Baths And Showers..?

charmedbyekkie said:

Oh! I might be able to help here..

Some birds are very particular about how they bathe. Anything from temperature to angle of the spray to velocity of the spray! Cairo likes to start off with a light warm sprinkle on the side, then he likes a more solid downpour (preferably on the cooler from above, and occasionally he asks for a light misting under his wings from below.

I did also receive some advice here meant for smaller birds about offering a bowl with green leaves inside it - apparently some species like to rub against the wet greens (not sure if cockatiels are included).

Another thing that helped was normalising showering for Cairo. I take him into the shower with me. He used to watch from a distance and realised soon that the human was (hardcore pretending) to enjoy the shower (I was chatting in a happy, reassuring voice to him). Nowadays he either sits on his perch or sits on my head to shower.

But! For you and me to note, since we're both in hot and humid countries, don't cold-shock them. If a bird is overheating, best you spray water on their feet - not the whole body just yet. I read somewhere if their internal body temperature is high (enough that their wings and spread), then dousing them in cold water might cause internal organ damage. Not sure on the details - just know that avian systems are different from our mammalian ones

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Thanks for the advice

I'll try what you suggested and then maybe Cookie will enjoy or tolerate a shower.​

AmyMyBlueFront said:

BB is allergic to water...or so he thinks Hates baths. Only a couple times when he was young he bathed on his own. I put him in the kitchen sink with the water luke warm on trickle. He'd run around inside yelling his head off,then all of a sudden,he would face-plant himself in the basin,roll around,waving his arms frantically while making cute cockatiel sounds He did this maybe three times. Now he goes in the shower with me. I put him on the shower curtain rod and do my thing then he'll hop onto my hand as I move him in and out of a light spray/mist. At times he'll wave his arms other times he just sits on my hand. I give him a good soaking then wrap him in a towel and pat him dry. He tolerates getting dry most times.



Jim

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My..allergic to water? I hope he'll be alright XD

Well, at least BB tolerates/enjoys a shower/bath. The only thing Cookie does with water is drink. Any other use for water is against Cookie's law.​

Owlet said:

I just Apollo into the shower with me and she seems to enjoy that.

Some smaller birds like to bathe themselves with wet leafy greens. Like kale or dandelion greens. could try that.

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Thanks. I'll try that. Cookie may just like it.​