Macaw-proof cage with metal tray

A macaw going through a plastic tray is completely predictable — those beaks generate serious force, and most cage manufacturers cut costs exactly where it hurts. Before I point you to something better, cage size is the single most important factor overall: most commercially sold cages are too small for a bird to extend its wings fully, which is a genuine welfare issue. Bar spacing matters too — too wide and a bird can get its head stuck. So: which macaw species do you have — Blue and Gold, Green Wing, Scarlet? Is this a single bird, and roughly how much floor space do you have available for the new cage?

Good — 90x90cm floor footprint is workable for a Blue and Gold. For her size you want minimum 90cm wide, 60cm deep, and ideally 150cm or more in height so she can climb properly. The non-negotiable for you given what happened before is a solid stainless steel or powder-coated metal sliding tray — no plastic components anywhere near that beak. What did the previous cage look like? Was it a standing parrot cage, and do you have a rough budget in mind?

Sensible approach — a decent macaw cage is a one-time purchase if you get it right. My recommendation is the Liberta Explorer Large Parrot Cage. It's one of the few cages at a realistic price point that comes with a proper metal pull-out tray rather than plastic, the bar spacing is 2.5cm which is correct for a Blue and Gold, and the overall dimensions — around 91cm wide by 61cm deep by 158cm tall — suit your bird and your corner space well. The powder-coat finish is robust, there are multiple access doors, and the stand is included. It's available on Amazon UK and typically runs £250–£320 depending on timing. It won't be chewed through.

Yes — the Liberta Explorer tray slides on a full-width runner, so it pulls out cleanly without having to manoeuvre around the cage frame. One practical tip: line it with unbleached paper rather than the cage liners sold in pet shops — it's cheaper, safer, and means you can see droppings clearly which is actually useful for monitoring her health. The tray depth also means less scatter onto the floor than shallower designs. You'll find daily cleaning takes about two minutes once you're in the habit.

Good luck with it — she should have a cage that actually lasts this time. If you find the included perches are too thin for her feet (Blue and Golds do better on 4–5cm diameter perches), swapping them out for natural wood perches like manzanita or java wood is worth doing early. It makes a real difference to foot health over the long term.