Just like humans, budgies (or wavy parakeets) also need to take care of their hygiene. This guide will explain how to bathe your feathered friend in a precise and safe way.
Steps
Step 1. Buy a spray bottle, which you can find almost everywhere, from hypermarkets to stores that sell garden supplies
It is an inexpensive item. You will simply have to spray the water on the bird.
Step 2. Do it at the right time, which is on a sunny, warm day
This way, you will ensure fast drying. Don't wash it when it's cold or raining.
Step 3. Some budgies don't like being wet, so spraying too much water could cause problems
In this case, spray it while the bird is in the cage, without getting too wet.
If your budgie is tame and loves to be washed, let him perch on your finger, on a surface that you can wet without problems, or in his cage. If they don't like being washed, follow the step above
Step 4. Spray water on the budgie
Three or four short sprays are enough to get the desired result. If she loves being washed, you can spray a little more instead.
- Do not splash the water in your eyes and do not wet them excessively. It is not necessary to use too much water to wash the budgies, because they are small and should not be soaked (in short, they must not bathe as if they were human beings).
- If your budgie flaps its wings or follows the spray, this means that it likes to be washed.
Step 5. Dry it
There are two ways to do this.
- If it's hot, allow it to air dry. It will straighten itself to come back dry.
- If it's cold, or you think you've wet it too much, keep it in a warm room, but don't place it directly in front of a radiator. You can gently pat it dry with a towel if it's quiet, otherwise avoid touching it.
Step 6. Allow him to smooth his own feathers
There is no need to interfere.
Step 7. Put it back where it usually is
Let him indulge in his classic activities. After bath time, he deserves a reward, so give him some millet or a small piece of a tasty fruit or vegetable.
Advice
- Before you spray the water on the budgie, make sure that the bottle just sprays it, without getting it too wet. Budgies and other small birds are very delicate and need to be taken care of with particular care.
- When you "bathe" him, make sure the water is lukewarm. Try not to spray it directly or wash it every day, as it could die from it.
- Washing your budgie will help you bond with him, unless he is interested in doing so.
- If your child wants to wash it, remember to keep an eye on it while doing it.
Warnings
- Use a clean spray bottle, not one that previously contained detergents or other chemicals. There is always a risk that the bird will fall ill (even fatally) if residues remain in the bottle. If you bought it from a store that sells gardening items, make sure it doesn't contain any artificial products and wash it thoroughly for a few times. Let it dry in the sun after each wash.
- If the budgie hasn't been tamed, you'll need to pay even more attention. They may get aggressive and peck you or react badly if they don't like being washed.
- Don't wash your budgie frequently, as it can get sick when its feathers are damp. Make it a point to do this once a month or a week for example.
