FAQ: Bowls & Feeders for birds

There are enclosed baths that hang in the cage door opening, open shallow dishes that stand on the floor or clip to the bars, and larger baths for birds bathing outside the cage. Large parrots are also often misted or showered.

It is an enclosed bath with clear walls that hangs on the outside over the open cage door. The bird walks into it from the cage, and less water splashes into the room and the cage litter.

For small birds just a few centimetres of water is enough to stand and splash in. Deep water frightens them and can be dangerous, so it is better to start with a very shallow layer.

Many birds can be offered a bath several times a week, and daily in hot weather. Match the frequency to the bird's habits: some bathe every day, others rarely.

The bath is worth taking out once the bird has finished bathing, or after a few hours. Water left standing longer gets dirty, and the bird may drink from it.

Birds often drink from the bath too, so it should contain only clean drinking water with nothing added. The bath does not replace the drinker, though, which must always be in the cage.

The bath should let the bird stand comfortably and spread its wings. Small hanging baths often suit canaries and budgies, but it is worth checking the size of the cage door opening before buying.

Large parrots are often offered a wide shallow dish outside the cage, a mist of clean lukewarm water or a shower on a dedicated perch. Bathing should always be supervised.

It is a perch with suction cups or a bracket that you fix in the shower so the parrot can sit under a gentle stream of lukewarm water. Never leave the bird alone, and the water must not be strong or hot.

Yes, many birds enjoy a fine mist of clean lukewarm water that resembles rain. Spray from above and from some distance, not straight at the beak or eyes, and use a spray bottle that has never held chemicals.

Room-temperature or slightly lukewarm water suits a bird bath. Water that is too cold can put the bird off, and hot water can scald it, so test the water with your hand before putting the bath in.

Usually not – plain clean water is enough for a bird's feathers. If you want to use a special bathing product for birds, choose only one made for that purpose and follow the label, as the bird may also drink the water.

Many birds are wary of new objects, and deep or cold water frightens them. It helps to place the bath next to the cage first, use very little water and add wet lettuce leaves for the bird to rub against.

Let the bird inspect the empty bath for a few days, then add a very shallow layer of water. The sound of running water or another bird already bathing encourages some birds.

It is better to bathe a bird in the morning or during the day so it is completely dry by evening. The room should be warm and free of draughts, and a wet bird should not be dried with a hair dryer.

Yes, as long as the room is warm and draught-free and the bird has time to dry before evening. The air is dry during the heating season, so bathing can even help the feathers and skin.

Some budgies bathe readily, others avoid the bath but happily roll in wet greens or under a fine mist. It is worth trying several ways and choosing the one that suits your particular bird.

Empty, rinse and dry the bath after every use. Scrub it regularly with a brush, as water with feather dust and droppings quickly leaves a film.

Enclosed baths that hang on the door and baths with high walls splash less. A towel or non-slip mat can go under the cage, and the litter should be changed after bathing so it does not go mouldy.

No, quail, chickens and some other birds clean their feathers by bathing in sand or dust. They need a shallow tray of dry sand rather than a water bath.