FAQ: Bowls & Feeders for birds

Hang the drinker vertically on the outside and put its trough through a bar opening at perch height so the bird can reach the water easily. It must be held firmly so it does not fall when the bird lands on it or pushes it.

Room-temperature drinking water suits birds. On hot days change the water more often and do not place the drinker in direct sun, where the water warms quickly and bacteria multiply.

If tap water is safe for people to drink, it is usually fine for birds too. If the water is very hard or you have doubts about its quality, some owners use filtered or boiled and cooled water.

Birds should not be given sparkling water, and strongly mineralised water is not necessary. Plain clean drinking water, changed daily, is right for a bird.

Some supplements are made to dissolve in water, but use them only according to the label or a vet's advice. Such water spoils faster, so it needs changing more often and the drinker must be washed thoroughly.

Green film is usually algae, which grows in water standing in the light. Keep the drinker out of direct sun, change the water daily and scrub the drinker regularly with a brush.

The slippery film on the drinker walls is a build-up of bacteria known as biofilm. It can harm the bird's health, so changing the water is not enough – the drinker needs to be scrubbed out mechanically.

Narrow tubes and troughs are easy to clean with a small bottle brush or a dedicated drinker brush. After cleaning, rinse the drinker well in clean water so no detergent is left.

Limescale usually comes off when the drinker is soaked in diluted vinegar and cleaned with a brush. Afterwards it must be rinsed thoroughly in clean water so no vinegar smell or residue is left.

A drinker is worth replacing when it is cracked, leaks, is deeply scratched or no longer cleans up clear. Bacteria build up on damaged plastic surfaces faster than they can be washed off.

A dry seed feeder is worth clearing of husks daily and washing at least once a week. Wash dishes for fresh or soft food every day, and even more often if the food sits for long in a warm room.

Bird dishes can be washed in hot water with a little unscented washing-up liquid, then rinsed well and dried. Use disinfectants only if they are made for pet equipment and only as the label says.

Stainless steel, glass and most ceramic bird dishes can go in the dishwasher. For plastic dishes follow the manufacturer's instructions, as heat can warp them.

Stainless steel, glass and ceramic dishes can be scalded with boiling water, which is a simple way to disinfect them. Plastic dishes can warp from the heat, so they are better washed in hot but not boiling water.

Strong household cleaners give off fumes and can leave residues that are harmful to birds. If you use them, do it in another room away from the bird, follow the label and rinse and dry the dishes very thoroughly.

With a spare set, clean dishes can go straight in while the dirty ones are washed and dried properly. That way the bird is never left without water and food, even for a minute.

Soak the dish in warm water to loosen the residue, then wipe it off with a brush or sponge. Stuck-on residue is worth cleaning daily, as bacteria and mould multiply quickly in it.

Remove the hood, wash it in warm water with a mild detergent and brush out the corners where dust and husks collect. It must be completely dry before you put it back on.

Yes, seed poured into a damp feeder clumps together and may go mouldy or sprout. Towel the washed dish dry or let it dry completely before adding seed.

For most cage birds bathing helps keep the feathers in good condition and reduces dust. It is worth offering a bath regularly, even if the bird does not use it every time.