In the wild, excellent feather condition is essential to the survival of any bird. In addition to flight, feathers provide insulation and temperature control, waterproofing and protection from the elements and are used both for camouflage and 'advertising'. It is instinctive behavior for our pet birds to keep their feathers in good condition and bathing encourages them to preen. Poor feather condition can be caused by malnutrition and disease but is often the result of bad hygiene caused by a lack of bathing opportunities. Most wild parrots bathe often and many come from rain forest areas with high humidity. Bathing or showering is also beneficial to the skin, body tissues and the respiratory system. If your parrot seems afraid, work slowly and gently to pattern him to accept 'bath time'. Misting, spraying, bathing and occasional 'drenching' are important parts of a daily routine to keep our parrots in tiptop shape.

Bathing is often a part of a wild parrot's daily routine. Parrots take their showers and baths in rain showers, small waterfalls, and streams or in the pools of water that form among the leaves in the tree canopy. Large sopping wet leafy greens such as collard, turnip, mustard or kale can provide a fun bathing experience while providing good vitamin A nutrition if the bird decides to eat them!
Some parrots, like Lories and Caiques, enjoy a good drenching. Once they become used to it, if the owner is careful about the eyes, ears and mouth, these birds can be held under the faucet for their baths.

One of the major causes of 'environmental' feather plucking in parrots is infrequent bathing. Humidity and moisture are essential for good skin and feather condition. Many small birds will bathe in shallow bowls or 'bird baths' available in pet shops. Keep the water shallow and make sure that the bird can climb out if he needs to. Most parrots love taking a shower with their owners. If you want to take your parrot into the shower but don't want to hold onto him there are several companies that make shower perches for parrots! Some parrots like to take baths in their water bowl, especially when their owner is vacuuming. Perhaps the roar of the motor is like the sound of a rainforest downpour. It is best to use clean, fresh water to give your parrot a bath or shower. Additives or commercial preparations are not necessary unless 'prescribed' by your avian veterinarian. Water can be room temperature to warm but not cold or hot. If your parrot seems afraid of being sprayed, buy a small glass plant mister and use a gentle mist from above. Once he is used to this, gradually switch to gentle spraying from a larger bottle. All birds need showers or baths. Letting your bird remain afraid may eventually be harmful to his feather condition and health.

Drying a parrot with a blow drier works very well if the bird is used to it. Some parrots get quite excited if they are blow dried after their bath or shower. Check the heat level frequently to keep it warm and not hot! On warm days, most parrots can 'drip dry' safely but on cool days the blow drier can help. Be sure that the area under the wings is dry. When blow dying your parrot make sure the dryer is on a low setting and do not dry them completely as this can dry out their skin and cause irritation. Also bathing should be done early in the day so that your bird is completely dry when he or she goes to bed for the night.

FREQUENT DRENCHING SHOWERS for parrots for their physical and psychological benefit. A good drenching one day and a quick spritz for a few days in between. Remember in the wild, bathing is not a choice for your birds, they just get wet. The worst thing you can do is to not bathe your bird regularly regardless of whether you think that they like it or not.

Misting a parrot on a daily basis is very good for their feathers and respiratory systems. Some birds are afraid of the bottle. Often it is the red nozzle that threatens them so buy a bottle with a blue nozzle instead. Hide the bottle in your clothes so the water comes out of your shirt. Misting parrots is so important that owners need to be clever enough to find a way to get their bird to like it.

Approaching your parrot from the front in a friendly manner will make it possible to accustom him to being towel dried after his bath or shower.

Parrots don't need to be given a 'real' bath with soap unless they have become very dirty or greasy. The law of the jungle is to 'preen until your clean' and a very dirty bird may pluck to try to get his feathers clean. Put the bird on a folded towel in the sink. Soak him with a spray attachment being careful not to get water in his ears or nostrils. Once he is sopping wet, rub a quality gentle dishwashing detergent into his feathers. Then make sure he is rinsed completely! Towel dry him as much as possible and place him in a warm room. A blow drier can be used but be very careful that it does not get too hot by frequently placing your hand in front of it as you dry the bird. Shampoos should only be used a few times per year. Frequent bathing should be done with plain water.