Getting a Parakeet in a Sink

User Question
hey! I was wondering how to get the bird to get in the sink to give it a bath? because the bird I have is really scared and i tryed it but it didnt work. and it isnt used to anything! so if u could help me i would like it. thank you! bye! write me back ok.

Lisa's Answer
Parakeets are very intelligent and know that new situations might be dangerous. So they don't go leaping into strange cages or strange sinks or trusting strange people. It takes them a while to build up trust in something, to know it won't hurt them. In that sense they're far smarter than most human toddlers are!

So the key with a sink is to get your parakeet used to it. You can't just bring your parakeet into the bathroom and have them leap into the sink without fear. That wouldn't be wise for a parakeet to do. Instead, put a small travel cage or perch or something in the bathroom, and bring the keet in there with you every day just to keep you company. They can chirp along with the water of your shower or just hang out and talk to you. Most parakeets love the sound of falling water. Have a slow stream of warm water going into the sink, but don't force the keet to go into it. Just let the keet see that it's there and safe.

Splash your own hands in the water each day, and put a parakeet bathtub next to the sink. Your parakeet hopefully already loves the bathtub and enjoys splashing in it, so the keet will start to understand that splashing water means bathtime. Fill the bathtub from that stream of water.

Then once your parakeet is VERY used to this whole situation and comfortable there, pick up the bathtub while she's in it, just holding it. She should keep splashing in it and not mind that you've picked it up. Each day, bring the bathtub slightly closer to the stream of water. Also try holding her on your finger and bringing her near the stream. Yes she'll be afraid sometimes, but sometimes she'll be curious. She sees YOU playing in that water with your hand, she sees the water going into the bathtub. Soon she'll trust that this is a fun thing and explore it herself.

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