How to Groom a Bird

It is important to properly groom your bird to maintain his physical and psychological health. The frequency of grooming depends on your specific bird. Grooming includes wing clipping, nail clipping, beak filing, preening and bathing. While some of this can be done at home, consult a veterinarian if your bird's beak needs to be trimmed or if you feel uncomfortable with any grooming step.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Wing clipping scissors
• Nail clipping scissors
• Towel
• Styptic powder
• Treats

Clip a Bird's Wings

1. Clip wings after feathers are full and have grown enough to allow the bird to fly more than a few feet.

2. Clip wings after the bird molts/sheds to ensure the clipped feathers will not change due to additional growth.

3. Trim only the primary feathers, which are located at the very ends of the wings.

4. Begin at the outermost primary feather when trimming and move inward.

5. Cut primary feathers until they fall just below the covert feathers (second row of feathers). The covert feathers will overlay the primary feathers and prevent the bird from plucking at the clipped primary feathers.

Clip a Bird's Nails

6. Cover the bird with a towel to keep him calm.

7. Hold the bird's foot in your hand and use your thumb to extend each toe.

8. Clip just the tip of each nail. Cutting the quick (blood supply) will cause bleeding.

9. Apply styptic powder to the nail to stop the bleeding if the quick is cut.

File a Bird's Beak

10. Purchase tools and toys for your bird's cage that she can utilize to keep her beak healthy and trimmed.

11. Research your specific species of bird to determine what his beak should look like.

12. Inspect your bird's beak regularly for any abnormalities.

13. Visit your veterinarian for help with the filing treatment if you believe your bird's beak is overgrown.

Preen a Bird

14. Hold your bird close against your chest and lightly rub his head to help him feel comfortable.

15. Check behind your bird's neck and on her head for unpreened feathers (feathers that are sticking up or tousled) that she might not be able to reach. Your bird should be able to preen other areas herself.

16. Rub unpreened feathers lightly between your index finger to smooth them.

Bathe a Bird

17. Use plain water. While there are bird shampoos available, it is safer to only use water when bathing your bird. Soaps can strip the bird's coat of a natural oil that he uses to preen his feathers.

18. Bathe your bird during the warmest time of day to make sure she is completely dry before the weather cools at night. Birds get cold easily and can get sick if their body temperature drops.

19. Use lukewarm water for the bath. Water that is too hot can cause burns and cold water can cause your bird's body to become chilled, which is dangerous to his health.

20. Spot wash the bird. Do not allow the feathers to become soaked.

21. Pat the bird's feathers with a towel after bathing.

Tips & Warnings

• Place toys in your bird's cage that allow her to groom naturally. This is especially important for beak filing.
• Do not clip a bird's wings until he has learned to fly. Waiting until this milestone is achieved ensures the bird is fully developed.
• Reward your bird with a treat after you groom her.
• Apply styptic powder to the nails only. Using the powder on a toe will burn and could cause the bird to struggle and pull away.
• Always wear gloves when grooming your bird to prevent being scratched or bitten.
• Always clip both wings, never just one.
• Do not attempt to file your bird's beak on your own. Utilize the expertise of veterinarian. Overgrown beaks can cause abnormalities that must be addressed by a professional.
• Never completely saturate your bird's feathers. This can cause his body temperature to drop and hinder his ability to fly.