If you’re thinking of adopting or buying a pet then there are a few things that you may want to consider before you get the animal. These things can include whether you’ll be able to give it the attention it needs, whether you’ll be able to afford it and how it may affect your house, including how it smells. If you’re wondering whether a bird will stink up your space this article gives the answer to the question of “do birds smell bad’

You’ll be glad to know that healthy birds don’t smell bad. These animals generally have a mild smell and they usually smell like their surroundings ie: their birdcage or the smell of outside. If your bird smells bad then this is likely because of bad hygiene or poor health.

Do birds smell bad?

Naturally, birds do not smell bad unless there is an underlying reason. The two most common reasons for birds smelling bad are poor hygiene and poor health.

A dirty cage cluttered with bird poop will contribute to dirty bird feathers and a nasty smell. If the bird has a foul odour even in a clean environment, take it to the vet for a complete check-up.

A big reason why you want to take care of bid odour is that it attracts predators and pests. Some bird species eject a foul (pun not intended) smelling odour from the flock as a means of self-preservation. This keeps the flock disease-free, less susceptible to pests, and more likely to evade predators. 

What does a bird smell like?

Birds are most likely to smell like the food they eat or the environment they commonly spend their time in. Because of this, you may notice the familiar smell of bird food every time you come near a pet bird.

In the wild, birds may smell of the nest-lining material they use to make their nests. Some birds do have odours that come from substances that their bodies secret to keep their feathers smooth and pest-free. How a bird smells could also be influenced by plants and other organisms that birds rub their feathers on to repel pests.

How can I make by bird smell better?

If you want to improve the smell of a bird, make sure that it is cleaned regularly, preferably twice a week. Some birds take showers in shallow water bodies, this may reduce the need to clean them often. Other birds prefer to fluff their feathers in the sand to remove pests and dirt from their feathers.

To encourage a pet bird to clean itself, pour water in a bowl and bring the bird near it. If the bird does not clean itself, you may spray it with water from a spray bottle. After spraying, gently wipe it down with a light cloth.

How do you keep a bird cage from smelling?

Birdcage hygiene improves the bird’s overall health and odour. Clean out the cage of bird poop every day. Also, line the cage with old newspapers or other materials that can catch the bird poop, this makes for easier cleaning. Any remaining poop or dirt in the cage should be cleaned out with water mixed with vinegar. Always consult with a veterinarian before using any air freshening product on bird cages because these can be harmful to the bird.

Can birds smell humans?

Birds rely more on their sight than their smell. Unlike most animals, birds’ field of vision is near 360 degrees. This makes it easier for a bird to spot a predator easily and take flight. Since birds have little need to depend on their smell, their sense of smell isn’t developed enough to smell humans. Still, some birds do use smell to identify their mate. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, healthy birds that practice good bird hygiene will not smell bad. The bird will only smell bad if it has an underlying health issue or if it is practising bad bird hygiene. Your bird will smell like the environment it is in or the food that it eats.

If you want to improve the smell of your bird make sure that it is eating well and that its cage is cleaned on a regular basis. Also if it is sick take it to the vet. Birds aren’t able to smell humans that well, their scenes of smell isn’t the best.

If you enjoyed this article then you may also be interested in other bird related articles. Here are some articles that you may be interested in: Baby bird breathing with mouth open, why and how to help, Can a bird with a broken wing survive?, Bird bleeding from the foot, why and what to do, Bird bleeding from its beak, what to do,