Heatwave: how to keep your bird cool?

Reading time: ± 1 minute

In summer, it can sometimes get quite hot. Generally speaking, psittacines can cope with slightly higher temperatures, but they do of course need a temperature at which they feel comfortable. This is approximately between 17 and 27 degrees.

How can you tell that your bird is hot?

A bird tries to cool itself by opening its beak and sticking out its tongue a little. In order to allow more air to reach the skin through the feathers, it raises its feathers. It also sometimes lets its wings hang down a bit looser along its body. If your bird seeks cooling in this way during a heatwave, help it to cool down. 

Tips for cooling your bird

    1. Do not put it in the (full) sun or ensure that it can choose for itself whether it wants to sit in the sun or in the shade.
    2. Make it wet by spraying it with a plant sprayer. Make sure you do not make it too wet and that the water is not too cold.
    3. Place a bath or hang it in the cage of smaller birds. It can then decide for itself whether it wants to cool down with water. Again, use lukewarm water and change the water regularly.
    4. Ensure that air is circulated in the room where the bird is staying. Make sure that there is no draught.
    5. Hang a moist towel over the cage and rewet it regularly.
    6. Wet the perches by putting them in water. The wet stick cools the feet.

What else must you watch out for when its hot?

    • Change the drinking water several times a day and clean the bowl thoroughly when doing so. The heat will cause micro-organisms to spread more quickly in the water.
    • Do not leave fresh fruit or vegetables in the cage. It spoils faster in warm weather and also attracts vermin such as flies.

Keep a close eye on your bird. If it cannot get rid of the heat despite all the tips, help it by putting its feet in water that is not too cold. Pouring some water over its back often helps, but do not get it soaking wet. If this does not help, ask the vet for advice.

Do you have any questions or comments following this blog? Send your question to hello@wisbroek.com. Our bird expert MR. W will be happy to help.

MR. W

Might also be fun for you…

The development of a Wisbroek recipe

Reading time: ± 4 minutes At Wisbroek we understand how important it is to meet the specific nutritional...

Power for food insects

Reading time: ± 2 minutes Insects. Many birds love them and it is a natural source of protein...

The best recipe in winter

Reading time: ± 3 minutes Summer is over, the days are getting shorter and the weather more changeable....