Grooming your bird

Birds really know how to keep up appearances. As your pet draws her beak through her plumage, she removes the sheaths at the base of her feathers, allowing for new growth. Depending on her species, she may have a gland at the base of her tail that produces oil used to condition the plumage. Your companion delights in daily grooming, but every now and then she'll need an assistant to keep in tip-top condition.

Bird bathing is good for them

Most birds absolutely love to take baths, and yours should indulge in this pastime at least three times a week. Soap and shampoo aren't necessary, water's just fine. If you have a smaller species such as a parakeet, check out the pet supply store for a covered bird bath that fits into the cage door. Alternately, you can place a bowl filled halfway with lukewarm water on the cage floor. It's a good idea to do this right before your daily cleaning. Some larger birds enjoy taking a shower in the bathroom, or you can gently mist your pet with a spray bottle filled with warm water. Be sure to hold it about 18 inches away from your bird. If she doesn't seem to be enjoying herself, forego this method. After a bath, let your bird preen and dry in a warm room.

Nail trimming

A companion avian will usually keep her nails at a proper length by jumping from perch to perch, climbing and scratching. However, you may need to trim her claws periodically. For smaller species, use an emery board or fingernail clippers. For larger birds, you can snip off the sharp tips with toenail clippers or nail clippers for dogs. It's a good idea for less-experienced owners to ask a vet for trimming lessons. Beak trimming is rarely needed. A too-long or brittle beak can be a sign of illness that should be checked by a vet.

Wing clipping

If you have a parrot or other large social bird who requires daily exercise out of the cage, you'll need to have her wings clipped to keep her. This procedure prevents your bird from maintaining flight, but does allow her to glide on descent, if necessary. Experts recommend that you have a veterinarian perform the first trim. Your vet can then show you how to properly execute this procedure, which may be needed every 4 to 6 months. Some experts do not support wing-clipping, but do warn that birdkeepers must be extra careful that their pets do not fly into trouble-fans, hot pans, and open windows, for example.

Molting

About once a year, your bird will lose her old feathers as new ones grow in. This is known as molting, and usually lasts several weeks. You may notice your bird vigorously preening herself, but this is perfectly normal and should not be confused with the obsessive pulling and plucking of feathers associated with feather picking, a disorder that has both behavioral and medical causes. If your bird has plucked her feathers to the point of baldness, consult your veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment.