House Pet Bird Grooming Tips and Guide

Many new bird owners are surprised to find out that their new pet has nearly as many grooming needs as some more common pets, such as dogs and cats. With a bird, instead of brushing, you will be clipping wings and toenails as well as misting their feathers.

Keeping your bird’s toenails clipped isn’t as difficult as you may think. Your local vet or pet store will be willing to help you out if you’re not confident enough to do it yourself right away. It’s important to keep up toenail grooming. Your bird will get his feet caught on his cage and everything in it, risking possible injury, if this job is neglected.

Clipping your bird’s toenails will go much easier as a two person job. Items you will need include animal clippers, a towel and styptic powder. The styptic powder is used too aid in blood clotting. Household flour will work also if no styptic powder is available.

The first step is to make sure you won’t get bit during this procedure. Cover the bird’s head and body with the towel, but be certain that he is still able to breathe. Hold the bird securely while your assistant clips the hook off of the end of each nail. Clipping too far into the nail will cause bleeding. Try to keep your bird calm by speaking to him in a reassuring tone through the entire process.

Apply the styptic powder immediately if bleeding does occur. Watch him to make sure the bleeding stops. Place your bird back in his cage immediately after you have finished. He’ll be very upset and irritated at first, so give him plenty of time to calm down and relax before trying to handle him. During this time, your bird may bite you even if he’s usually very friendly.

Wing clipping has always been a controversial topic. Some argue that it is cruel and inhumane. In reality, you may be exposing your bird to more harm by not clipping his wings. Unclipped birds are constantly in danger of breaking their necks by flying into windows, glass doors and mirrors. The possibility of your bird getting out of the house presents many dangers as well. Scissors, a towel and styptic powder are the tools needed for wing clipping. You can do this job by yourself if need be.

The first step is to secure the bird with the towel with one wing left exposed. Hold the bird firmly and extend the exposed wing. Your bird will have two rows of feathers. The feathers used for flight are the long ones on the bottom of the wing. The shorter feathers on top should never be cut. There are two ways you can clip your bird’s wings, depending on the result you want. A moderate clip will allow your bird to be able to glide, whereas a severe wing clip will render the bird flightless.

A severe wing clip involves cutting the entire bottom row of feathers. A moderate clip removes all but the first two feathers. There is a permanent type of clipping, called pinioning. This procedure is more involved and should be performed only by a qualified vet.

Be careful to avoid clipping blood feathers. If you do hit one of these feathers, pull it all the way out, including the shaft. Styptic powder should then be applied to stop the bleeding. When the first wing is completed, repeat the same procedure on the other one. Your bird will be off balance if you fail to clip both wings identically.

Finally, misting your bird’s feathers is a way to help him look and feel his best. This is the process of spraying a light mist of water on the bird’s feathers to keep them looking sleek and smooth. Always use a new spray bottle to be sure it is free of toxic chemicals. This is a very enjoyable experience for most birds. Evening misting should be avoided or your bird may not have enough time to dry himself off.

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