It’s time for another parrot 101 session. Even as a kid, when I see a bird, I have this lingering thought in my mind. How do they sleep? Do they even sleep? There are tons of curious questions that need answers. And I had to wait long years to find the answers to the mysteries.
This time, we ought to tackle the sleeping habits of our favorite bird, none other than a parrot. Yes, parrots do sleep. They need lots of it.
How many hours of sleep a parrot need?
Parrots are very active creatures. They spend a lot of energy doing all sorts of things. For them to keep in top shape, they need to recharge. Parrots need at least 10 to 12 hours of sleep.
If they don’t get enough sleep, you can notice a grumpy attitude, and they are irritable. Their sleeping habit is not because they are spoiled. It is due to their natural habitat. In the wild, most of the parrot’s population can be found near the equator. In that area, darkness lasts for 12 hours.
What happens when they lack sleep?
If your parrot is sleep deprived, it can cause some health problems. There are symptoms that you can check if your pet is not getting enough sleep. Check out these behaviors.
Feather Plucking – This is a dangerous behavior to develop. It will start with simple biting, but it can turn sideways if your pet starts to mutilate themselves. It is a behavior that will be hard to stop once it starts.
It is associated with different causes. One of those is if you are not letting the birds sleep properly. Feather plucking will lower the immune system of the parrots. That being said, they will be subject to different infections.
Over Screaming – We humans have the same tendency. If we did not get enough sleep, irritability kicks in. Parrots can feel the same way. Not enough rest will trigger over screaming. It means they easily get irritated with something.
Aggression – If screaming is not enough, and your pet is really in a foul mood, it will reach a certain point of aggression. Their grumpy attitude will turn into biting and pouncing.
Fear – Even if it is not visible. Birds can feel fear too. If they are suffering from sleep deprivation, they will act anxiously. As a result, their interaction will lessen, and their playful attitude will fade.
Ways to give your parrots a good sleep
If you notice that your birds are experiencing the symptoms of sleep deprivation, do something. It is better to have the issue under control than treating it when it gets out of hand. Here are some tips on how you can give your pets a good night’s sleep.
Sleep Cage
If your parrot is easily distracted by the surrounding, the best solution is to get a sleep cage. It looks like a typical cage but a little smaller. It’s because the sole purpose of this is to keep your bird away from distractions.
Once you have it, place it in a dark room. Make sure no noise or light that can alter their sleep. Don’t worry; you are not going to keep them there forever. During the daytime, it will be back on its normal cage.
Cage Cover
You can get a cage cover for your pets. The moment you put the cover in, it will be an indication for your pet that it is time for sleep. This is helpful if their cage is placed in an area where you cannot turn off the lights. You can also use some towels or blankets to keep any light from reaching your pet.
Light Adjustment
It is simple. You just need to keep the room dark for an extra couple of hours. You must remember that parrots strive in tropical regions. In these places, they used to get 12 hours of darkness. Be a little lenient and understanding. They are used to that kind of habitat, and sudden changes are not going to be a good thing.
The danger of sleep deprivation
Letting your birds wake up early most of the time can cause a more pressing problem. Light, whether it is sunlight or artificial light, can make your parrot feel that they are ready for reproduction. Won’t that be a good thing? No, not necessarily.
Parrots experiencing a lack of sleep are susceptible to diseases. Their immune system is weak. In that case, they are not ready to lay eggs. Also, breeding your parrot comes with a lot of concern. Inexperienced pet owners are not recommended to supervise the egg-laying period. It’s because there can be a lot of complications.
Exposing them to daylight continuously can trigger non-stop egg production. This is bad, as their bodies will not be able to take it. If you say that there is nothing to worry about because your parrot doesn’t have a mate, then you’re in for a surprise. A female parrot can lay eggs thinking that their mate is their person or an inanimate object.
How do parrots sleep?
You may think that they sleep bizarrely. Parrots tend to sleep in a standing position but on one leg up. Stop raising your eyebrows. Their legs are built to withstand any cramps that might be in your mind.
Do you think sleeping in one foot is bizarre? Hear this out. Some parrot species sleeps upside down. These are the ones you usually find in the Asian Region. However, not all parrots that are on an upside-down position is up for a nap. Sometimes, they just want to chill with their flock or play with their toys.
Signs that your parrot is sleepy
We are talking about their lack of sleep, and there are times when we don’t notice that our little pets already want to doze off. Here are some signs when you need to leave them alone for a peaceful sleep.
They move to the perch where they are comfortable to sleep. Like some people, birds can also have their favorite spots. An area where they feel it is safe to sleep. Once they move to that corner, give them space, and don’t bother them.
Look at their eyes. Parrots also experience heavy eyelids when feeling sleepy. The only thing is, they sleep with one eye shut and one eye open. This is a habit they have developed as a survival instinct. Parrots are small and usually preyed upon by bigger animals. Even if they sleep, their senses are still alert for any danger.
If your parrot looks bloated, it is a sign that they are about to sleep. It’s because their feathers are already relaxed, and since they are on a squatting position, it will look like they gained an extra pound.
Sleepaway
There are all the things you need to know about their sleeping habits. Check your parrots and see if they are showing signs that they lack a good sleep. Surely, you can use a trick or two with your pets now and see how effective would it be.
Remember that your parrots need good sleep to stay healthy. Don’t let these beautiful birds suffer from sleep deprivation.
