Despite how full of energy they may seem all the time, parrots do need a lot of sleep.
With their curious and active nature, parrots are constantly venturing into their surroundings, playing with toys, and engaging in their natural behaviors.
So it makes sense for them to rest and recharge their energy levels with a good night’s sleep.
Sleeping is a major part of a parrot’s daily schedule. Parrots need about 10-12 hours of quality sleep. During this period, their room should remain dark, and quiet, and should have a comfortable temperature. Although parrots are diurnal, they may also take short naps during the day.
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How Many Hours Do Parrots Sleep?
The number of hours a parrot sleeps can vary based on where it originates. Most parrots come from tropical regions. These places typically have warm climates and relatively consistent day lengths throughout the year.
This means parrots from tropical regions are used to having 12 hours of darkness and 12 hours of light without much change year-round. And as such, their sleeping behaviors are largely governed by the duration of the night.
However, some species of parrots originate in temperate regions. These areas are located further away from the equator and typically experience more seasonal variations in climate, including changes in temperature, daylight hours, and weather patterns throughout the year.
Parrots native to Australia for example have adapted to live in seasonal changes. Subtropical regions like these have longer nights and shorter days during the winter and vice versa. So the parrots native to these locations can have different sleep requirements.
However, of the hundreds of parrot species, most originate in tropical and subtropical regions, and only a few come from lands distant from the equator. So it’s safe to assume that most parrots require a consistent sleeping routine.
Do Parrots Sleep Through The Night?
Parrots typically remain on their roost throughout the night but they aren’t sleeping the entire time. They may wake up a few times at night and then go back to sleep. They are also used to taking short naps during the day. However, if a parrot wakes up constantly during the night, it might be having trouble falling asleep due to disturbances.
Sleep Deprivation In Parrots
Parrots that are consistently unable to get adequate sleep can become sleep deprived. Sleep deprivation in parrots has been associated with many different behavioral problems and even certain health issues.
Behavioral Problems
Not getting enough sleep on a routine basis is one of the most common causes of behavioral problems in parrots. A parrot that is sleep-deprived might get agitated quickly and show signs of aggression.
They may become less tolerant of stressors and perceive changes as a threat more often. It’s also possible for your parrot to even develop health issues if they’re not getting adequate quality sleep.
Destructive Behaviours
Many of the self-harming behaviors in parrots are rooted in a bad sleeping schedule. Sleep deprivation can make them more stressed and frustrated, leading to increased tendencies of self-destructive behaviors like feather-plucking, excessive screaming, and even self-mutilation.
5 Tips To Put Your Parrot To Bed
Ideal Room Temperature
Extreme temperatures can make it uncomfortable for parrots to sleep. If the temperature is too hot, the parrot may become restless and pant since they do not have sweat glands. On the other hand, if it’s too cold, it may fluff up its feathers and struggle to stay warm. Parrots are most comfortable in temperatures between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Darken The Room
Parrots can find it difficult to fall asleep in a brightly lit room. In the wild, parrots are accustomed to sleeping in complete darkness. So when putting your parrot to bed, turn off all lights and draw the curtains to darken their room.
There is no need to cover your parrot’s cage as long as it is dark enough in the room. Another reason why it is important to turn off all lights is to prevent your parrot from getting scared by seeing objects in the dark.
Parrots usually wake up at night sometimes and take a look around. Objects look different in the dark which can make the parrot scared and even cause night frights.
Turning off all lights at night is important for another reason. It helps prevent your parrot from getting frightened by unfamiliar objects in the dark.
Parrots tend to wake up during the night and take a curious look around. However, in the dark, objects may appear distorted or scary to them. This can startle the parrot and even lead to night frights.
Keep The Sound To A Minimum
Parrots must be undisturbed during sleep. Parrots do not need absolute silence but sudden noises could wake them up during the night. A parrot’s sleep can be easily interrupted by small noises. This can scare them, especially in the dark when things can look different.
Keep Perches On Both Sides
If you’re not using a sleep cage for your parrot Your parrot’s perch or roosting area should be on both sides of the cage.
The reason for this is parrots can choose to sleep on either one of those depending on their preference. One day they may like the perch on the left side better while some other day they may not roost on it at all.
Maintain A Consistent Routine
Unlike us, parrots cannot keep adjusting their sleep schedule without getting sleep deprived. It is not okay that you change your parrot’s routine continuously based on when you go to sleep.
They need to have a proper sleeping schedule where you put them to bed. This is because parrots are generally averse to change and find it hard to adjust when the things around them are constantly changing.
It is also not practical to have your bird sleep at inconsistent times. For example, if you let your parrot sleep during the evening, it will not be able to get an undisturbed hour of sleep because of the general noise people make during their active time.
It is best to have them go to sleep at the same time every night and ensure their room is free of any kind of disturbance.
Can You Keep Your Parrot In Your Bedroom?
There is nothing wrong with keeping your parrot in the same bedroom as you but it is generally recommended not to. It would be great if you could have a separate room for your parrot to sleep in because that way it will not be bothered by any sudden movements or sounds.
Most of us make all sorts of movements and noises during the night that can maybe scare our parrots. Noises such as snoring or loud breathing can also disrupt a parrot’s sleep and even startle them.
How Much Sleep Do Baby Parrots Need?
Baby parrots need more sleep than adult parrots to support the development of their bodies. On average baby parrots sleep 14-16 hours a day also take long naps during the daytime as well.
Why Is My Parrot Sleeping So Much?
Sleeping more than 12 hours is not normal in parrots. If a parrot is sleeping all day, there could several reasons for it. A parrot that is sleeping too much or sleeping on the bottom of the cage may indicate underlying health conditions.
Why Is My Parrot Not Sleeping?
There could be several reasons why a parrot would not sleep. The reasons mostly lie in the parrot’s surroundings so it’s important to observe them closely.
Uncomfortable Perch Or the Sleeping Environment.
As mentioned before, a parrot needs a quiet and dark environment for a sound sleep. Without it, the parrot may not have the same level of quality sleep.
Sometimes the parrot may not like its perch or where it is positioned at. You can try switching the location of the perch from one side to the other as it may work to get the parrot to roost.
New Or Unfamiliar Environment
New birds will take some time to adjust to their new bedroom but slowly they will find adapt to their surroundings. You can help them in this phase by making them feel more secure.
Other Birds In The Cage
Some parrots may not like to share the cage with other birds. If the two birds do not get along, it may not be wise to put them in the same cage to sleep.
Health Conditions
Any kind of health problems such as respiratory disorders, digestive issues, or pain from injuries, can cause discomfort and make it difficult for parrots to roost comfortably and get proper sleep.
