Helpful tips and reminders related to bird baths:

• Provide bathing opportunities daily or at least a minimum of three times per week. Bathing promotes healthy skin and feathers.
• Bathe more frequently in dryer months to maintain a healthy respiratory system. Our winter heating systems result in very low indoor humidity levels which are unhealthy for our birds.
• Bathe your parrot companion during the warmest part of the day so the bird will dry before the temperature falls.
• Always use luke warm to slightly cool water to avoid burns or shocking your bird's system.
• Never drench your bird’s feathers because they can lose precious body heat.
• Make a game of bathing time. If you are enjoying yourself, your bird will likely enjoy himself. In our house we always sing the made up song "It's Birdie Bathy Time" (sung to the old time favorite Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay) inserting each bird's name as we move from cage to cage with the mister. Everyone including mom ends up dancing and having a good time.
• Many birds are instinctually stimulated into bathing activity by the sound of a vacuum running. Perhaps the sound is reminiscent of a rainstorm in the tropics?
• If you have an outdoor aviary, an outdoor misting system is a great alternative on a warm sunny day.
• If your bird really gets soiled or greasy you may want to use a bird safe shampoo to help restore your bird's feathers. Consult with your avian vet on the best way to proceed depending on the contaminant and always read the product label and follow the instructions provided.
• Avoid human bathing and shampooing products as they can strip the special preening oils your bird possesses.
• Some birds love getting a blow dry after taking a bath but it's not necessary or even recommended. Make sure that the temperature setting on the hair dryer isn't too high.
• If using a birdbath, pan or bowl of water in your bird's cage, remove it when the bathing is complete and replace any wet cage bedding below to prevent mold growth.