Escape from the Cage

[CrazyforCockatiels]

I returned home today after an inordinately (and uncommonly) long day. My son and I were gone from 730 a.m. until after 4. The fids were in Roosevelt's flight cage together and I left a classical music station on for them.

Well, when my son and I entered the house, we heard the birds greet us as they always do when we return home. We went up the stairs and into the kitchen and there is Roosevelt sitting on a chair by the breakfast table and Percy on the floor waddling around.

I was flabbergated to see that the small door on the bigger door on the flight cage was ajar. When I left, I made certain (as I always do) that the doors are securely pulled to. I don't understand how they could've opened the door. A larger parrot, I can imagine, would be able to do so but Percy and Roosevelt?

I guess we'll have to get a lock of sorts...?
Has anyone ever heard of cockatiels opening cage doors?

[jriley]

That really is bizarre! I haven't ever heard of cockatiels doing that and had never thought them to be particularly mechanically inclined. Our tiels can't even manage to hold a nutriberry up to eat. Does the door have a latch? Or is it the kind that just sort of slides up? I have seen conures that learn how to push those up.

I had a similar oops moment the other day. I had our Quaker's cage open while we were in the living room watching a movie, and nobody remembered to put her up when we went to bed. I came out the next morning and there she was on top of her cage! I think my heart stopped a moment because she was out all night with the three cats roaming around and the two dogs sleeping on the couch right next to her cage. Somebody up there was definitely watching out for her that night.

Julie Riley

[tielmama]

Just see if it happens again. You really may not have secured it like you thought. I used to find mine open all the time. It was me, and not them.

[catschair]

I've only had the tiels' cages open a couple of times (once each set) --carefully bolted them up for a week or two, then quit and they never re-opened. I'm pretty sure they could open the sliding doors if they wanted, just are not amused.

Magellan, on the other hand, is a little escape artist, and EVERYTHING had better be locked (and not with something she can chew through).

[Conure & Macaw Mom]

I've never heard of teils doing it. My Macaws can. I have to keep chains with locks on Nalah's cage door, food doors, anything that opens. Even with the chains & locks, she still figured it out. I had to rap the chain around each door a couple times. She hasn't figured it out yet. Its a pain when its time to change the water but its better then coming home from work, opening the door & Nalah runs to you before you can get all the way in. Crystal

[Tiki]

I never heard of Tiels doing it but anything is possible. Maybe get one of those dog-leash type clips to further secure the cage? They would never get that open!

[CrazyforCockatiels]

Julie, I have a feeling it was Percy as she can and will hold food in one foot and when I went to the cage door last night after putting them back in, she came to it and just looked kind of suspicious to me! The big door is the one that has that bar that slides up but the little door, which was open, has a clicking contraption that I suppose they could've manipulated given the time they had alone.

My heart would've stopped, too, with the cats (especially) and dogs. Also, I've read about people inadvertently stepping on their birds. What heartbreak!

Tielmama~ I put them in Percy's cage before leaving today just for piece of mind. I will run the flight cage experiment when I am hope but out of their general vicinity! Maybe the door came loose but I never use it. I do check it from time to time to make sure it's secure but the bigger door is a lot easier through which to access the fids.

Catschair~Well, I guess it's possible mine did it then. I'll let you all know if it happens again!

Conure & Macaw Mom~ Your Nalah sounds very bright!

Tiki~ Good idea. We'll do something before leaving them alone in the flight cage again!

[tielmama]

C for C, Percy looking suspicious. that is so cute! You are too, for saying that. You're probably right. She probably is the escape artist. Crystal, The picture in my head of Nalah meeting you at the door is priceless!
She must be a character!

[Sashagirl]

I haven't had a problem with cockatiels but when I had lovebirds I had a problem.I use to just buy those clips that you put on the cages like small dog clips.

[CrazyforCockatiels]

Tielmama and Marcia D~ Thank you for your comments! I will have to try clips if the two of them escape again.