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Even after a bird is stabilized, it needs to be kept as calm as possible. Since wild birds do not like physical contact with humans, they will experience some stress no matter what. You can help them not panic more, though, by being gentle and deliberate in your actions. Distressed birds require calming before washing. They may go up to 5 days prior to a bath if it helps them rest and get to a point where they are more likely to survive the stressful washing process. Do not expect to wash any birds at night. After-dark washing adds markedly to their stress, as it disrupts their circadian rhythm. A vet or trained professional needs to check to see if the bird is progressing properly by looking for signs including stabilization, responsiveness to medical treatments, proper weight gain, and normal behavior. This is part of the reason you should not wash a bird on your own. Once the veterinary team has determined that the bird is capable of withstanding the washing process, you can get yourself ready to wash. Come dressed in waterproof clothes including long rubber or latex gloves, chemical resistant eye shields, a plastic apron, and waterproof boots. Come prepared to get wet. You may be inadvertently injured by a panicking bird, and you need to avoid contaminating the bird or yourself. This is why it is crucial to come in proper protective gear. The rescue organization will likely provide you with some gear. Expect to work as part of a team. Expect to work with at least one other person, if not more. At least one of you will be tasked with keeping the bird in place and as calm as possible while the other scrubs. The bigger the bird, the more hands you'll need. You will be moving the bird through several tubs of warm water during the washing process. Set these out and fill them before you bring out the bird. They should be filled with a solution of 1% dishwashing liquid in water to create a gentle washing solution. Remember that the tubs need to be large enough for the bird to fit in with a little extra room to get hands in there, too. The warmth of the water should be comparable to the bird's internal body temperature. In birds, body temperature will range from about 103F/39.5C to 105F/40.5C.
Keep the bird calm prior to washing. Get your space ready to wash birds. Prepare your workspace with tubs and soap.