Quick Answer:The Parrot in Cage Model is a thaumatrope: a 100mm disc with a parrot on one side and a cage on the other which, spun quickly on its threads, makes the parrot appear to sit inside the cage through persistence of vision.
Last updated: 18 October 2026
Key Features
Double-sided disc with high-contrast parrot and cage pictures.
Spun by a manual spin-thread or a crank.
Durable polymer or seasoned wood construction.
Demonstrates persistence of vision.
Technical Specifications
Specification
Value
Disc
Double-sided, parrot and cage graphics
Disc diameter
100mm
Material
Durable polymer or seasoned wood
Spinning
Manual spin-thread or crank
How It Is Used
Twisting the threads and pulling them taut sets the disc spinning fast. The eye holds each picture for a fraction of a second, so the two images merge and the parrot seems to be in the cage. The same effect explains why a film made of still frames appears to move.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the parrot appear inside the cage in the Parrot in Cage Model?
Because of persistence of vision. When the disc spins quickly, the eye retains each image for a fraction of a second, so the parrot on one side and the cage on the other are seen together.
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