Bathing

[Merlee]

I have a rehomed YNA and I have been misting it with a water bottle since the weather warmed up and he is not comfortable with showers yet. I noticed that the water looks like it's beading on the feathers on the back and head. The previous owner said she gave the bird a bath with something because he hadn't had a bath in a long time and smelled.

Is it possible that there is a chemical residue from whatever the previous owner used or is the beading from the bird's natural oils?

 

[triordan]

Their feathers are water proof, that's why an occasional good soaking is needed. Mine loves the mist settiing on the garden hose

 

[Merlee]

If the feathers are waterproof, how is he going to get soaking wet?

My macaw has good feathering, but water doesn't bead up like the amazon's.

 

[SandyBee]

Yes during a light mist the water will bead up as the feathers are water proof.
Lots of water will get the feathers soaking wet.
To get Bosley really wet I have to use a full large misting bottle.

His favorite way to get a shower is outside in the sun with the garden hose set to mist.
Unfortunately not always possible here due to weather.

I take Bosley in the bathroom with me and mist him while I am in the shower/bath, the sound of running water encourages him to bath more and longer.

 

[lotosha]

They can "open" the feathers and let themselves be wet. All my parrots love bathing so when I take them to shower they open wings, open feathers and get wet. Some times they are not in the mood for bath, then nothing will get them wet...

 

[JerseyWendy]

Yup, as others have already stated, the water just kid of repels off an Amazon. I go through 2 bottles of water in a mister to get Hunter sopping wet, and another 2 to do the same for Sam. The birds and I like it better when we bathe outside. I place them on the back of a garden chair, put the hose on fine mist and the fun begins.