Donna Hefton
In all of my observations of psittacine bathing behavior, nothing bathes as readily as the genus Amazona. Since developing Showerbird, I have been studying and researching psittacine bathing behavior to include international rainfall data concentrating on where each particular species are indigenous. The range of parrot distribution falls between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn which is F8 north and south of the equator. In this band around the planet lie the areas where parrots have evolved. The rainfall averages in these areas range from 90 inches to 350+ inches per year. In keeping parrots in captivity we have been instructed to "occasionally mist the bird with a spray bottle". This is not sound advice in light of the amount of rainfall in which our amazons have been genetically engineered. The need of daily bathing for the psittacine is indicated by its natural environment and its "heritage".Bathing amazons is not only entertaining for us, it is one of the essential aspects of care for their health and well-being. Moisture for the skin and nasal passages is accomplished through bathing. This makes them feel better. The avian feather is superbly designed for frequent watering, allowing the design of "zipping" of the barbules to occur. In our environment the feather must deal with dirt, dust, and pollutants that accumulate in the feather, diminishing the effectiveness of the structure itself. Frequent bathing will remove the debris resulting in a more efficient preening of the feathers. A bird's plumage is its most important means of survival through camouflage, warmth, and flight. Our parrots spend a great deal of their time keeping their plumage in good order and frequent or daily bathing assists them in achieving a good preening result. In our harsh environment they can use all of the help that they can get from us.
Bathing the amazon is usually very simple as compared with the bathing of other species of psittacine. Rarely will an amazon owner encounter the difficulties in bathing their bird that the owners of African greys and others have divulged to me. For the amazon to bathe all that is necessary is that one essential ingredient...water. The enthusiasm of the amazon in water is coveted by owners of other species of parrot and these owners generally feel that there is something wrong with their bird simply because it does not exhibit the antics of the amazon during bathing. What I have discovered in my study of bird bathing behavior is that all birds bathe according to their personal preference. Some will pool bathe, others will shower. The amazon genus are not pool bathers, as a rule, and prefer a shower bath. Using clean water is the only essential ingredient necessary in getting the job done.
I personally prefer to utilize the shower/tub area to bathe my pet amazon. Placing a T-stand in the tub area gives me the perfect environment to bathe my bird. Tile walls and the bathtub allow for a big "bird mess" with the water from a flapping, enthusiastic amazon being contained in this area, reducing the need for heavy clean- up. One of the most exciting things that you can do for your amazon is to put a hook in the ceiling of the tub area and suspend a plastic chain. Placing the T-stand in close proximity to this chain will allow the amazon the option of climbing the chain during the bathing process. In their natural environment, the amazon will hang from vines and thin branches during the rains to reap the full benefit of the falling water. Utilizing the chain in the tub area allows the amazon to "fly in the rain", wetting those parts of itself that simply would not get wet in unidirectional falling water. Besides that, it's fun to watch them exhibit these natural behaviors!
The bathing of amazons is essential to their good health. Of all of the species of parrot that I have worked with, I must admit that the infrequently bathed amazon always looks the worst when compared with the others. The loss of the iridescent quality and the clumping, fraying, and splitting of the feathers is remedied by frequent bathing. Water, and plenty of it, is the component in keeping the amazon in perfect plumage. Avoid commercially prepared bathing sprays which may contain oils, fragrances, and chemicals that are unnecessary in the care and hygiene of birds. Water, as nature has intended, is the only element needed in the proper care of the feather. Parrots are natural creatures and natural methods of care should be sought. The wild cousins of our captive amazons have been doing quite well out there in their environment with nothing more than H2O to bathe in. Reminding ourselves to "keep it simple" will benefit our captive species.
The amazon as the consummate bather is always an image in the minds of their owners. Nothing else is quite like the amazon in the water. According to Eb Cravens of Hawaii who has been practicing naturalistic methods in parrot keeping, his amazons "sing in the rain." With some areas of Hawaii receiving nearly 400" of annual rainfall I suppose that his amazons sing quite a bit. The image of the wild, singing amazon bathing in the rains allows us to smile as we place our pet amazon in the tub area, turn on the water, and listen to the sounds of our birds capturing the great heritage that is the genus Amazona. There is simply nothing else like it.
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