Last Updated on March 31, 2020 by Mitch Rezman

Aglae Wrote:  Does the wire platform on the bottom of the bird cage hurt my bird? It seems uncomfortable to me.

Should I throw it out?

Maybe you can explain why all the cages have them.

Thank you,

Hi Aglae, 

Unless in flight, birds are their feet 24/7.

Actually the bird cage grate is the best surface for a parrot’s foot.

Waterbirds like seagulls have a web or flat feet which is why you’ll see seagulls on the top of street lamps, not on phone wires.

Birds like parrots or say pigeons need to wrap their feet “around” branches perches or cage grates (or phone lines) so as to get a better grip.

Birds have very few nerves in their feet enabling them to stand on them except when they are in flight.

A tendon on the side of a bird’s leg locks a bird’s foot around a perch enabling them to sleep standing up. Because of the lack of nerves in their feet, they feel no pain.

The grate in a birdcage lets the refuse a bird leaves, fall through to the bottom where a tray can be removed for easy cleaning.

How Hagen grooming perches also help prevent arthritis in your bird’s feet – video

Grooming perches should be slightly oversized in diameter to the bird’s nails are always in contact with the abrasive surface.