how important is bathing?

[henry0reilly]

I get the feeling that bathing might be rather important but I've never seen the yna do it and the 'too only once in 2 years.

I've tried to carry Babybird to the kitchen sink or bathroom shower but she is afraid and reacts badly. The one time I saw her bathe was in a water dish staged on top of the cage waiting to be changed out in (Mad) Max's cage.

Somewhere we have a spray bottle, I know I need to find it or get another one.

 

[Ira7]

My YNA, under a year, loves the spray bottle. I take him out so I don’t wet the cage.

I started with a warm, soft mist...then a little cooler water. He spreads his wings and takes it in with total joy.

I asked here recently about frequency, and was told about twice a week when temps allow, but drafts never allowed. I was afraid too much might encourage plucking, but no one replied like that.

 

[wrench13]

Amazons have no preening gland, unike oher parrots, so bathing is very inportant to them to maintain feather health and condition. Tyoically 2-3 times a week, conditions premitting ( not cold and no drafts).

Spray bottles usually have colored tips, which may be your parrots 'flash' color. If they spook at it, try one with a different tip. We use warm water sprayed into the air so it falls in a gentle mist onto Salty.

Your cockatoo comes from the Austrailian outback a very aririd area, and they produce a dusty powder that helps keep feather in conditon, so he may not need bathing as often as your Amazon.