Toby Takes a Bath

I don't know if Toby likes baths or not, but he always makes a big production of it. If we don't put him in the shower on a regular basis he will bathe himself in his water dish. This is very entertaining as he stands on the side of the dish and plunges his head into the water, then flings water all over the room and everything in it.

Since we don't live in a rainforest and all of our belongings don't need the drenching, we try to shower him once a week. Art puts the spiral stand into the shower, turns on the water at a medium temperature and intensity, and adds Toby. Then the fun starts.

Toby makes noises and contortions he only makes in the shower. Instead of the usual high-pitched shriek, he makes a low, guttural squawk. It almost sounds like one of his (human) brothers belching as only teenage males can do. He spreads his wings, stretching them wide then wrapping them around himself. He dances around on the perch, twisting and turning every which way. We think he's having fun, so maybe it's the tough-looking mohawk effect hairdo (feather-do?) which gives him the appearance of outrage.

(by Jan)