Why Your Parrot Needs Baths
Birds bathe for a variety of reasons that support their health, well-being and ability to thrive. Bathing is a vital part of a bird's daily routine, ensuring their feathers are in optimal condition for insulation, waterproofing, and flight, while also maintaining healthy skin and helping them regulate their body temperature.
Why is bathing your parrot important?
In general, bathing is crucial for birds! It keeps their feathers free of dirt, skin hydrated and preserves their wonderful, natural luster. When birds bathe, they wash away dust, dirt, and any pesky parasites from their plumage. Bathing keeps birds healthy, allows them to preen their feathers properly and aids in regulating body temperature. In the wild, a bird may bathe during a rain shower or in a puddle, lake, or stream.
Especially in Singapore’s hot and humid climate, bathing your birds is key. June is one of the hottest months of the year, the heat and humidity can really be annoying to deal with. While birds are better adapted to warmer climates, that doesn’t mean that our Singapore weather won’t get their feathers ruffled. Hence, this is the perfect time to write an article about bathing your birds!
How often should I bathe my parrot?
Most parrots should get the chance to bathe one or two times a week. However, some parrots might really love bathing and want to do it more often, even every day. It really depends on the individual bird and what they prefer. While regular bathing is great for them, do make sure not to over-bathe your birds as it could lead to dry skin.
You might notice that your bird has a preference about the time of day it likes to bathe. Try to offer a bath to your bird at the time of day it chooses to bathe. My galahs Sakura and Raphael prefer to bathe in the morning, allowing them the entire day to dry off their feathers and preen to their heart's content. Most importantly, PLEASE DO NOT BATHE YOUR PARROTS WHEN IT’S RAINING OR WHEN THE WEATHER IS CHILLY! Doing so may cause your parrots to catch a cold, so please monitor the weather as well.
How should I bathe my bird?
When bathing your bird, use slightly warm to cool water; most birds actually prefer cooler temperatures. Make sure to thoroughly wet your bird, especially if you have a cockatiel, African Grey, or cockatoo. These birds produce a lot of feather dust, and if it's not washed off, it can cake onto their feathers as they dry.
During and after the bath, ensure there are no drafts and the room isn't cold. It's best to bathe your bird during the day when temperatures are warmer. You can also help your bird dry by gently wrapping them in a towel and stroking their body in the direction their feathers lay. After Sakura and Raphael finish their bath, I usually grab their favorite pink Chiikawa towel to gently wipe them down and remove any extra water.
Never use commercial bathing solutions, shampoos, or any products containing chemicals or soaps on your bird. When birds preen their feathers, they inevitably ingest whatever is on them. Many ingredients that might be safe topically are not if they are ingested. You should only use plain water to bathe your bird. If you need to remove something from your bird's feathers, always consult your veterinarian for guidance.
Just like people, birds have their own unique preferences, and that includes how they like to bathe! Some birds might love splashing around in a bowl of water, while others prefer joining you in the shower. You might even find your bird enjoys being gently misted with a spritzer. Some birds might prefer short, frequent baths, while others might enjoy longer, more thorough soakings. The key is to experiment with different methods to figure out what your bird likes best.
Ways to bathe your bird
a) Using a bowl/dish
Offering a shallow bowl of slightly warm to cool water at the bottom of the cage is a simple way for your bird to bathe. Your bird can perch on the rim and dip in, or step right into the bowl to splash around and get completely wet. This method lets your bird bathe whenever they want and for as long as they choose.
This approach works especially well for breeding birds and smaller birds like canaries and finches, who often stay in their cages. But even larger birds enjoy a good bowl bath! Just ensure the water isn't too cold and there are no drafts. It's best to remove the bowl at night when it's cooler and dark.
You'll likely need to change the cage bedding after a bowl bath. Wet bedding can become a breeding ground for bacteria, fungus, and mold. Birds often splash water out of the bowl, and some even enjoy tipping it over. Using a heavy bowl can help prevent spills, but if you have a truly mischievous bird (like Sakura), they'll probably find a way to tip it regardless! Nevertheless, be around to supervise your birds during their bath times.
If you have a sassy birb…
Your parrot might even take a fancy to bathing in a dainty tea cup, who knows! 😂
b) Using a spray bottle
If your bird enjoys it, a spray bottle can be a great way to give them a bath. You can easily find spray bottles at garden stores, hardware shops, Daiso or even supermarkets. Just fill it with slightly warm to cool water and adjust the nozzle to a fine mist or spray setting.
You can spray your bird on a play perch, in a safe area like the bathroom or kitchen or even directly in their cage. Just remember that the surrounding area and floor will get wet and will need to be cleaned up afterward. Play perches often have easy-to-clean bottoms. If you're spraying inside the cage, remove your bird’s toys first. After you’re done misting, wipe down the cage and change the bedding/potty liners to avoid the growth of bacteria, fungus, and mold. Personally, I prefer to do spray baths in the bathroom with my birds.
It's easy to tell if your bird is enjoying a spray bath! They'll often shift from foot to foot, spread their wings so the water reaches their under feathers, and turn around on their perch to get other parts of their body wet. Some birds will even chirp and trill, showing you how happy they are.
If your bird is new to spray baths or seems a little scared, talk or sing to them as you give them a light spray or two. Be sure to praise them afterward. It might take some time, but most birds will get used to it. However, if your bird doesn't like being sprayed, don't force them.
c) In the shower
Image: Bird Tricks
Some larger birds absolutely adore showers and see them as a special treat!. If you're showering your bird, opt for a shower perch and always use warm to cool water and keep the spray on a finer, more gentle setting. However, do your best to avoid spraying water directly into your parrot’s eyes or nostrils.
If your bird is new to showering, it's best to introduce them slowly. Remember to let your bird get used to the shower perch beforehand. Place them on the perch without running the water until they seem comfortable. As they get more accustomed, sprinkle some water on them. Monitor your bird’s reactions to get a better idea on how to further proceed. If your parrot appears frightened, immediately stop, console your parrot and try again next time. Patience is key for your bird to develop a positive relationship with bathing.
Shower perches can be attached to the walls of your tub or shower, letting your bird perch comfortably. This gives them the freedom to move in and out of the water and position themselves just how they like. I personally use an extension pole I got from Daiso for my galahs to perch on.
Most birds will naturally spread their wings to let the water reach both the top and underside of their wing feathers, as well as the body feathers underneath. This helps wash away feather dust and debris while also moisturizing their skin. They'll turn around, bathing their back, head, tail, and chest, staying in each position until they're satisfied. These actions are often accompanied by happy chirps and sounds of pleasure.
Showering a bird usually only takes a few minutes. However, you might have a bird that absolutely loves it! Watching your bird play, strike various poses, sing and purr is such a joy, making bath time a great bonding session as well!
Drying after a bath
Bathing in the morning is often ideal as it gives your bird plenty of time to dry. A sunny, warm room that's free of drafts offers a comfortable space for them to dry off and preen without getting a chill. Some birds don't mind being dried with a gentle, warm hair dryer, but you need to be extremely careful not to overheat them. If your bird is frightened by the dryer, never force them to be dried this way.
If you live in Singapore or any tropical climate, your birds will be dry and fluffy in no time. However, if your bird does need help drying off, I would recommend using a soft towel to gently dab their feathers to remove any excess water.
In conclusion,
Since pet parrots don't have the natural environment that keeps wild birds clean, it's up to us, their owners, to step in and ensure good hygiene. Proper parrot hygiene starts when your bird is young. With a bit of patience and preparation, you can make your baby bird's first bath or shower a positive and fun experience. Remember, how a baby parrot is initially introduced to water can shape their opinion of baths and showers for their entire life.
Singing to your bird is a great way to show them that showers are enjoyable, not something to fear. We always aim to make shower time fun and ensure our birds feel safe and secure. No matter which method you choose, remember that your bird needs to bathe frequently. It can also be a pleasant and enjoyable experience that you and your beloved birbs can share!
