jackass, etc.), puffins, murres, auks.

(a) Puffins, murres, auks.

For up to two birds, a cage of 100 square feet, one half of which shall be a pool of water, three feet deep. For each additional animal, increase original floor area and pool size by 25 percent.

(b) Penguins-large (e.g., Emperor, King, and southernmost species).

For up to two birds, a cage of 100 square feet, one half of which shall be a pool of water, three feet deep with flowing water, 55-degree Fahrenheit or less. For each additional animal, increase original floor area and pool size by 25 percent.

(c) Penguins-small (e.g., Humboldts, blackfoot and northernmost species).

For up to two birds, a cage of 80 square feet, one half of which shall be a pool of water, two feet deep. For each additional bird, increase original floor area and pool size by 25 percent.

(10) Ratites (e.g., ostrich, rhea, emu, cassowary).

(a) For one or two birds, a paddock enclosing 500 square feet, four feet high (six feet for ostriches) with an attached shaded, protected area.

(b) For each additional bird, increase original paddock area by 25 percent.

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 9-30-19.