GROOMING
BATHS
Bathing is very important for the health of your parrot. Some parrots love to bathe and some don't.
If your parrot loves to bathe don't discourage it! It's very beneficial for the health of their feathers and skin.
Some parrot's enjoy bathing in a sink with water running down on them, others enjoy bathing in a bowl of water, and others like being misted by a spray bottle. These are all great ways for your parrot to keep their feathers fresh and for some, it helps to keep the dust down.
Certain parrots such as Cockatiels, Cockatoos, and African Greys have powder down feathers. These feathers turn into dust when the parrot preens, causing problems for some people and other birds who have respiratory problems.
Frequent bathing of these parrots and running an air purifier will help keep dust levels down. (do not use an ion or ozone air purifiers)
If your parrot doesn't enjoy taking a bath, don't give up on them, they may soon come to enjoy bathing.
Do not use any kind of soap or spray that says it's for bathing birds (unless prescribed by a vet)
Soap and sprays that are available to buy at stores can really mess up the bird's feathers and their natural oils.
Do not use any kind of oil or lotion on your parrot either. The natural oils that come from the parrot's oil gland or wick feather (small white feather by the base of the tail) help to make the parrot's feathers water proof and healthy so their body temperature stays consistent and balanced.
If you add soaps or oil to their feet or feathers it will throw off the natural oils and your parrot could freeze to death. Literally.
So let them bathe in just plain water, nothing else.
It's also important to keep in mind that your parrot should not bathe before bedtime.
Letting them bathe and then putting them to bed could cause them to get sick or freeze.
If you can, let them bathe sometime in the morning or afternoon, that way they will be able to dry themselves off and possibly sun bathe near a window for warmth.
Preening is another way that parrots clean themselves. It allows them to coat their feathers in natural oils from their wick feather, and helps them to keep free from bugs and other irritants.
Parrots can be overcome with the need to preen, so much so that they may even preen you!
In the wild parrots preen each other, so when you bring them into your home and they see you as their flock you can expect to be preened!
Preening is an act of love and should never be discouraged unless they start baring a hole into your skin or they try to take off a mole or freckle that's not going anywhere :)
If your parrot loves to bathe don't discourage it! It's very beneficial for the health of their feathers and skin.
Some parrot's enjoy bathing in a sink with water running down on them, others enjoy bathing in a bowl of water, and others like being misted by a spray bottle. These are all great ways for your parrot to keep their feathers fresh and for some, it helps to keep the dust down.
Certain parrots such as Cockatiels, Cockatoos, and African Greys have powder down feathers. These feathers turn into dust when the parrot preens, causing problems for some people and other birds who have respiratory problems.
Frequent bathing of these parrots and running an air purifier will help keep dust levels down. (do not use an ion or ozone air purifiers)
If your parrot doesn't enjoy taking a bath, don't give up on them, they may soon come to enjoy bathing.
Do not use any kind of soap or spray that says it's for bathing birds (unless prescribed by a vet)
Soap and sprays that are available to buy at stores can really mess up the bird's feathers and their natural oils.
Do not use any kind of oil or lotion on your parrot either. The natural oils that come from the parrot's oil gland or wick feather (small white feather by the base of the tail) help to make the parrot's feathers water proof and healthy so their body temperature stays consistent and balanced.
If you add soaps or oil to their feet or feathers it will throw off the natural oils and your parrot could freeze to death. Literally.
So let them bathe in just plain water, nothing else.
It's also important to keep in mind that your parrot should not bathe before bedtime.
Letting them bathe and then putting them to bed could cause them to get sick or freeze.
If you can, let them bathe sometime in the morning or afternoon, that way they will be able to dry themselves off and possibly sun bathe near a window for warmth.
Preening is another way that parrots clean themselves. It allows them to coat their feathers in natural oils from their wick feather, and helps them to keep free from bugs and other irritants.
Parrots can be overcome with the need to preen, so much so that they may even preen you!
In the wild parrots preen each other, so when you bring them into your home and they see you as their flock you can expect to be preened!
Preening is an act of love and should never be discouraged unless they start baring a hole into your skin or they try to take off a mole or freckle that's not going anywhere :)
CLIPPING WINGS
Many people have strong opinions about clipping a bird's wings.
Some think it's cruel to clip a bird's wings because it takes away their ability to fly. Some think that it is a kindness to clip a bird's wings because it keeps them from flying into windows, landing on a hot stove, etc...
If you have other pets (dogs, cats) it's probably a good idea to not clip your birds wings because if your bird would need to get away from a cat or dog they would be able to fly away.
We have dogs, and although we don't let the birds out when the dogs are in, we don't clip their wings. I would hate for them to get loose somehow while the dogs are in and not be able to get away.
Each person will have their own personal preference, but I recommend clipping their wings if you have a new bird. It will make training, taming & bonding easier. The flight feathers will grow back a few months after they have been clipped.
If clipping your bird's wings is something you'd like to do here's how:
You will need scissors, a towel, & an extra pair of hands.
Have your extra pair of hands lightly hold your bird in a towel and gently fan out it's wing. Observe your birds wing and determine where to clip it (along with the picture above) Only cut the primary flight feathers (this will not hurt your bird) Repeat with the other wing.
If you don't want to do it yourself, avian vets are able to clip wings.
Some think it's cruel to clip a bird's wings because it takes away their ability to fly. Some think that it is a kindness to clip a bird's wings because it keeps them from flying into windows, landing on a hot stove, etc...
If you have other pets (dogs, cats) it's probably a good idea to not clip your birds wings because if your bird would need to get away from a cat or dog they would be able to fly away.
We have dogs, and although we don't let the birds out when the dogs are in, we don't clip their wings. I would hate for them to get loose somehow while the dogs are in and not be able to get away.
Each person will have their own personal preference, but I recommend clipping their wings if you have a new bird. It will make training, taming & bonding easier. The flight feathers will grow back a few months after they have been clipped.
If clipping your bird's wings is something you'd like to do here's how:
You will need scissors, a towel, & an extra pair of hands.
Have your extra pair of hands lightly hold your bird in a towel and gently fan out it's wing. Observe your birds wing and determine where to clip it (along with the picture above) Only cut the primary flight feathers (this will not hurt your bird) Repeat with the other wing.
If you don't want to do it yourself, avian vets are able to clip wings.
TRIMMING NAILS
Trimming your parrot's nails is pretty simple.
You want to make sure you keep their nails trimmed, as long nails are a hazard.
You will need to have a good pair of clippers. Now human toe or finger nail clippers will not work, you will need clippers like the ones here.
You want to use cuticle cutters because they are straight and easy to clip the parrot's nail without getting it caught or having to angle the nail into an odd position which could hurt your parrot's foot. If your parrot's nails are too large for these cutters, use regular pet cutters like these.
You'll want to have some styptic powder with you also just in case you do clip too high on the nail.
Like with clipping a parrot's wings, you'll want an extra pair of hands. Wrap your parrot in a towel and gently unwrap it's foot, cut each nail one at a time. (using the picture as a guide) Don't cut too high or else they will bleed. If your parrot has a light colored or clear nail you will be able to see the vein.
If your parrot has dark nails it's a little harder to tell where the vein is. The picture at the side is a nice guide to help know where the vein is on dark nails.
I'll be posting a video on how to do this soon!
If you don't feel comfortable clipping your parrot's nails or have a difficult parrot, contact an avian vet.
You want to make sure you keep their nails trimmed, as long nails are a hazard.
You will need to have a good pair of clippers. Now human toe or finger nail clippers will not work, you will need clippers like the ones here.
You want to use cuticle cutters because they are straight and easy to clip the parrot's nail without getting it caught or having to angle the nail into an odd position which could hurt your parrot's foot. If your parrot's nails are too large for these cutters, use regular pet cutters like these.
You'll want to have some styptic powder with you also just in case you do clip too high on the nail.
Like with clipping a parrot's wings, you'll want an extra pair of hands. Wrap your parrot in a towel and gently unwrap it's foot, cut each nail one at a time. (using the picture as a guide) Don't cut too high or else they will bleed. If your parrot has a light colored or clear nail you will be able to see the vein.
If your parrot has dark nails it's a little harder to tell where the vein is. The picture at the side is a nice guide to help know where the vein is on dark nails.
I'll be posting a video on how to do this soon!
If you don't feel comfortable clipping your parrot's nails or have a difficult parrot, contact an avian vet.
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Disclaimer: I am not a veterinarian. The material on this site is not intended to be, and should not be relied on as, a substitute for professional advice. Read my full disclaimer here
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