I had a baking pan that had green bean casserole (with cheese) which I had filled up with water to soak in the sink. To my shock, my parakeet decided to take a bath in it when I wasn't looking. I rinsed him off with luke warm water and he's now dried, but that must not have been enough because his feathers looks oily looking. And smells like the food. How should I clean him up? I was worried about using any type of soap because I didn't know what that would do to him. Can someone suggest something. I feel sooooo bad for him.

What you want to do it wash him with DAWN soap. don't put it directly on him just fill the sink or a bowl with a lil bit of soapy water and if he lets you hold him then you can gently scrub his feathers with a dish cloth then rinse him off. my birds tail and butt were covered in OIL! it takes a while for it to completely come off but after a few weeks he should be clean:)

really dilute any gentle soap/ and when you wipe the bird be sure to wipe in direction of the feathers...hold the bird very gently also so as not to crush him or hinder his breathing....be as thorough as you can doing a quick wash and then a warm water rinse trying not to drown the bird lol...be sure to do this also when there is plenty of heat in the house and you leave a couple hours of dry time for the bird

just dont panic...but what a unusual way to join a forum but ya gotta luv dem birds giggle

always make sure there is nothing cooking /heating...or meals being prepared or dishes standing in sink water ...any standing water/close toilet seat cover/ and be sure ceiling fans are also off...

welcome

Thanks for all the guidance! Just got back home from the store with Dawn. I now remember those commercials about wildlife animals in oil slicks. I'll give him a bath first thing tomorrow morning; there will be more time to dry him off then. I'm hoping it will all come out this first time.

Please do let us know how the little keet is doing! Yes parakeets are wildly curious and get into all sorts of places that they should not be. It's a good idea to check all over for potential hazards before opening that cage door. Keets have ended up in toilet bowls and worse! It's a good idea to keep keet-safe cleaner on hand, in case of emergencies like this. It's good that you'll now have Dawn on hand!