None of my birds like being sprayed.

Frumpydumple · Jul 24, 2014

I thought most birds would enjoy being lightly sprayed with water occasionally, but none of my four birds seem to like it at all.

Cookie hates it and gets pretty scared, Merle moves away, Nova moves away and sometimes lunges, Damien I'm not sure about since I just got him, but he doesn't seem to like being sprayed that much either.

Why do they not like it? Is it possible to get them to like it?

Phlox · Jul 24, 2014

They might not. Some birds like to bathe differently. Have you tried a little bowl or the sink or even the shower? It also usually takes a few tries. I tried to gently spray Iris tonight. She literally flew across the house. Not real keen on it just yet.

RavensGryf · Jul 24, 2014

Robin has always hated spray or shower baths. He's mellowed out a bit over it, since he's accustomed to it after a couple decades (though in the early days he never got one hahaha). Though he doesn't like it, he'll tolerate it now.

Raven acts like he wants to bathe, assuming the postures and all, so I get the spray bottle, and when I start spraying he runs away. Go figure. It's probably too close to him, but I like to get him all soaked. The shower is better because spraying that much gets everything all wet, including the walls. Griffin doesn't seem to mind spraying.

Frumpydumple · Jul 24, 2014

Phlox said:
They might not. Some birds like to bathe differently. Have you tried a little bowl or the sink or even the shower? It also usually takes a few tries. I tried to gently spray Iris tonight. She literally flew across the house. Not real keen on it just yet.

They do bathe, I just wanted to spray them because I've seen lots of birds really enjoy it.
Cookie bathes in the sink with the water running and I put a large plate in the sink and she runs around in circles on the plate for some reason. I should get a video of her doing that. She also bathes in a bowl.

Merle bathes in the sink or in a bowl.

Nova hasn't really bathed yet, he did bathe a bit in his water bowl though.

veimar · Jul 25, 2014

My birds are also not very fond of spraying, but I do it always as daily routine and never think too much about that. When it's hot outside they love to bath - I always have a large water dish in the cage. I wouldn't worry too much about that. I think it's not that don't like spraying - they are probably afraid of the water bottle. When Parry sees me with that bottle in hand he flies out of his cage and hides under my grand piano where I cannot get him! LOL But if he has no escape he just closes his eyes and endures this torture.

Peepers · Jul 25, 2014

All mine lobe being sprayed, even my budgies. But lots of people take them in the shower with them, they even have a shower perch.

Allee · Jul 25, 2014

I mist all my birds pretty often in addition to the baths they take on their own. My quakers are the only two that complain. Harry needs aloe mist so she couldn't talk me out of it. She will stand still and spread her wings now, but at first she would run and yell, "Ow, Stop, Uh-Oh." I've found if the bottle is set to the finest mist, the water is warmed to the perfect temp and sprayed above them and allowed to fall gently, it is at least acceptable.

BACON · Jul 25, 2014

My bird hates spray, she won't use the sink or a bowl in her cage. Very rarely she'll try her water bowl but not seen that for months, she was starting to look a bit drab sooo I submerse my hand in water to make sure it's nice and wet then I stroke her head and back, that is till she's worked out what I'm doing then runs away haha, but it works to a degree!!! Shines feathers anyway !!!

Maybe an idea for you if you can pet your birds backs??

Kalidasa · Jul 25, 2014

Some birds like to be more in control of their bathing, and prefer to bathe themselves in dishes and what-not. My budgies love being sprayed, but my conure prefers to take a dip or go in the shower with me...but he hates being sprayed, so I don't do it. Birds, like people, have their preferences and idiosyncrasies.

chjery · Jul 25, 2014

My Parrotlets dislike being sprayed most of the time and will fly away from me while yelling at me. Once in a while one of them (mango) will sit still and let me do it. They have a clip on bathing bowl that they use themselves, so I try not to push the spraying too much.

Chester initially hated it. But since he has been feeling a little bit better he has tried a couple of times to bathe in his water bowl so I go grab the water bottle, fill it with warm water and now he loves it. He ducks his head down and spreads his wings, he flaps and walks like a duck all over the place. It's really funny to watch.

MikeyTN · Jul 26, 2014

I have one that absolutely hates it....all the other ones either likes it from the beginning or hates it but all ended up loving to be sprayed over time. But Malachai the black lory despise shower, sink, or spray. But I'm forced to spray him rather he likes it or not as that's what keeps them clean and in good health. Due to his diet he gets quite dirty.

Dinosrawr · Jul 26, 2014

I definitely find that they're scared of the water bottle. Shiko LOVES being sprayed, but refuses to be sprayed by a water bottle. He gets so excited when he's in the shower that I think he tires himself out, because afterwards he falls asleep on me, hahaha. Avery just... endures. If I spray her with anything, she kind of just makes this face like, "why? Why do you do this to me?" I feel guilty, but she loves bathing but not "showering".

I think if you get it at the right temp, and use a bottle that is small, clear, and less intimidating, they'll eventually get used to it and enjoy it. It appears that most birds grow accustomed to it over time and then begin to enjoy it, whereas others just love it from the get go... or hate it from the get go until forever.

MrsKay · Jul 28, 2014

Larry does not like being sprayed at all. He bathes himself often and showers with me occasionally. Norman takes baths on his own. He is in the cage most of the time and I don't like getting the cage and everything all wet. If they didn't bathe often I would spray them anyway. Cold weather will be a different story. I don't think I'd force a spray on them in cold weather just because I'd worry about drying time. If they want to bathe, they'll bathe.

None of my birds like being sprayed.

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