The recommended colours are black outside, including the wire
fronts, with white interior.
Food and water vessels should be inside the cage.
In general small softbills are shown in decorated cages, with the
design to represent the birds natural environment & also to
hopefully show the bird(s) at their best. Small softbills can also
be shown in pairs if compatible.
Do not be put off by the prospect of an empty cage & how to set
it out, it can be as simple or complex as you feel suitable &
never forget that it is actually the bird that the judge is looking
at, the cage just helps it look at its best!
Large softbills are generally shown in cages with just a suitable
floor covering, that can be dried leaves, stone chips, bark or even
blotting paper. The only exception seems to be thrushes, as these
are not so destructive these can be in decorated cages - but it is
up to the individuals choice!
The guidelines state:
Softbill show cages should be as large as practicable. The
following sizes are suggested:
Size 5
For small softbills up to the size of a waxwing
Length 18 inches, height 15 inches, width 12 inches
However the sizes are not strict, as long as the overall sizes are
suitable for the bird and no smaller than stated above, the general
shapes of cages do & can vary. Some birds such as
Redstarts are even shown in quite tall cages to very good
effect.
The common cages are usually the 24" long, 12" deep & 15-16"
tall, and these can then be used by changing the interior, for
quite a variety.
These can either come with a "desk" type front, which allows in
more light OR they can be box cages - with just a vertical
front!
The access doors should always be on the RH side of the
cage looking from the front this is one stipulation that needs to
be adhered to.
As can be seen below - all shapes & sizes are used!
Here are some
partly completed cages demonstrating how a bird will show itself
with the correct staging:
