Bird Care


© Barbara Lombardi

Do you own a bird? Have you given your bird a bath or shower lately? If not, you should and here's how:

Birds like to get wet. In fact by bathing them, you encourage normal preening behavior. Because most homes are kept at a constant temperature through central heat and air conditioning, the air in the house is dry compared to the bird's natural environment.

But you must know your own bird. Some birds prefer to be misted, while others like bathing. A squirt bottle can be set on mist (not spray) and aimed up and over the bird so the water falls onto the bird like mist or rain. For birds that like bathing, a dish with an inch of water in it can be placed in the bottom of the cage. Remove it after the birds have bathed.

For birds that prefer showers, place a perch in the shower and supervise it. Some birds like daily wet-downs while others do fine on a weekly basis. Take your bird's lead in the matter. If the bird is not feeling well, skip the bath or misting until it is feeling better to avoid chilling or stressing it.

Next up: Beak Trimming.

This is probably NOT something you want to do yourself. For the most part, a bird's beak normally will wear down evenly. If the beak is not wearing evenly, an avian veterinarian should be contacted to examine the bird and determine the reason. The uneven beak should be trimmed to prevent problems with eating or preening.

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