Obsessed with the cage door

DRB

Well-known member
Jan 23, 2016
1,024
75
Ohio
Parrots
Perjo - Female CAG hatch Nov 2015
When I leave the cage open she perches on the cage door way up high or a perch on the outside a tad lower. I noticed that Perjo has to fidget with the door and get it opened to just the right spot. She'll grab onto the cage above the door with both feet or one and then reach her beak out to pull the cage door closer. She then gets on the cage door and uses her beak against the cage to push the door to where she wants it. She'll spend 3 minutes getting it perfect sometimes.

Anyone else's fid need a memory function for the cage door?

It cracks me up every time.
 

Lacewing

New member
Feb 16, 2017
174
1
USA
Parrots
Murphy Jr. English Budgie
There are toys made for smart parrots that are puzzles and look like a lock mechanism. Perhaps your bird needs challenges beyond what you currently have.
 

Alex_Kiki

New member
Nov 27, 2016
39
1
The Netherlands
Parrots
Kiki, a sulphur crested cockatoo (eleonora).
Kiki was born in January 1995 and She's with us Since she was 4 months old.
Kiki's favourite place is the cage door. She can go where she wants, but within a few minutes she'll go back to her favourite spot.

 
OP
DRB

DRB

Well-known member
Jan 23, 2016
1,024
75
Ohio
Parrots
Perjo - Female CAG hatch Nov 2015
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #4
I've got some toys that challenge her, I just think she is that particular about the door. She was in a phase in which she would close it and slide the swing tab safety latch to secure it shut when she was out of the cage.

I get a little worried sometimes b/c she plays atop the door so much and fidgets with it that I'm afraid she'll slam it on her own neck.
 

Scott

Supporting Member
Aug 21, 2010
32,673
9,789
San Diego, California USA, Earth, Milky Way Galaxy
Parrots
Goffins: Gabby, Abby, Squeaky, Peanut, Popcorn / Citron: Alice / Eclectus: Angel /Timneh Grey: ET / Blue Fronted Amazon: Gonzo /

RIP Gandalf and Big Bird, you are missed.
I can't relate similar experiences with cage doors, but there is no doubt parrots are prone to obsessive behaviors just like their parronts!

One of my Goffins loves to open the side doors that have water dishes. It is a difficult lock that is round and has one notch to secure, but he manages. Others like to carefully place wooden shards from toys between cage bars. Some prefer specific colors of pellets, even though they seem to smell and taste (!) identical.
 
OP
DRB

DRB

Well-known member
Jan 23, 2016
1,024
75
Ohio
Parrots
Perjo - Female CAG hatch Nov 2015
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #6
Perjo plays with the main lock when she's out on theatside of the door but she doesn't seem too interested in trying to escape though. From my limited reading in here CAGS don't seem to be consistent escape artists.
 

Alex_Kiki

New member
Nov 27, 2016
39
1
The Netherlands
Parrots
Kiki, a sulphur crested cockatoo (eleonora).
Kiki was born in January 1995 and She's with us Since she was 4 months old.
Kiki will open the door by climbing on the outside and flap her wings.

She does the same when it's open and she's on the inside. She knows exactly how to get our attention this way as we all look worried at her then. But she's careful enough to not let it close too violently. :31:
 

SailBoat

Supporting Member
Jul 10, 2015
17,646
10,008
Western, Michigan
Parrots
DYH Amazon
If your Parrot is commonly perching on the door or any of the other square surfaces on the cage structure, ensure that you pay close attention to the pads on their claws (feet). This type of perching can result in the same pad failures as is seen on undersized perches, especially dowels. The only difference is the location of the pad failures.

This problem can become serious quickly 'IF' they perch on the square bar or undersized perches as their primary perch. If you are providing a larger than standard perch, natural branch style for your specific species as a night perch and other alternative perches are available in front of their food and water bowls that should off-set any problem with the square bars and/or undersized perches.

For additional information and how a proper sized perch will provide equal pad pressure (photo) see the Segment in the I Love Amazons - ... Thread, found in the Amazon Forum - "Getting to the Foot of the Problem."
 
OP
DRB

DRB

Well-known member
Jan 23, 2016
1,024
75
Ohio
Parrots
Perjo - Female CAG hatch Nov 2015
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #9
Due to advice on this forum I have all sorts of different sized perches for her all over the place. Some rope, some flat and smooth, a dowel, and some hard abrasive types. I think she gets a good mix of textures and sizes to help prevent problems with her pads and comfort.
 

Most Reactions

Latest posts

Top