Female Eclectus Bath Question

[OcTavia]

Tavia my SI Eclectus is 5 1/2 months old. She seems to just tolerate being in water. Shes not screaming or trying to get out of the sink or bathtub. I have tried sprinkling water on her, putting her underneath the water (she will just sit there) but I never see her opening her wings or really seeming to enjoy or play in the water. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[MikeyTN]

It just takes time, some of my birds didn't enjoy it at first until after several tries. I just do the shower part though....

 

[Anansi]

I'd try a bunch of different things. Like Michael, I only shower mine. But I discovered that each of my ekkies has their own preference. Maya likes her own water on the warmer side, with lighter spray pressure. Jolly prefers a cool shower, with spray pressure just one notch higher.

I discovered these preferences by trying something a little different with each shower until I happened upon one each REALLY went crazy for.

 

[Violet_Diva]

I initially misted my Bella until soaked. I tried cool water, tried warm water, tried a water bowl, she wasn't interested.

Then I caught her actively attempting to bathe in her drinking water (the bowl is far too small for that) after a couple of months of her acting like she didn't like water.

She now enjoys bathing and making noises underwater too
http://www.parrotforums.com/behavioral/64898-underwater-squawking-really.html

So your girl probably just needs some time to work out what her preference is Let us know what she decides she likes best

 

[BruceTheQuail]

I hose ours and they love it. Their absolute favorite is to be misted, so if you can get something that will create a mist from a distance, it might help. But yours is very young, maybe once her confidence grows she will be more up for it.

 

[OcTavia]

Thank you everyone for the feed back! I will continue to try different ways. I havent tried a spray bottle yet so that will be next. I appreciate it and will update when we both figure it out lol

 

[katie_fleming]

Yep, process of elimination really. Jasper hated the spray bottle, refused a basin, but loved the shower

 

[Scott]

Thank you everyone for the feed back! I will continue to try different ways. I havent tried a spray bottle yet so that will be next. I appreciate it and will update when we both figure it out lol

A spray bottle set to the finest possible mist is a great way to start. This is the only way my female Ekkie enjoys water. Everything else is a challenge.

 

[Nicky76]

Archie doesn't mind a bath but it's not his favourite thing. As he's got loads of pin feathers he needs daily baths at the moment. I use a spray bottle and he gets a treat when I decide he's wet enough (soaking), he's much happier about the whole thing now.


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[Jottlebot]

Hi, I wonder if sound might play a part? I mention it because my Amazon showed no interest in bathing or being misted and would stand miserably in the bath or walk away from the mist. I noticed that when I was drying my hair she would try and bathe in her water bowl so I misted her with my hairdryer on in the background and she went berserk for it! Wings spread, preening while soaked, twisting her head around to get the water everywhere, she loved it. From then on we mist her with the hairdryer on for the noise!
I wonder if the sound of a hairdryer or shower (that we don't have) or a similar loud, nondescript noise mimics the sound of heavy rain and triggers some sort of bathing response?
Might be worth experimenting with this while you're trying new things?

 

[Anansi]

Hi, I wonder if sound might play a part? I mention it because my Amazon showed no interest in bathing or being misted and would stand miserably in the bath or walk away from the mist. I noticed that when I was drying my hair she would try and bathe in her water bowl so I misted her with my hairdryer on in the background and she went berserk for it! Wings spread, preening while soaked, twisting her head around to get the water everywhere, she loved it. From then on we mist her with the hairdryer on for the noise!
I wonder if the sound of a hairdryer or shower (that we don't have) or a similar loud, nondescript noise mimics the sound of heavy rain and triggers some sort of bathing response?
Might be worth experimenting with this while you're trying new things?

This is a good point. Several members I know have achieved a similar effect using a vacuum cleaner. For some birds, that auditory stimulation really gets them in the mood for a shower.