If you venture into the wild you’ll smell nothing but crisp air and waterfalls, the trees and winds of the wilderness clean out any wild animal smells. If you’re keeping a bird or other animal in your home then you may be curious as to how the pet bird will affect the smell of your home. If you’ve ever wondered “what do birds smell like?” then this article if for you. So, whether you’re a bird lover, future bird owner or are simply curious read on.

Birds don’t really have a specific smell. You can expect these animals to smell mildly like their surroundings. If you find that your bird smells particularly strong or sour then you should take the animals to the vet, healthy birds aren’t meant to have a strong smell. In addition, you should send your bird to a vet if its poop smells bad

What do birds smell like?

Many animals in the wild know how to properly clean themselves and thus don’t have a strong odour or any odour at all. They will bathe not to smell good but rather to maintain their feathers, birds can’t smell themselves or anything very well. They bathe to loosens the dirt which helps with the smell but is not the main objective.

If you own a healthy pet bird then you are unlikely to detect the bird’s natural odour. That is because birds mostly smell like their surroundings. It may smell like its birdcage if it’s kept in captivity or the food it eats. In addition, the bird can smell like the bathing agent used on it or in its birdbath.

Why do birds smell bad?

Birds can have a bad smell for the following reasons:

• A disease or parasites on the feathers

• Poor hygiene

• Internal injury

• Poor food balance

• To charm a mate 

Besides the listed reasons, it is good to keep an eye on the bird if none of these reasons are the cause of the smell. Consult an animal care specialist to determine how to deal with the smell. 

How do I make my bird smell good?

The easiest way to ensure your bird smells good is to keep it clean by providing it with a birdbath, and cleaning its cage. If need be, clean the bird using a soft cloth dipped in water mixed with a small amount of bleach. 

Make sure the bird has a balanced diet by varying what it eats. Add fruits and berries to its diet to aid in digestion. 

Internal injury and disease can be treated by an avian vet, who will also recommend bird care tactics to avoid the recurrence of a similar problem. 

If you find that the bird smells bad because it is the season to charm another bird, you do not need to worry, the smell will disappear when the bird’s internal clock tells it that the season is over. 

Another way to make your bird smell good is to place lemon or spices in hot water near the bird’s cage. This works to “clean” the air of bad smells while creating a fresh smell that will not harm the bird. Avoid the use of artificial air fresheners with caution as they can be harmful to birds. 

Do birds fart?

A bird does not break wind because the microorganisms in its stomach or lower digestive tract are different from ours. Also, its digestive system works fast and efficiently leaving little time for gas to develop.

A bad smell from a bird may indicate a different problem altogether and it may not be coming from a fart. It could be that the bird needs to be cleaned or its birdcage may need cleaning. Smelly bird poop is also an indication of a likely disease or indigestion caused by parasites. Consult with a vet to figure out the actual cause of the smell and act accordingly. 

Why does my bird’s poop stink?

Bird poop stinks when the bird is unwell or its food is not properly balanced. Parasites or infections in the bird’s crop, stomach, or intestines may cause its poop to smell bad.

The bird may enjoy some kind of food, for example, fish or beans, however, that can result in foul (no pun intended) smelling bird poop. To remedy this, change the bird’s diet to foods that do not cause the poop to stink

Conclusion

In concussion, birds don’t have a distinct sell, these animals have a mild smell of either their surroundings, the foods that they eat or the products used to clean them, their birdcages or their birdbaths.

If your bird smells strong or has a sour smell then take it to the vet. If you want your bird to smell better then keep its birdbath clean and keep its cage clean. Your bird doesn’t fart but if your birds pop stinks this can be cause for alarm.

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: Can a bird’s broken leg heal on its own?, Hydrogen peroxide in a birdbath, helpful or harmful?,  Why do birds poop on black cars?, Do birds get constipated?