Sleep and Parrots

How much sleep does a parrot need?  As we get less and less daylight will a bit more sleep hurt a parrot?

Parrots respond best to a routine and just like any of us, are happier when they are well rested.

We recommend that a parrot get 10 – 12 hours of uninterrupted sleep per night. This is in addition to the normal mid-day snooze that a bird will take. Making use of a bed time cage in a separate room or covering the cage can assist in letting the bird know that it is time to settle down. Many birds get so used to their routine that they ask to go to bed!!

The concern regarding day length should actually be asked the other way round; “as there is more and more daylight, will less sleep affect a parrot ?” One of the things that we know to be true is that day length plays a huge role in the hormonal activity of a parrot and as the day length gets longer, breeding behavior can be stimulated. It is just as important in the summer as in the winter that the bird stays on its normal routine and is put to bed even if it is still light outside.

Respectfully submitted,

Dr. Kerry Korber
Calgary Avian & Exotic Pet Clinic