(Also parrot's perch) a horizontal bar used as an instrument of torture, the victim being suspended upside down with his or her legs bent over the bar.
Origin
Late 19th century.
Definition of parrot-perch in US English:
parrot-perch
noun
(Also parrot's perch) a horizontal bar used as an instrument of torture, the victim being suspended upside down with his or her legs bent over the bar.