Parrot feathers benefit from regular bathing in fresh, plain water. It cleanses the feathers of dust and grime and encourages the parrot to preen, zipping the feather barbs together, which is necessary to facilitate flight. But if your bird hates water you may have given up.
There are all kind of reasons a parrot may hate water. The parrot may have been forced to bathe incorrectly, or the breeder or pet store may not have taught the parrot to bathe before it got to you. Sometimes the parrot is just contrary.
Safety First
When trying the following suggestions always keep the parrot’s comfort and safety in mind. Parrots cannot swim and can easily drown, so never have the water more than an inch or so deep, depending on the size of your parrot. Never force your parrot to bathe or to stay in water if it panics or shows fear of the water.
Persistence
Since many parrots are stubborn creatures, you may have to try various approaches to bathing your parrot again and again. It could take months before your parrot decides that it absolutely loves being misted, even though you’ve tried misting dozens of times before.
Methods to Try
Take a container big enough for the parrot to sit in but not too deep, and put about an inch of tepid water in it. Some parrots prefer their bath water to be cold, some other parrots prefer water a bit warmer. Start with tepid and experiment over the course of a few days for the temperature your parrot prefers.
- The Bowl. Set the bowl either in the parrot’s cage or on a table. Let the parrot investigate the bowl, and take a sip or two of water. If interested, the parrot will climb into the bowl and begin splashing around. If hesitant, place the parrot gently into the bowl. You can splash the water around with your hand to catch the parrot’s attention. If the parrot makes a fuss, take it out.
- The Sink. Put your parrot on the counter beside a clean kitchen or bathroom sink. Place a clean wash cloth in the sink to help the parrot keep its footing. Turn the taps to produce a thin trickle of water. Be sure the water isn’t too hot or cold. Chat encouraging to the parrot as you adjust the water. Again, let the parrot watch the water for a few minutes. It might just jump right in! If not, gently place the parrot in the sink and let the water trickle slowly on its back feathers. If your parrot hates this, gently remove the bird.
- The Mister. Fill a clean spray bottle with tepid water. Aiming the bottle over the parrot’s head, squeeze the sprayer and let the water fall down on the parrot, like rain. Many parrots enjoy this, though your hand might get tired before the parrot is really wet.
- Green Leaves. Yes, many parrots, especially cockatiels, love to bathe in shallow bowls in which lettuce leaves are floating in a little water. Parrots that are native to arid lands will bathe after rain by rubbing themselves against wet foliage. Tear a large leaf of lettuce (any variety) into pieces and place them in a bowl of water. Place the parrot in the bowl. If the parrot is going to bathe in leaves, it will rub its belly against the leaves, lift its wings, and wiggle itself into the water.
- The Shower. One of the most popular methods of bathing a parrot is in the shower with you. Be sure there is a safe place for the parrot to stand out of the way of the water. For example, if you place the bird on a shower rod place a clean wash cloth on the rod so the parrot won’t slip and fall. Aim the spray from the shower so the water falls gently on the parrot. If the parrot draws away from this, let the parrot stay out of the stream of water and soak up the humidity, which is also good for feathers.
The Bathing Water Dance
You’ll know your parrot is loving its baths when it does the “water dance.” The parrot will stretch its wings out, lower its head, turn around slowly, and fluff its feathers to get every drop of water.
Be patient and persistent. Before long you just might turn your water-hating parrot into a water-loving parrot that begs for healthy baths.
