I also have a African Gray that loves taking a shower. But the water beads and runs off of him. He doesn't get soak. Was wondering if this was normal for a Cockatoo.
2006-09-16 13:33:06 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Birds
Ok he is in the water, do you think he isint gonna get wet?
2006-09-16 13:43:42 · answer #1 · answered by KittyMom 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have two goffins.
They LOVE the water and look SO goofy when they get all drenched.
It's normal and healthy from what I know. Cockatoos have long feathers compared to other birds, so when they get drenched they really look funny.
I put some pics on flickr after Boo showered with me a few months ago. Both birds shower with me and get soaked about once or twice a month (though they take turns daily coming into the bathroom with me while I shower). The younger one only likes to bathe in her water bowl, but she will get JUST as soaked as Boo.
I'm extra careful to keep them away from drafts afterwards. I totally understand how it can throw you off when your bird gets soaked-- because it looks so ... miserable and wrong! lol.
2006-09-16 14:32:25 · answer #2 · answered by Jessie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"risia13131" is right, The cockatoo and Grey are 2 "Powder Down" Species. Microscopic bits of their feathers break off creating a sort of "baby powder". this protects their feathers from dirt, oil and grease.
I'm a little concerned that you showered him at such a young age, to be honest. While I'm not that familiar with Goffin's Cockatoos, I'm aware that you need to wait until the birds are at an age when they are in full feather before you shower them. This varies from species to species.
All birds need a good shower, and I think it should be an average of about once a week. I think it depends entirely on how much you handle them, to be honest. Th oil on our hands gets on their feathers which attracts dirt and it should be cleaned off.
My Greys are out of their cages and on play stands almost all day. They are frequently handled by many people, and play on the floor with balls and other toys, so they get showered about twice a week.
Despite the fact that their feathers repel water, my greys get a good soaking; not just a run through a mister. I put them in the bottom of the tub, and turn the shower on them with lukewarm water. (I've tried other temperatures, but lukewarm is what they like)
I don't like shower perches...they could slip and hurt themselves, and they simply can't fall off the tub floor. They are also more secure.
When they come out, they are really wet...I mean soaked. I wrap them in a prewarmed bath towel and hold them for a while until they want to come out. One Grey gets so comfortable in his towel after a shower, he often falls asleep.
My only concern about your Goffin's would be to ensure he is in full mature feather before showering him again.
But your description doesn't sound like you should be concerned as long as his feathers appear normal when he is dry.
2006-09-16 23:00:12 · answer #3 · answered by Phoenix 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Birds pluck while they're bored, scared, or under pressure. there is obviously a challenge with the life kind he resides. the two he's in a room that's many times busy or noisy and he's under pressure, or he gets no interplay and is bored and lonely. Cockatoos pick consistent stimulation. try enjoying a television for him, spend greater time conserving him, purchase him new toys, provide him a form of ingredients (sparkling vegetables, breads, meats, nuts, etc. besides to his typical ingredients). A correct inspired chook won't pluck feathers. additionally, circulate to an avian vet just to rule out mites or different parasites that could reason itching. Plucking is merely approximately continually rigidity led to, yet not often a wellness difficulty will reason it rather.
2016-10-15 01:57:54 · answer #4 · answered by scharber 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes because when birds fly in the rain there feathers are designed to make sure that they get heavier from the water so they don't fall from there weight there feathers are like oil coats if anything the water should run off of the birds feathers
2006-09-16 13:44:54 · answer #5 · answered by Surfer_69 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's normal. Have you noticed when touching your cockatoo that your hands get powder on them? This is unique to the Genus. The African will "bead up" like other birds, but the cockatoo will look "soggy". It's because of the powder. It's Okay.
2006-09-16 13:50:24 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
NO, are you using soap?? DON'T! Sometimes when the oil is washed off, it will never return, so; Someone did at some time, it may need to go to a vet to see if its feathers can be re-oiled. Most birds will preen themselves, and dont need being 'bathed' by humans.. I keep a bath outside for the wild ones in my yard, and it is rarely used. They will more often get into the sandy gravel in the drive and stir up some dust..
2006-09-16 13:53:13 · answer #7 · answered by mr.phattphatt 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My Sun Conure gets wet and looks like a wet rat playing in his water bowls. The just runs off the cockatiel. I have read where the Sun conures do this. I don't know why but it seems that it is normal.
2006-09-16 14:29:17 · answer #8 · answered by Don K 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, this is not normal. Birds have oils on their feathers to repel water, his diet may be missing something important. Ask someone who will know.
2006-09-16 14:12:35 · answer #9 · answered by G. B. 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is normal. I would just mist him every day rather than get him soaking wet and risk pneumonia.
2006-09-16 14:12:29 · answer #10 · answered by twistedmouse 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋