Cockatiels need a dark and quiet place to sleep. They need at least 10-12 hours of uninterrupted sleep to be fresh, sociable, and form bonds with their owners. However, at times cockatiels might have difficulty in their sleep patterns or they do not sleep at all. This might be due to a couple of reasons. First, the place where the cockatiel is being placed is not quiet. Cockatiels need a quiet place to fall asleep. They prefer a peaceful environment so that their sleep doesn’t get interrupted. They need a lot of sleep to thrive and sometimes they even nap during the day.
Second, cockatiels require the right temperature to fall asleep. They mostly prefer a temperature that falls between 65-80 degrees of Fahrenheit. If the temperature falls below or above this range; they have difficulty in falling asleep. Third, they need a dark place to sleep appropriately. Moreover, a night light is good to place where the cockatiel is sleeping. This is because a cockatiel might have night terrors and it may injure itself when there is no night light. The night light helps the cockatiel to see where the flaps are lying and saves it from any bad consequences.
Do you want to know more about cockatiels’ sleep? Then, this article will surely guide you. This article will reflect on the cockatiels’ sleeping patterns, some tips, and much more. Continue reading the article to find useful information if you are struggling with your cockatiel’s sleep. So, let’s get started.
Tips for Ensuring Peaceful Sleep for Cockatiels:
Cockatiels need a peaceful environment around their space. Loud sounds scare them and they have difficulty in falling asleep. They also need a dark place to enjoy their good night’s sleep. Here are some valuable tips which can help you in ensuring a better sleep for your cockatiel.
Minimize loud sounds for your cockatiel.
Cockatiels do not accommodate well in environments having loud sounds. Loudspeakers, drilling, construction, and woofers might become a source of threat to their wellbeing. Cockatiels need a calm place to fall asleep. Otherwise, they have difficulty sleeping which might affect their health.
Finding an acrylic cage can help your cockatiel to sleep better. An acrylic cage has tiny holes that are meant for ventilation only and it helps to reduce noise levels significantly. Another possible solution is to invest in audio absorption sheets to the sides and back of the bird’s cage to reduce the noise levels.
Set up the right location for their sleep.
Cage placement is also important to ensure a night of better sleep for your cockatiel. Never put the bird’s cage near the window or an area that is a busy place of the house, for instance, television. It will affect the cockatiel’s sleep and will disturb him.
Create a cozy environment by covering their cage.
Another tip is to cover the bird’s cage and create a cozy environment for the cockatiel. However, make sure that it is not entirely dark so that the bird doesn’t injure itself. The cage cover will keep the bird calmer and will add an extra layer of insulation. Use a cage cover at night and you can remove it the next morning. Here are some tips to find the best cage cover for your cockatiel:
- Choose a breathable fabric. Breathable fabric helps to evaporate moisture away from the bird’s skin and helps to reduce sweat. Cockatiels feel comfortable in breathable fabric and enjoy a good night’s sleep. Sometimes, sleep is affected by the body temperature and it interrupts the usual sleep patterns. Therefore, it is always better to choose a breathable fabric for your cockatiel so that he can enjoy his sleep.
- Go for black fabric. Black fabric is highly recommended for the bird’s cage cover. This helps to prevent light from entering the cage and ensures a restful sleep for cockatiels. Therefore, you should choose a black fabric for the cage cover so that your cockatiel can have a peaceful and uninterrupted sleep.
- Ensure appropriate level of oxygen. Choose a cover that ensures an appropriate level of oxygen and air inside the cage. It is important to save your bird from suffocation which might disrupt his sleep. Sometimes sleep is affected by toxic elements that refrain the bird from sleeping properly. So, choose a cover that doesn’t interfere with the bird’s sleep and instead adds more to his sleeping hours.
Install an air purifier.
An air purifier is good to install in the bird’s room. It creates white noise and keeps the bird calm. You can employ it in the bird’s place especially if your cockatiel is not sleeping. Sometimes the hazardous substances inside the place disturb the cockatiel and they do not sleep any better. Installing an air purifier helps to remove chemical contaminants, pollutants, and other toxic elements from the place and aids in sleep. So, if your cockatiel is not sleeping better or has breathing issues; you can install an air purifier to ensure a peaceful sleep. However, it is imperative to use only the prescribed amount of the purifier so that your bird doesn’t fall ill.
Save your bird from night frights.
It is common for cockatiels to have night frights. This might be due to several reasons. For instance, a sudden or loud noise while they are asleep. A bright light, a shadow, a waft of cool air, any disturbance during the night might become a source of their night frights. Night frights are scary for cockatiels and add to their level of stress. Therefore, it is important to save your bird from these night frights by installing a night light.
During a night fright, cockatiels usually harm or injure themselves as they do not see where their flaps are lying. The night light helps to save the bird from this injury and even when they suffer from any night threat; they find their flaps and become calm afterward. So, install a night light around your bird’s place to ensure better sleep.
Keep an adequate temperature inside the room.
The thermal environment is the key determinant of sleep; therefore, thermoregulation is important to consider during sleeping hours. Cockatiels require a moderate temperature inside their room to attain a peaceful sleep. Cold or hot temperatures bother them and disrupt their sleep patterns. Temperatures that fall between 65-80 Fahrenheit are best to consider for your cockatiel so that it can enjoy its sleep without any disturbance.
What Happens If a Cockatiel Doesn’t Sleep Enough?
Cockatiels need 10-12 hours of sufficient sleep. However, there are times when the bird doesn’t get sufficient sleep. It might be due to loud/ noisy sounds, elements of bird distraction, or otherwise. Sufficient sleep for cockatiels is as necessary as it is for other birds. When the bird doesn’t get adequate sleep; it naps all day long and this disrupts the sleeping cycle of cockatiels. Though cockatiels like to nap for some time during the day, if the night sleep is not sufficient; it naps the whole day along which is not good for the bird in the long run.
A good night’s sleep for cockatiels is important to restore his mind and body. So, if a cockatiel doesn’t sleep enough, it affects the bird’s immune system that might also lead to cardiovascular diseases. Moreover, the bird might feel anxious or depressed and this leads to certain behavioral issues in the bird. Sufficient sleep is imperative for fostering a sense of happiness and wellness in the bird. However, it is equally important to ensure a restful environment for the bird so that it can sleep peacefully.
How Long Do Cockatiels Need to Sleep?
Cockatiels usually need 10-12 hours of sleep. The upper and lower ranges depend upon the cockatiels’ condition and age. The older cockatiels need more sleep than the younger ones. Cockatiels’ sleep is also dependent upon the season. They enjoy more sleep during winters as the days are shorter. Cockatiels are also fond of taking naps during the day even when they have sufficient sleep during the night. They usually take 2-3 naps of 15-30 minutes during the day. The number of naps and their timings might be different for your bird as they depend upon the bird’s age or condition. However, if your bird is sleeping the whole day after getting a solid good night’s sleep; visit a nearby pet to find out the relevant cause.
The common reasons for cockatiels to feel sleepy all day long usually indicates fatty liver disease, cold, or flu symptoms. Sometimes the bird’s routine or needs can also affect sleep. Therefore, it is better to figure them out at your earliest.
Can Cockatiels Sleep with Lights On?
Cockatiels sleep better with a dim or night light. This helps to save them from night frights and have a restful sleep. Dim light offers comfort to cockatiels who are highly prone to stress during the night when they see a shadow, hear loud sounds, etc. In times of extreme stress; they might injure themselves when they see darkness everywhere. Night light helps to calm them in such a situation and they can restore themselves within a short time. Therefore, a night light is better to install in the cockatiel’s room to soothe the bird during its good night’s sleep.
Should Cockatiel Cage Be Covered at Night?
Though avian experts do not consider it mandatory to cover the cockatiel’s cage at night. However, there are some benefits to doing this. First, it gives a feeling of safety to the bird. They feel more secure and less vulnerable to the night frights and darkness. Second, it reduces the noise level which can otherwise disrupt the bird’s sleep. A cage cover helps to dilute the noise and ensures a restful sleep for cockatiels. Finally, a cage cover indicates to the bird that it’s time for sleep. Covering the cage every night classically conditions the bird and it becomes familiar with it. With a cover, you can manipulate the darkness and train your cockatiel when not to sleep.
So, it is not compulsory to cover the bird’s cage at night but doing so will help to ensure a peaceful sleep for your cockatiel.
Cockatiel Sleeping Schedule:
The pet cockatiels like to sleep at night. They are mostly awake during the day just like most people. They are highly sociable birds and want to form close bonds with their owners. The sleep cycle of cockatiels varies depending upon the bird’s age and condition. However, experts recommend that it is better to train your cockatiel to sleep between 7-9 pm. Ensure a peaceful environment for their sleep so that they have a restful sleep.
Sufficient sleep is important for cockatiels to be in better physical and mental health. You should wake them up after 10-12 hours of solid sleep. Remove the bird’s cage cover during morning time. The ideal time to wake them is between 5-7 am.
Cockatiels are also fond of taking naps during the day. You can train your bird in getting 2-3 naps a day. The timing of each nap should be around 15-30 minutes and that can also vary as per your pet’s condition.
During winters some cockatiels are fond of sleeping more. So, you can adjust your bird’s timing accordingly if you find them sleepy while they are awake. For instance, if your birds fall asleep at 7 pm, then, instead of waking him up after 10-12 hours; you can add 2 more hours in his sleep. Similarly, you can adjust the nap timings during winters when days are shorter so that the bird sleeps all at once during the night.
Final Thoughts:
Sufficient sleep just like food is important for the bird’s survival. Cockatiels sleep for about 10-12 hours during the night. They even have nap timings during the day. Sometimes, they struggle in attaining a restful sleep. However, if you follow the above-given tips; you won’t have difficulty falling asleep. Create a restful sleep for your cockatiel to ensure its wellbeing.
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