LOL yes there were dozens at that time... Now I got them (almost) all packed and stacked in the shed

I have been obsessed with building a shower/water feature for years now.
I thought ok this time I am gonna make it, in the new room.
Put together an aquarium pump, pipes, a bottle full of holes and voila'




Problem was: THE BIRDS HATED IT!!! They are afraid of it and the nearest they go to it is on the top of the bottle to sit and poo.

So I thought OK, that water box is too big, maybe if I use a smaller one it will work




As you can see, smaller water tank, and still only Mr Darcy goes near it and just poos in the water below.

OK, then maybe it's too low... they are so chickeny they won't go near things that aren't located above 5.3".

I moved it all on a tall bookshelf. It didn't work. I don't even have a picture of it, I am so offended with them!

The only thing I can think is: they are afraid of going below the bottle. This means that I will have to eliminate the bottle and use directly a tube with little holes in it.
If THAT doesn't work, I've pretty much exhausted all my ideas about the bird shower.

I swear to you, I had more than once the temptation to grab one random bird and get him under the sprays until he was soaked

Hmm, how long did you have it for? If it's less than a week, then I don't think you should update on it just yet. Some birds take months to adjust to their new home. So surely, they aren't going to jump right in.

What i have earned from my birds is that if you want them to take a bath, it will never work. I saw Marshmallow trying to take a bath on a puddle from the rain, so I brought a shower bowl and she refused. She got a little scared because it was a random object.

I actually made her step up and tried to make her touch the water, but she didn't want it.

Also, birds aren't ways going to be in a mood to bath. They just randomly feel the need at some parts of the day. I actually heard a recommendation of playing thunderstorms for the birds so they could get in the mood. But before we try that step, let's get them use to it. Since Mr. Darcy is more used to it than anyone else, we will work with him. Make him step up and slowly approach him to the water (best results when they are thirsty) he will then take many sips out of bathing sake then go inside and bath.

Baruch, you are so right! I didn't take into consideration how long it takes for them to accept new things, especially one as big as the shower.
Thank you for reminding me. I have so little patience, I tend to forget that birds are not quick at accepting changes

Since I saw this video




I have been obsessed with trying to find a way to recreate that "fountain".

I took it away out of sheer exasperation, I will put it back tomorrow morning and let it run for as long as it takes.
Do you think that maybe removing the bottle and replacing it with a pipe would make it less scary?

I think the more things you introduce, the more untrusting the'll be to the new item(s).

I want to know how many birds she has! I didn't watch more than 4 minutes of the video and I saw a parakeet, a sun conure, and like 20 cockatiels! (Probably exagerating a bit )

Thanks so much for that video...now I want to update my aviary

I want a bathing fountain!!

Yes! Making it a pipe will be much less scary, especially since the wile fountain is basically made out of pipes. It won't be noticeable. I would definitely make the switch.

New thread on aviary ideas, here we go...

Question, how did you make the fountain?

We have something in common I am the same way! I think everyone is the same way. My birds have never liked the bathing bowl, I have always just wanted to dip them in
But with time, they enjoy it!!

I replied on your aviary thread. If you need detailed instructions, I can write them down for you.

Thank you so much Barbra!! My birds will love you!

I saw a video on youtube once of a parakeet taking a shower. It involved plastic tubing with holes in it. Best I could tell the tubing went under where the bird was, and the water came up in a half a dozen gentle streams. The budgie loved it!

I wish I could find the video again.

If you can figure out how to do it, I'd love to see. I'd love to have one for my birds.