Post by Sarah on Nov 6, 2013 6:54:56 GMT
Well, when he is nice and soaking wet, he really isn't interested in coming back down immediately. I don't make him leave the water until he is ready, and in general he is content to perch nearby. He sits and preens. In fact, I often give him the option of a swing perch - simply a plastic coat hanger on the curtain rod. He spends the time shaking the water out of his feathers and preening. Come to think of it, he has never once tried to jump back down. If you are concerned, I would suggest placing your bird on a warm towel elsewhere in the bathroom before returning to the shower. Just make sure the toilet is closed and the floor is clean in case they climb down.
Of course, if your bird were to fly to you in the shower and get soapy feet or feathers, be sure to hold them gently but firmly and rinse them very thoroughly. However, it is important to keep them in the warm and steamy bathroom until they get the majority of the water off them. You can also dab gently at the birds wings and tail with a towel to help this process. If you take them back out into the cold, or even room temperature air immediately, they may get sick. If you want to give your bird a shower in winter, it is best to carry them to your room or a sofa covered loosely in a towel, and then cuddle them under a warm blanket until they are completely dry. It's best not to do this too often, because it will give your bird nesting instincts - you should limit it to once or twice a month. Shivers are a major danger sign after a bath. A healthy and fit bird would probably get through it okay and just feel grumpy and crummy the next day, but a bird who has been exposed to any little bug or tummy upset might find themselves unable to fight off whatever it is after the chill, particularly very young or very old birds. Some people buy special teflon free blow driers and train their birds to accept being air dried on the lowest heat setting, of course.
Of course, if your bird were to fly to you in the shower and get soapy feet or feathers, be sure to hold them gently but firmly and rinse them very thoroughly. However, it is important to keep them in the warm and steamy bathroom until they get the majority of the water off them. You can also dab gently at the birds wings and tail with a towel to help this process. If you take them back out into the cold, or even room temperature air immediately, they may get sick. If you want to give your bird a shower in winter, it is best to carry them to your room or a sofa covered loosely in a towel, and then cuddle them under a warm blanket until they are completely dry. It's best not to do this too often, because it will give your bird nesting instincts - you should limit it to once or twice a month. Shivers are a major danger sign after a bath. A healthy and fit bird would probably get through it okay and just feel grumpy and crummy the next day, but a bird who has been exposed to any little bug or tummy upset might find themselves unable to fight off whatever it is after the chill, particularly very young or very old birds. Some people buy special teflon free blow driers and train their birds to accept being air dried on the lowest heat setting, of course.