Since I began the investigation into bird bathing behavior I have learned so many new and unusual things about our avian companions. Many of these findings have led me to look into how and why they do the things that they do. Upon realizing how important bathing is to birds I began to compile data relating to the rainfall averages in the areas that our psittacines are indigenous to. Much of this information is difficult to obtain since this data is primarily available for the regions that is inhabited by Homo sapiens. Delving deep into the regions where the psittacines dwell is not always an easy task and some of the information is obscure at best. Since the parrots occupy an area of the planet that is primarily equatorial in location (between The Tropic of Cancer and The Tropic of Capricorn) it becomes apparent that their need for frequent bathing is essential.

The information I have gathered to date reveals that the majority of our parrots have evolved in areas that are lush, humid, and receive annual rainfall averages of six to ten feet. Genetically engineered through nature for nearly 35 million years in areas such as these indicates that their need for daily bathing is nearly as essential as their intake of food. For some reason or other we have missed considering one of their most basic needs.

The Dog Mentality

For thousands of years man has kept as his companion a mammal that has served, protected, and possibly allowed us to survive as well as we have. The dog has been with us and we know him well. Unfortunately, since it is so well understood by humans we have the tendency to use this animal as the model that we gauge other animals by. My suggestion is to drop the "dog mentality" when dealing with parrots. They are not dogs and are not remotely similar in any respect. Dogs understand violence when initiated by a pack member but a bird does not have this information in its genetic make-up. Parrots tend to make great noise and "get big" when confronted by a member of their flock. A lot of bluster and it's all over. In regard to bathing, many will look at the parrot's need to bathe and relate it to the dog. Since our 'animal information' comes primarily from our relationship with the canine, our brain has become full of information relating to these animals. Unfortunately, when applied to the parrots, this information simply will not work. I find parrots to be more like us than we are like ourselves. Think about it...they are long-lived like we are, fall in love and mate for life like we would like to, generally live in flocks that are not unlike our relationships with other people such as work, school, church congregations, neighborhoods, villages, and communities. Not much different, are they? Yet when someone asks me how often should they bathe their parrot I always ask, "How often do you bathe?". We have a difficult time (with only our knowledge of the care of the dog as a basis for animal care) realizing that any animal, other than ourselves, would require bathing on a daily basis. Parrots are different and that's why we like them so much. Realizing the difference should help us separate their needs from the needs of a dog. In their natural environment, parrots may bathe daily as long as the rain is falling, and with the average rainfall of up to ten feet of it may be safe to say that the rain is falling quite frequently.

Water Temperatures

One of the most frequently asked questions by parrot owners who wish to bathe their birds adequately is, "What water temperature is best for them?" In studying the regional rainfall, and the water temperatures of the rivers, lakes, and streams that the parrots have evolved near gave me the answer to this question. Actually showering birds of different species (both my own and those of others) also indicated to me the temperatures preferred by the birds. Let's study this for a moment...in the majority of cases the primary caretakers of our pet birds are women. Women traditionally take hotter showers than men (as any man that has stepped into the shower after a woman can tell you, they immediately reach for the cold water.) Women caring for the birds will set the water temperature at a level that appeals to them (ahh, that feels good) and place it on an animal that is already "cooking" at approximately 104°F. Parrots will not enjoy a bath at a temperature that is appealing to human beings. Since our base of knowledge is that which makes sense to us, formed by our own experience, we apply it to the world around us. The suggestion here is to cool down the water temperature using luke-warm, cool, and cold water. Varying the water temperature and observing how your bird reacts will indicate the temperature it prefers. Never force water onto a bird and always give the bird the option of moving in and out of the water at will. Remember, in a natural environment, a bird has the option of moving under the shelter of the canopy of leaves when it has had enough of a bath. Provide this option for your bird for its psychological well-being.

The Pool Bathers

Since we are on the topic of water temperature it seems like an excellent opportunity to discuss the "pool-bathers". Many times when I am lecturing or discussing methods of showering birds there is always someone who says, "My bird bathes in a bowl. (or dish, pan, etc.)" They always appear so dejected because their bird will not shower. That's okay! Many species of the birds we keep have evolved along rivers, streams, and lakes and have adapted themselves to the pool method of bathing. I must stress here that you should not attempt to convert a pool-bather to accept a shower if they are resistant to it. Simply allow your pool-bather to enjoy what has been genetically put into place through millions of years of evolution. Through my research I have determined that cool to cold water should be utilized for the pool bath. It is not uncommon for them to enjoy a bath that has ice cubes in the water. In my slide presentation on bathing (all of the birds are wet!) I've included a slide of a Peach-faced Lovebird diving into a bowl in which someone was crisping broccoli in ice water. This person was not one to deny her birds their freedom to experiment and she allowed her bird to bathe to its heart's content. After testing the waters, this bird found the water temperature to its liking and gave itself more than an adequate bath.

For the pool-bathers I have always suggested using a clean, unused paint-roller tray (of a neutral color) that the bird could use for bathing. The tray will mimic a riverbank, allowing the bird to move in to the depth of water it prefers. On the ridged end of the tray, where the paint roller would be rolled to even the distribution of paint, I suggest placing a thick pad of wet paper towels. The wet paper towel imitates the feel of mud to the bird's feet (what I call "soft feet") and affords them the traction they require as they descend into the water. This technique has proven effective for many owners of pool-bathers and cooler water temperatures have enticed many inadequate bathers to bathe with more enthusiasm.

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