Daughter's scrubbed wild bird's cage? (4)

I believe the answer is:

ribs

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'cage?' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

I can't explain the remainder of the clue.

(Other definitions for ribs that I've seen before include "cage" , "Arched bones in the upper body" , "Is making fun of" , "Arched bones extending from the spine" , "Spurs?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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