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Bathing
Bathing is very important. However, do not be worried if your young parrot (under one year) does not take to it immediatly. Cleo was a dirty bird for many many months before she finally came to enjoy baths. I thought something was wrong with her, as I had heard so many people talk about how much their fids love to bathe. Even Cleo's sister, Gypsy (a sun conure) enjoyed bathing so much that she took baths twice a week in her water dish. I had tried all the suggestions listed below but Cleo had not taken to any of them. But, as Cleo matured she began to take baths almost everytime they were offered. She still declines to bathe sometimes, but for the most part she takes great joy in bathing now.
Informative Articles:
The
Fundamental Aspect of Care: Bathing the Psittacine: A very in-depth
article explaining the how and why of bathing birds. The article even
has some species-specific suggestions.
SPLISH!
SPLASH! Look Who's Taking A Bath! This
is a great article giving physiological effects of bathing as well as
wonderful bathing ideas.
SHOWER
POWER - Bathing Birds FAQ:
Bathing Photos and Videos:
Bathing
Fun: Check out these pics of beautiful fids having some fun during
and after bathtime.
Bathing
Ideas :
Warm
Towel:
Mist Spray:
Shower:
Shallow Dish:
Towel
Surfing: After
a bath many fids like to towel surf. Check out wonderful pictures of Matilda
enjoying some towel surfing. And you can also see a video
of Cleo towel surfing.
Cleo's
Sink Bath: Cleo doesn't so much bathe, as she does
shower. And she showers by jumping through the sprinkling water. I place
a large beach towel into the sink and drape it up onto the counter on
the right side and over into the other sink on the left side. I tie the
sink sprinkler to the faucet so that the sprinkler is on and pointing
down into the sink. I turn the water on so that there is a light sprinkle.
I set the water on cold (I read this is what birds preferred, and for
Cleo and Gypsy it has proven to be true). Cleo will stand on the left
side (on the divider between the sinks) and jump through the sprinkle
into the sink. She fluffs up in the sink then jumps out of the sink. She
walks around the sink to the divider and jumps in again. She does this
several times before she decides it is time for drying off in the sun
coming through the window.