Continued from Page 2Next, take him to the mirror and if he's comfortable step into the bathtub area with him. Simply stand in there with him, talking low and sweetly. (Greys seem to like "sweetly") Do this for several days and remember to take him to the mirror first.
Next, take him to the mirror, step into the tub, only this time there will be an added attraction in the form of a T-stand or perch in the tub area. Do not rush to place him on the perch, take your time and read the bird. Is the comfort level adequate to attempt to place him on the perch? If not, simply stand there.
Do this for several days. After the same steps are followed each time (greys appreciate routine) you may attempt to introduce some water, and not necessarily on the bird. Off to the side may be tolerated and, if it is accepted, to the bird itself. Use your good judgment and never, ever, try to rush a resistant African grey.
Soaking the Crop Bib
"My parrot gets its shower and when I place him back in his cage he immediately jumps into his water cup!" Sound familiar? There is a good reason for this and the birds know it. This phenomenon is due to what I've termed "an inadequately soaked crop bib". This is the area of feathering at the base of the neck that lies over the crop area. The crop is a hot spot on a bird. Crop contents are warmer than the bird's average body temperature, therefore the skin over the crop is warmer than the rest of the bird. I am presently conducting a study of bacterial colony counts before and after a good soaking during bathing. My theory is that if bacteria is not flushed from the skin, as it is from our hands when we wash them, and is allowed to remain in this area it will proliferate, cause itching, and may lead to feather plucking. When you consider that the powdered species are notorious pluckers, it may stand to reason that bacteria trapped against the skin by the powder lying over it creates an "easy bake oven" type of environment with the heat of the crop skin incubating the bacteria.
Without an adequate soaking of this area it becomes the perfect environment for bacterial growth. The itching caused by bacterial growth may be the reason that our birds begin to tear, shred, and pluck out their feathers which could eventually lead to tissue mutilation. If you have a bird that plucks its feathers it would be wise to have it evaluated by a qualified avian veterinarian to rule out an underlying condition. Daily bathing of these birds is essential and may be a simple solution to the problem.
Water Temperature
Another frequently asked question is, "What water temperature should I use?" In looking seriously at this query I have come to some definite conclusions on the matter. Women, it appears, are the primary caretakers of our birds in the majority of cases. Women traditionally take hotter showers than men, as any male that has stepped into the shower after a female can tell you, they immediately reach for the cold water and wonder how we could possibly stand a water temperature that high?
A woman will set the water temperature for the bird, test it, and think "ah, that feels good!" and proceed to put this water on an animal that is already "cooking" at approximately 104°F. You may want to consider this and lower the water temperature a bit. Parrots seem to prefer a cooler water temperature for their showers. Start with a lukewarm setting and gradually cool the water, observing how the bird responds to it. If the bird seems to lose interest in bathing you may have crossed over the threshold of temperature tolerance.
Remind yourself that rain is cool, not warm. Even in tropical climates the rain is cool. Lower your water temperatures and monitor the response indicated by your bird. With this in mind, is it really such a good idea to take them in the shower with us and expect them to enjoy it? If it is the only means open to them they will take advantage of the situation. My feeling is that the bird should have the opportunity to bathe on their own as nature has intended. Try to imagine having someone in the shower with you every time you went in and for some reason the water temperature was never quite right. You get the idea.
Pool-bathers also generally prefer cool to cold water. The lakes, rivers, and streams that their relatives are bathing in are not warm waters. I personally know a woman that had been crisping broccoli in a bowl of ice water in her kitchen. Her lovebird was intrigued by this and proceeded to dive right in, bathing most splendidly! Not one to deny her birds the ability to fullfill their natural potential as birds, she allowed and observed this behavior. She felt that if the bird didn't find it to its liking, it would have gotten out of the bath!
Cooling down the water temperatures makes perfect sense if you can see it from the bird's point of view. With their high metabolic rate and subsequent high body temperatures, a cool water bath or shower is preferred over the one that would be preferred by that of a human male or female.
The Sentinel Bird
Prior reference has been made to the parrot being an animal that is preyed upon in its natural environment. While bathing, this concept is especially important in that a wet bird is a slow bird and a slow bird can be a dead bird. To have the ability to bathe and bathe properly in their natural environment, with minimal risk of predation, these birds have developed a system to ensure their survival: The sentinel bird.
In any gathering or flocking of birds there will be a bird at watch or "on duty". The primary function of this bird is to spy the skies and surrounding area for danger. This sentinel will not eat, preen, play, or sleep while at its post. The approach of a predator will incite this particular bird to warn the flock of the impending danger through its calls or through its flight from the area. While bathing, parrots will rely on the sentinel bird to keep watch and in a captive situation you become the sentinel for your bird. In other words, remain with your bird while it is bathing for it to feel that sense of security.
One woman related the story of how she kept her blue and yellow macaw in her shop. The bird would bathe in the utility sink in the back room by going in and out of the water. One day she had to leave the bird to tend to a customer and when she returned she found the macaw sitting on the sink waiting for her. The instant she made eye contact with the bird he immediately resumed taking his bath. The macaw looked to this woman as his sentinel and could bathe confidently and securely only when she was in the immediate vicinity.
This story is intended to illustrate that these birds carry their own genetically encoded behaviors, developed over millions of years, into their lives in captivity and their situations with humans. In the situation of cohabitation with parrots you are naturally considered as part of the flock and an integral part of their very survival. Wet birds are very vulnerable. Stay with your bird when it bathes for its sense of security and psychological well-being.
| Back | Top | Next Page |
 NetPets® Main Page |  The Bird Center |