My Canary Has Stopped Bathing

[Leo519]

Sunny, my canary has not taken a bath in about the past 6-8 weeks.
He used to bathe with gusto whenever I provided his birdbath (3-4 times a week).
I have not changed the bath or anything (it's the square-ish PennPlax one with the see-through top portion that mounts outside the cage on the door opening).
His appetite, activity level, and appearance have not changed - I'm surprised he doesn't stink and look a mess at this point!
And he continues to belt out songs off and on from sun up til sun down.
During this time, the most he's done with his bath is perch on the edge opening and flick some water around with his beak.
Any ideas as to what could be wrong (if anything?)

[lovezebs]

Leo519

I would hazard a guess, that something startled him when he was in the bath container.
Try offering a Tupperware container at the bottom of the cage, and see what he does with it.
Also wondering if he is molting (?)

Elana

[Leo519]

lovezebs

Hmmm I wonder! If he got spooked when he was in there ..
Thanks for your idea for the Tupperware bath on the cage floor - I will give that a try.
He will be going into his molt in mid to late July.

For what it's worth, he is about 5 to 5.5 years old.
I got him in November 2011 (from PetsMart) and the year on his leg band says 2010.

[Leo519]

lovezebs

Well, your idea worked! For the past 3-4 days I switched out Sunny's birdbath for a round shallow dish that I placed on the floor of his cage and he's been splashing around in it. It's the darndest thing!

[lovezebs]

Leo519

Glad it worked out well for your boy. I'm sure he'll enjoy his new bath during the hot Summer days.

Elana