Do you think its cruel to keep caged birds?

Yes, and fish , and other animals..

If it's a friendship, they would not have to be forced to stay.

I guess the logic is that they are like your children, you boss them around because they are intellectually inferior? Can't decide what's best for themselves on their own including their safety.

But then again you gotta ask yourself if safety is more important than freedom and reaching their full potential.

I believe birds are not supposed be kept in cages.

Too noisy for me..