I know he is different than the female tiel, but why doesn't he wash himself in the water I give everyday? Today I sprayed his feet a bit and the female just went for her second wash as I did this. Is he nervous or a dirty birdy? She always seem to clean herself he just does a quarter of what she does. What can I do?
2007-02-21 00:59:32 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Birds
A cockatiel's natural habitat is the desert of Australia, so they really don't need baths much more than once a week.
Maybe your male doesn't like the type of bath you're giving him. My male cockatiel refused to bathe for months after accidentally flying into a sink full of water! But with a lot of patience and creativity, he loves to take showers now.
Here are some things to try: Get a shower perch and put it at the very edge where the water sprays, but where he won't get soaked. Get in the shower with him and sing, whistle, whatever. You want to convince your bird that the water is so much fun and he is missing out.
Get a shallow dish and fill it with water. Float small bits of lettuce in it, or whatever vegie your bird likes that won't get waterlogged. This usually works better with Amazon parrots, but many birds will go into this "leaf bath" to get the food and end up enjoying themselves.
I have a cockatiel that loves taking showers from the bathroom sink. The faucet is shiney, and I think he likes that there is another "bird" in his reflection, taking a bath with him.
Try a spray bottle too. Also, experiment with different temperatures of water. Maybe the water your female 'tiel likes is too hot or too cold for the male. My 'tiel in the shower likes lukewarm water, while my 'tiel in the sink likes it super cold.
If all else fails, try putting your boy's perch or cage in the bathroom with you while you shower. The steam will keep him relatively clean, and he won't be getting soaked.
And don't forget to keep your birdies in a warm, dry, and draft-free area until they are all dried off after a bath!
2007-02-21 11:14:36 · answer #1 · answered by AnneBonny10 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
tiels are like people they like to choose. I don't like baths. I take showers. Your tiel may be the same way. Try misting him with luke warm water from a spray bottle. If he doesn't like that try running the sink water at luke warm temperature lightly and guide him by sprinkling some on his back. You can also put him in a kitchen sink and use the spray gun or even put a perch in the shower and let him take a shower with you. try several methods. One should work. My tiels are so different from each other. One likes to take a bath in the sink. the other likes to take a shower with me. I don't personally like the idea of putting a bath in the cage as water quickly forms bacteria.
2007-02-21 01:12:27 · answer #2 · answered by lilmisstickletoo 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Usually birds don't bathe, they preen themselves. Put a birdbath with a little lukewarm water in the cockatiel's cage, see if he notices and/or bathes in it. He might just simply look at his reflection! "Ooh, look at that pretty bird!" You may not think this, but you are scaring the bird. If he really needs bathing, go gently and offer him seeds or treats as you bathe. If he associates tasty food with bath time, he will be more willing to do it again.
2016-05-24 01:55:28 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some tiels love a bath, some don't. Some prefer to get into a tub bath, some prefer a spray bottle. It's all down to personal preference. :)
2007-02-21 01:03:17 · answer #4 · answered by j3nny3lf 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋