Water — tap vs filtered vs bottled?

What water do you give your birds? I've been using Toronto tap water (which is generally good) but now I'm second-guessing myself. Is filtered necessary? Distilled? Spring water? Am I overthinking this?

You're not overthinking it—it's a question that comes up often! The good news is that Toronto's tap water is excellent quality and perfectly safe for your birds. The city's treatment standards are rigorous, and while the water contains chlorine (or chloramine), the levels are well within safe limits for avian consumption. Many Toronto bird parents use straight tap water without any issues whatsoever.

If your bird seems sensitive to taste or isn't drinking much, a simple carbon filter (like a Brita pitcher) can remove that chlorine flavour—some birds do seem to prefer it. I'd skip distilled water for daily drinking since it lacks beneficial minerals, and there's really no need for bottled spring water given the expense and plastic waste. Whatever source you choose, freshness matters most: change it daily and give those bowls a good scrub to prevent biofilm buildup.

At Bird Sitting Toronto, we typically use filtered tap water for our feathered guests—mostly because it tastes better to us humans too!—but honestly, clean, fresh water changed daily is far more important than whether it came through a filter.

What does everyone else use? Have you noticed your birds showing a preference for one type over another, or has anyone had issues with Toronto tap specifically?

I went through this exact thing with my Hahn's macaw Ruby! It lasted about over a month and then resolved on its own. Hang in there.

You're clearly a caring bird owner — the fact you're asking for help shows that. Your bird is lucky to have you.