Mine took a while to decide what he wanted. I put three different water bowls (one a designed bath, the other two just bowls) in different locations of the cage (one outside), and eventually he picked one he liked and bathes at least once a morning. He doesnt do a great job, just face, tummy, tail, but seems happy with that. Every now and then I still force a mist on him if it is very hot, but generally I let him do his thing. Parrolito was probably 3 or 4 months old when I first saw him bathe.

 

Buddy would not take a bath and hated when I sprayed him. Then I started taking him outdoors in his cage. Everytime I put his cage in the sun he would bathe. Now I purchased a full spectrum light and he bathes daily, usually in the morning.

 

My guys like a little tart dish about 3/4 inch deep and 5 inches across. They use it for drinking and for bathing. I change the water a few times a day because sometimes they wash their beaks in it. You can also weave some wet kale leaves between the bars of the cage or just lay them in the bottom of the cage. They will rub up against them and eat them too. (Take those out after 4 or five hours)

 

This Video is helpful---

http://talkparrotlets.com/showthread.php?t=8703&highlight=video+bath

 

I am still trying to get Zack to like getting a bath or sprayed, he doesn't like either one.

 

None of my Parrotlets like bathing either, and will not do it on their own. I use a spray bottle with warmish water set on the soft mist setting and spray them all over, and I also sometimes take them in the shower with me and use the closest to "mist" settign the shower head has...

They don't like either one, but let me do it without making a stink about it, so I do it anyway...!

 

I bring Chloe in the shower with me and mist her with a spray bottle. Sometimes she wants to be picked up and held directly under the shower water. It might be silly but I think her watching me under the water makes her want to be there too!

Also, she bathes in her water bowl. I only see her do it on weekends but I'm assuming she probably does it in the mornings when I'm not home during the week. Unless you're watching your p'let all the time - he might bathe without you knowing it! I don't think parrotlets are generally scared of water - mine just literally dove into her water bowl... she's extremely hyper right now!

Here's a pic of the shower set-up (a perch that doesn't leach colour would obviously be preferable!)

 

That's a very cute picture! I like the idea of taking my birds to the shower with me, but they already have their very established morning shower routines.

Direct sunlight seems to be a trigger as well, they love sunbathing when the light hits their cage directly (when I move them closer to the window).
My first bird, Bunny, didn't bathe much at first, but I started praising her when she did do it and now she does it almost daily, fully expecting me to praise her every time!

 

i like to take my birds in the shower with me even if they don't bathe at the time, becasue I use it for "extra time" to spend with them.

 

It took a long time for some of my guys to bath in their water dish. And it took even more years for them to tolerate the misting. I just kept up with it (not as much with the misting since they run away) and they got used to it and will do it as needed.

 

Toby had a dislike for the sound of running water in a sink. He despises misting. I think he has started to bathe in his water bowl. I toothbrush holder that is suction cupped ot the wall in my shower, and one day while putting away towls, i set him on it. He now showers with me every day and enjoys it. He complains if I forget =D

 

I have had Booby only to days now and i took a pyrex baking dish and put a 1/2 inch of water in it and sat him in the middle, he stayed there and let me sprinkle water on him with my fingers.. He jumped out and shook off.. he is just six weeks old and he hops on my finger 90% of the time.. Today he was really good..

 

Pistaschio's - works every time.

 

when you say itchy, do you mean he scratches himself? My fids preen themselves a lot and perhaps you are misunderstanding this for itching?
None of mine like to bathe but they have ready big dishes in their cages for the times they do want to bathe.