There are several ways to give your bird a bath.

Bathtime is the part of grooming that can be enjoyable for both you and your birds. It plays an important part in keeping your bird healthy by promoting preening and controlling dry, flaky skin.

How your bird bathes is up to you and the type of bird you own. You can provide a shallow bowl for your bird's bathing pleasure. There are several bathing bowls available from bird product manufacturers.

Another form of bathing is by using a clean, unused spray bottle or plant mister filled with lukewarm water on your bird. Some birds prefer this light shower. Make sure that the water is at room temperature--not too hot or too cold.

Larger birds may like to join you in the shower. I have a bird perch especially manufactured for the shower. It has ridges so that my birds can maintain their grip on the perch even when it's wet. I place it at the far corner of the shower so that it is not directly under the shower spray. This way, by using my hands to divert the spray, I can control how much water actually touches the bird.

Make sure that your bird bathes during the warmer daylight hours and that it is not exposed to drafts or cool air. Do not bathe your bird if it seems ill. The bathing ritual can become a wonderful time for you and your bird, and it will enhance its health and appearance!