Houdini strikes again

[Liz]

Not content with simply unlocking the doors to her cage, Laka (2 yr old B&G) has now started working on a new escape route. She's discovered that the grill at the bottom slides out. It does that for cleaning purposes. Once removed, the only think keeping her in the cage is the seed pan below the grate - and that slides out, too. :emot-danc

She hasn't actually gotten out - but I keep finding the grate scooted out 2-3 inches every day. It's only a matter of time before she's able to slide it well out of her way. Then we'll see how long it takes her to figure out that the seed pan will slide as well.:scratchch

Honestly... I'm surprised she can do it. The grate is quite heavy - and I would have thought it was too heavy for her to move.

[all4stvoyager]

Ha! I have learned recently that macaws are brilliant escape artists! Smart birds! :)

[Rachel]

Haha, my goffin's cockatoo is a great escape artist as well. (just ask Shirley!)

He finally learned how to unlock and open his cage door...I feel like such a mean mom because I padlock him in now!

[Nolan's Mom]

I know someone who has to padlock their M2s cage shut because she is so good at opening latches too! Have you seen those grates that have a little metal arm that slides over the end Liz? It prevents the grate from sliding out unless it is lifted. Maybe you could fashion something like that for Laka's grate? I can take a picture of the one on Nolan's downstairs cage if you can't visualize it :)

[CocosMomma]

Well, she has all day to work on that project! A determined gal!:funny:
She's probably been watching you and thinking 'anything you can do, I can do better!' :rofl: We will need a video of her working her way out!:agree:

[Liz]

...We will need a video of her working her way out!...

I'd love to oblige ya, but she never does this stuff when I'm in the room.

In further news.... I just pushed the grate back in on George's cage (he's an RS ekkie, same cage style as hers). Laka's been out and was climbing on his cage - she may have done this while I was in the other room. I REALLY doubt that George could do it on his own.

I already have a stainless steel padlock on one of her food doors - the one that locks on the right side. She figured that one out and started letting herself out on a pretty regular basis. The other 2 food access doors lock on the left. She got one open once (a couple of weeks ago), but that was a first. I suppose I'll eventually have to have every access padlocked.

But for the grate, I have another solution: redgum logs. She loves the chew them into toothpicks and they can be quite heavy. That'll put the kabosh on this grate scooting.

[Nolan's Mom]

Good for you AND her beak :D

[SadennaAndFlock]

you know now that I think of it...I am having to push our military macaws great back about every other day..we had to use clips on her food dish doors as she figured out how to open then and push out the crocks we had to replace as they broke once they hit the floor..

[Liz]

...she figured out how to open then and push out the crocks...

Oh.... whoa! That must've been quite a mess! Our Laka likes to up-end her food dishes, too, but they are plastic.

[all4stvoyager]

Yeah...at the Sanct, we have a hyacinth macaw that likes to tip his food and water dishes on you when you are putting fresh ones in his cage...grrrr. He is more interested in that than actually getting the food! And he is not distractable!!! He's too smart...darn birdie :) I'm impressed though :)

[SadennaAndFlock]

oh yeah gypsy tries to pick up the crocks and tip them over...but the way her food dish area is designed she can't but that does not stop her from trying...Macaws are so much fun lol.

[all4stvoyager]

So...are Macaws known for being expert escape artists? When I walked into the Sanctuary Sat morning, Amigo (previous houdini number 2) was on top of princess's cage. He doesn't step up...ever...so since I am new...I am CERTAINLY not going to try to convince him that stepping up might be a good idea. The other volunteer was only a few minutes behind me...when she walked in Amigo went right back into his cage. During that escapade, he had broken Princess' food door lock...one of those c clamp ones that climbers use...

After we had gotten him back in his cage and "secured," we went about our duties. Then lunch time arrived. When we got back from lunch, BOTH Amigo and Princess were on top of a sun conure's cage...He broke them both out! Argh! Smart bird!!! Now all the clasps are broken...not sure what they are doing now since I haven't been there since Sat...but man, alive...those buggers are smart! He also unlatches those dog leash clasps...

[Liz]

Lol

[SadennaAndFlock]

Most of the repeat offenders at escaping I have been around seem to be Macaws and Cockatoos...some even figure out how to get clips off as well and it can be alot of trying out different things to find out what will keep them in the cage, when they need to be in there..determined

[Liz]

It's the price we pay for having smart animal companions.

[Nolan's Mom]

Liz, I was looking at your birds website again and I just had to tell you that I LOVE it again :D I had never looked at the wild neighbor's page and I was just in awe! What an awesome thing to have all those birds right outside your backdoor!!!! I love the magpies, they are just so awesome!

[Nolan's Mom]

Somehow, I posted that twice.....who knows what I was doing!