Regular grooming is an essential part of keeping your parrot healthy, safe, and comfortable. Whether it’s keeping those tiny talons from turning into mini scythes or ensuring your feathered friend doesn’t take off into a ceiling fan, a thoughtful grooming routine makes a big difference.
Nail Trimming: Small Claws, Big Impact
Parrot nails grow continuously, and while natural wear from perching on rough surfaces helps, it’s often not enough to keep them in check. Overgrown nails can become sharp, curved, and even painful for the bird—and for you.
How often?
Most parrots benefit from nail trims every 4 to 8 weeks, though some individuals may need it more or less often. If your bird’s nails are scratching you, catching on fabrics, or making it hard for them to perch properly, it’s time for a trim.
Wing Trimming: Balancing Freedom and Safety
Flight feather trims are often used to reduce the risk of household accidents. While opinions differ on trimming, many parrot caregivers choose to limit full flight for the safety of their bird—especially in environments with open doors, ceiling fans, or other hazards.
How often?
Parrots typically need their flight feathers checked and potentially trimmed every 6 to 12 weeks, depending on how quickly they molt and grow new feathers.
A proper wing trim doesn’t clip all the feathers. Usually, just the first five to seven primary feathers on each wing are gently shortened to allow for controlled gliding but discourage strong, sustained flight. Trimming too many or the wrong feathers can lead to imbalance or injury, so it’s best left to someone experienced.
Birdy Baths: Fresh, Fluffy, and Fabulous
Bathing isn’t just about cleanliness—it’s an important part of feather and skin health. Many parrots enjoy a good bath, and even those who don’t love water can benefit from a gentle, professional rinse.
At Port Orchard Parrots Plus, we offer birdy baths that include a light conditioning spray to promote feather softness and shine. After the bath, each bird is carefully towel-dried and gently blow-dried (if they tolerate it) before going home fluffy, clean, and content.
Baths can help reduce dander, minimize feather dust, and support healthy preening habits—plus, they just feel good!
We’re Here to Help
At Port Orchard Parrots Plus (with the kind assistance of our friends at The Groomery), we offer expert grooming services Tuesday through Friday, from 9am to noon. Whether your companion needs a nail trim, wing clipping, or a refreshing bath, our team is gentle, precise, and experienced with birds of all sizes and temperaments.
Appointments can be made online at https://grooming.poparrots.com or by calling us at (360) 876-6263.
Have a question or a grooming tip to share? Leave a comment below—we’d love to hear from you!
And if you’d like more care tips, updates, and parrot community happenings, subscribe to our newsletter and stay connected with everything Port Orchard Parrots Plus has to offer.