Powder down birds are known for the white dust they create. If you live with one of these, you undoubtedly spend a great deal of your time cleaning. Here are 5 answers that will help you minimize the dust and its effect on you and your pet bird.

1. How can I determine which birds create the most dust? If you are asking this question before you've decided on a bird, the best thing to do is some research. Ask the breeder and other owners what their experience has been before deciding whether a specific type of bird is right for you.

Generally, the birds that create the most dust are called powder down birds and they include African Greys, Cockatoos, and Cockatiels.

2. Is it harmful to breathe? Let's talk about the effect it has on your bird first. Since their air passages are very small, it doesn't take many particulates to clog their air passages.

Causing the respiratory system not to work efficiently is often responsible for causing the onset of disease and infection. The clearer the air passages can be kept, the healthier your bird will be.

As for the people in the house, breathing large amounts of this dust forces your lungs to act as filters. And typically the birds that most often create this dust have just as long a life span as humans-some even longer.

Breathing elevated levels of particulates day after day is unhealthy even for people who have no respiratory problems. For people who are at all sensitive to the dust, it can cause acute as well as long term health issues. And in some cases there have been reports of Bird Fancier's Lung (a respiratory condition) becoming an issue.

3. Is there a way to reduce the production? Unfortunately the dust is a natural part of the bird's growth and development and so it will be around for as long as you have your bird. With that being said, you can offer a small bowl of water for your bird to bathe in several times each week, or you can install a little shower perch that will allow your bird take as much of a shower as it would like. Water will help wash away the excess dust and reduce the amount that is likely to go into the air.

4. What is the best type of bird room is best for a powder down bird? Choose surfaces that are easy to clean. Tile, linoleum, or laminate floors are easier to keep clean than are carpeted rooms and rooms with lots of rugs. opt for furniture that can be cleaned easily.

Leather, wood, or furniture that has slip covers rather than upholstered pieces will help you clean thoroughly and really eliminate most of the powder each time you clean. Blinds, shutters, and vertical blinds will all tend to let go of the dust rather than hold it in.

5. What are the best cleaning techniques? Use a damp mop and cloth to dust floors and furniture. This will remove the dust rather than sending it back into the air. Vacuuming rather than using a broom minimizes particulates that can go airborne.

And using a high efficiency particle arresting (or HEPA) air cleaner to clean the air in your bird's room 24 hours a day is a proactive and non-invasive way to keep air quality high. Constant HEPA filtration is the best way to keep particulates low thus creating the healthiest home for you and your bird.