A bird afraid of water?!

ClaudePi

New member
Jan 17, 2010
49
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Parrots
Bronze Winged Pionus
Hello bird lovers, I have a question... how do you help a bird become more accepting of water? My Pi is a rescue, and ever since I have had her I have noticed that she is very afraid of water. She does not like being too close to the shower, and she is very afraid of water bottles. I am starting to think she was punished by being squirted at. The first thing that I have tried was that on the top of her cage, she has a tray. So I added water in the tray (just enough to get her toes wet) and a bowl of her favorite treats in the middle. I walked away (but not too far, didnt want to leave her unattended) and waited till I saw her with the treat in hand. So she can walk through it, very hesitant but she still did it.... So does anyone have any tips on how I can help her? No force necessary, she is a nervous nelly!
 

Allan Gibbs

New member
Jan 16, 2010
71
0
Gilbert, Arizona
Parrots
Blue-Gold baby Macaw
Perhaps if you used a spray bottle, that gives a very lite mist, from an angle that she doesn't see (overhead). Maybe that would help desensitize her fears.
 

Spiritbird

Banned
Banned
Aug 20, 2009
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It does sound like she was either exposed to water in a negative way or has very little experience with water. I am assuming you have one on one time with the bird. At those time have a bowl of water nearby. Play in it with your fingers, put little toys or greens in the water. Do not splash her as that may frighten her more. When you take a shower/bath have the bird in the bathroom with you. Not in the water but near enough so she knows you are having fun in the water. Sing and talk to her at those times. Show her water can be fun. If you do this enough she may come around. I would not spritz her until she is more willing to get wet. Welcome to our forum, It is a great place for bird people.
 

antoinette

Supporting Member
Jul 6, 2009
13,114
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Sunny South Africa !!!
Parrots
African "Grey"
"Mishka"
Male
7 Years old
SB has given some great tips and advise, high five SB.......

My AG Mishka was also petrified at first. In the beginning I placed her in the bath, with no water. Next time, a tiny bit, enough to wet her toes. At a later stage, I placed the shower nozzle on, at the other end. I played with the nozzle, laughed and had fun. It took about 6 long weeks, but was so worth the effort. She now runs towards the nozzle, waiting for the water to spray all over her.
Remember to take is slowly, all in her own time, when she is ready and willing.
Good luck
 

liliafavor

New member
Jun 23, 2010
6
0
Of course, by no traumatic experience, one can assume no experience at all, or no traumatic, but neutral and/or good experience with water. No experience at all with water could lead a human to believe it is hate. I Was wondering if maybe one of the reasons so many cats hate water is because we train them to hate it.. We spray them with a water bottle when they are bad.. So why would they like water?
 

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