Parrots, like all birds, require regular cleaning and grooming to keep their feathers in good condition. In the wild, parrots have a few different techniques they use to keep themselves clean and hygienic. Some of these behaviors are innate, while others are learned social activities that promote bonding and health within the flock.
Preening
The main way parrots clean themselves is through preening. Preening involves using the beak to distribute beneficial oils secreted from a preen gland to coat the feathers. The preen oil helps keep the feathers flexible and waterproof. It also contains antibacterial and antifungal properties to inhibit pathogens and keep feathers clean.
To preen, a parrot will nibble and rub its feathers with its beak, spreading the preen oil and realigning any feathers that are out of place. Many parrots will also preen their mate, known as allopreening. This social behavior strengthens pair bonds while providing better preening coverage. It’s estimated parrots spend 30-50% of their waking time preening and allopreening.
When do parrots preen?
Parrots are most actively preening after bathing or getting wet. The water washes away some of the preen oil, signaling to the parrot that its feathers need re-oiling. Mornings are another prime preening period as the oils have had all night to dissipate. Parrots may also preen while nervous or bored as a displacement behavior.
Why is preening important?
Preening is essential for parrot health and hygiene for the following reasons:
- Distributes preen oil to condition feathers
- Realigns feathers for maximum insulation and flight
- Removes dirt, skin flakes, and external parasites
- Spreads beneficial microbes that inhibit pathogens
- Stimulates skin and feathers to remain in good condition
- Social bonding activity reinforces pair bonds
Bathing
In addition to preening, parrots bathe to clean their feathers. There are a few different bathing techniques parrots employ:
Water bathing
Parrots will bathe in rainwater collected in tree hollows, leaf axils, and other natural reservoirs. They may immerse themselves fully in the water before flapping their wings and preening.
Dust bathing
Parrots will find areas of dry, dusty soil and fluff and rub themselves in it. The dust absorbs excess oils and dead skin while suffocating external parasites. They may lay completely prone or rub their head and neck in it.
Sun bathing
Many parrots sun themselves to clean and dry their feathers after getting wet. They spread their wings and tails and enjoy the sun’s warmth. Sun exposure kills bacteria, fungi, and parasites while converting preen oil vitamin D for better health.
Why is bathing important?
Bathing is critical for parrot feather and skin health for the following reasons:
- Softens and removes dirt, dander, and powder down
- Removes excess oil buildup
- Washes away external parasites and pathogens
- Stimulates preening to redistribute oils
- Dries and deodorizes feathers
- Kills microbes through ultraviolet light
- Encourages thorough preening
Grooming by others
In the wild, parrots live highly social lives. One benefit of this is allopreening, where parrots groom each other. Pair bonded parrots will gently preen their mate’s head and neck areas that are hard to reach alone. This social activity reinforces bonds and keeps both birds well-groomed.
Young parrots are also groomed extensively by their parents. Parent birds carefully preen and clean every part of a chick’s body, distributing preen oil and keeping nestlings free of debris. This parental care is critical for young birds’ feather development and health.
Parasite removal
Parrots have several methods for discouraging external parasites from living in their feathers.
Preening
diligent preening helps remove external parasites like feather lice. Preen oil also contains compounds toxic or repellent to lice.
Anting
Some parrots will “ant” by rubbing crushed ants or millipedes on their feathers. The insect secretions are thought to help deter parasites and fungal infections.
Dust bathing
Dry dust baths can help suffocate and remove external parasites from feathers.
Allopreening
Social parrots have the advantage of a mate who can meticulously preen hard-to-reach areas to find any hiding parasites.
Molting
Molting, or periodically shedding old feathers, is another way parrots keep their plumage in good shape. Molting allows parrots to replace any damaged, worn, or heavily-parasitized feathers with fresh new feathers.
Molting happens once or twice a year in parrots, depending on species and habitat. It follows a predictable sequential pattern, with wing feathers being replaced first. This prevents gaps in the wings that would impair flight.
New pin feathers coming in are covered in a protective keratin sheath. As they grow, parrots break open and remove the sheath by preening or rubbing against objects. Proper conditioning of new feathers helps ensure they develop normal flexibility, strength, and function.
By replacing feathers on a regular basis, molting allows parrots to maintain the critical feather integrity needed for flying, temperature regulation, and waterproofing.
Beak maintenance
Parrots keep their beaks in peak condition through grooming activities like scraping and filing. These behaviors wear down overgrown beak edges and keep beak shape uniform. This is analogous to mammals chewing, except parrots actively file while birds like chickens just rub their beaks on items incidentally.
Parrots may use abrasive surfaces in the wild for filing, like wood or rocks. Pet parrots can be provided with concrete perches or mineral blocks for this purpose. Maintaining proper beak length and shape through filing prevents overgrowth that can impede eating and feeding young.
Claw maintenance
Parrots keep their claws, or nails, worn down in the wild by climbing and walking on abrasive surfaces. Branches and tree trunks help file down overgrown claws. For pet parrots, owners should provide natural wood perches of various sizes and textures.
Concrete or sand perches can also be used to wear down long claws. Overgrown claws can become painfully snagged or lead to walking difficulties. Providing proper surfaces for parrots to rub and file their claws helps prevent overgrowth.
Foot health
Parrots’ feet can become dirty or crusted with debris in the wild. Bathing and preening helps remove a lot of this material. Certain species of parrots, like cockatoos, are known for their meticulous foot cleaning routines.
Cockatoos preen and scratch their feet with their beak to dislodge stuck-on food, droppings, and other debris. This helps keep their sensitive feet clean and healthy. Foot injuries and infections are serious health issues for parrots, so their diligent foot care is important.
Conclusion
Parrots are fastidious birds that devote much time each day to caring for their plumage. Through behaviors like preening, dust bathing, sunning, allopreening, and anting, parrots work hard to waterproof, realign, and disinfect their feathers. These activities remove dirt, parasites, dead skin, and infectious agents. Proper molting also allows parrots to replace damaged and worn feathers with fresh new ones on a regular basis.
In addition to feather care, parrots groom and file their beaks and claws for proper maintenance. Bathing cleans feathers and feet and stimulates thorough preening. While some grooming behaviors are innate, others are socially learned activities that strengthen bonds within the flock. Overall, parrots demonstrate an intricate understanding of personal hygiene that contributes to their health and survival.
