So I had mentioned a warning on another thread about a certain type of latch that is quite popular on cages. Here is a picture of the latch:

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Now this latch, when it is in the up position:

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Leaves enough room for a leg or foot to get caught between the top part of the latch and the cage itself. I put a popsicle stick in there to show you where I mean:

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I've heard of a few birds that have gotten their leg or foot stuck in that area and if it wasn't for the owners being right there, something bad really could of happened. As it was, one bird had to make a trip to the vet to get treated for a pretty bad leg injury.

Now, I'm not saying this latch isn't safe, because it is You just have to make sure to always put it in the down position:

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And then there is no worries about any curious/active birdie getting their body parts stuck where they shouldn't be.

So anyways, just a word of caution

Well... you caught me! That is the lock on Cricket's cage and I did have it in the 'up' location. I went right over and switched it to the 'closed' location.

Thank you SO much for posting. I would have never caught that!

Even tho I dont have this kind of cage wow thank you for posting this b/c I never know I could come across or be given a cage like this just say. I cant imagine what would happen to a foot being stuck in a lock put wrong to a birds foot...I shudder to think!

Thanks!!!

Thanks Carrie for the warning...and sounds like you just helped one little tweetie maybe from being hurt....



I don't have that latch thank goodness, but thanks....This is a good word of warning or caution...whatever you wanna call it...Just be careful bird owners....

Thanks Carrie...never thought about it, I was thinking of the Play top feature on that cage...but your absolutely correct, it could happen!

I have that lock too. Never forgettoo close it though uunless when hes out and hmm he does seem to go all over his cage when hes out so thanks for the tip.

Have that latch on 2 cages and until you mentioned it the other day I never thought about it..but boy I do now and make sure it stays down..Many thanks..

Thanks for the warning!
I haven't had any experience with that style, but it's a good idea to check the safety of any latch.
Isabella's cage has a 'parrot proof' latch... you have to 'shift' from the locked to unlocked position. The problem I've found with this one is it's spring-loaded... and curious birds can trigger it once they're outside the cage. We found it's safer to return it to the 'locked' position while she's out.

That is the style latch that is on all 4 of my big cages.. Never thought about it before so this is a good post for those of you that allow your birds to play on their cage. Mine are not allowed to. I always remove them to their play area where they are always supervised and played with individually.

5 cages. 5 latches just like that....and I don't have a care in the world.

Our fids are either locked up tight inside thier cages, or out on their play trees. They never get to wander on their cages.

I must say though that those latches, to me at least, seem pretty easy for a bird to figure out. I know Buddy figured his out. Once that happened we put carabiners on all the latches to prevent accidents.

Thank you so much Carrie~Anne~!

Thanks VERY much for the warning!

This is the lock on my cage. I read this a while ago, before I was a member, and have been putting it in the 'down' position everytime I open it now, so that there'll be less chance of me forgetting when I get my fid in a few months.

Ditto what everyone else said. Skyler's cage has the exact, same latch you mentioned. I never once thought about it.

Cagney's cage is a little bit different, but only that the latch is on the door instead of the cage itself. After looking at your pics, I see that the latch on Cagney's cage poses the same threat.

I guess the rule of thumb is to keep any sort of similar latch in the down position.

Thank you SO MUCH for the warning. It never once crossed my mind.