What causes a stinky bird?

[d_msparkles]

NOT ABOUT FARTS.

I've noticed since Waffle started puberty she is 1) bathing less and 2) not smelling very good.
When she was a baby, she had a pleasant, grain-type smell. Now I always say she smells like a stinky Cheeto. Yesterday she climbed up on my sweetie and he said, "Ugh, she smells like butt!"

I put her in the shower today, which she does enjoy. But I can't figure out what would make a domestic bird stinky? I'm just generally curious as I know she is not the only stinky bird out there (ahem, @Peachfaced). They don't sweat, right? Is it the oil in their preening glands? Her poo has sort of a sweet smell and it's definitely not that.

 

[Ripshod]

I don't recall any of my birds having a bad smell, other than one case of sour crop. The only smell that ever followed the rest of the time was the smell of their last meal, again coming from the crop.

 

[Tiel Feathers]

My birds don’t have a bad smell either, just the regular cockatiel smell that I like. Unless she ate something, or got into something that rubbed off on her, I would take her in for a check up. You can try putting apple cider vinegar into her water and see if that helps.

 

[d_msparkles]

She took a shower today and smelled better afterward. I feel like if she were sick, that wouldn't be the case?

 

[Sylvester]

Birds should not be smelly, especially like "butt"

 

[Farlie]

Farlie smells pretty good to me. After a shower he smells like a wet bird. If he's just been eating, he has bird food breath. (Conuretosis)

 

[cassiesdad]

Wet Milton smells like Wet Milton...the only other time he smells like anything else is when he gets food all over his beak...