Getting my guy to drink water

Weezerj

New member
Mar 29, 2015
381
1
Portland, Oregon
Parrots
Illiger's Macaw (Loki)
...seems like my Illigers macaw rarely drinks water. Being the worrier that I am, I have been looking for ways to get him to drink more often. I noticed that when I was drinking from a cup he seemed interested. When there was ice in the cup, he gets really interested and likes to catch the ice cubes and crush them.

Light bulb went off.....so every so often I place a couple of ice cubes in his water dish and watch him go wild. He has to pick up every piece and crush it to small pieces. I noticed he takes a few drinks while playing this game...

Problem solved....now I can find something else to worry about :eek:
 

Allee

Well-known member
Oct 27, 2013
16,852
Media
2
213
Texas
Parrots
U2-Poppy(Poppy lives with her new mommy, Misty now) CAG-Jack, YNA, Bingo, Budgie-Piper, Cockatiel-Sweet Pea Quakers-Harry, Sammy, Wilson ***Zeke (quaker) Twinkle (budgie) forever in our hearts
Hahaha, sometimes it's all in the presentation! One of my quakers was a long time seedeater before I met her, she flatly refused any and all veggies until I offered 100% vegetable juice in a crystal glass. She's fully converted to a better diet now, but she still loves a glass of juice occasionally.
 

Aquila

New member
Nov 19, 2012
1,225
1
Philadelphia
Parrots
Sydney - Blue Front Amazon
Gonzo - Congo African Grey
Willow - Cockatiel
RIP:
Snowy, Ivy, Kiwi, Ghost - Parakeets
Berry - Cinnamon GCC
I've recently moved water bottles into my bird's cages. The bonded pair took to it the same day, and because it's right between food bowls, they'll take a few bites, a few sips, and then a few more bites. Once they realized it was water they were hooked. I still provide a bowl for the dunking of pellets and whatnot, but I feel better knowing that they have an untainted water supply and I feel like the water bottle is a little bit more of a "natural" way to drink. I use a glass and stainless steel one that hangs on the outside of the cage.
 

Taw5106

New member
Mar 27, 2014
2,480
25
Texas
Parrots
Buddy - Red Crowned Amazon (27 yo)
Venus - Solomon Island Eclectus (4 yo)
Buzz CAG (2 yo)
Sam - Cockatiel 1997 - 2004
Tweety - Budgie 1984 - 1987
Sweety - Budgie 1985 - 1986
If I have a cup, Venus must have what's in the cup. If I'm drinking from a bottle of water, Venus must have some so I pour some in the cap for her. Venus is my tough eater so she eats and drinks with me often because if I'm doing it, she must do it. I use it to my advantage to get the good stuff down her.
 

GreatBlue320

New member
May 5, 2015
771
0
Parrots
Baxter - Illiger's Macaw (hatch date 5.1.15);

Taylor - Black capped Conure (RIP 3.14.15 - miss you every day little "Girlie")
Problem solved....now I can find something else to worry about :eek:

LOL - I'm exactly the same way. Solve one problem/worry; move on to another.

I had the same worry with Baxter. He never seemed to drink any water. I put a "nanny cam" in his room and noticed he drank when he was in his cage. I also noticed he was interested in my water cups so I offer him a drink out of his own cup from time to time during the day.

You did a great job by paying attention to what was naturally of interest to Loki to solve the problem! I don't know about you, but when I figure something like this out, I feel like the Bird Owner of the Century... for about 5 minutes! :D
 

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