Are they sleeping?

FeatheredMom · Apr 20, 2018

Hi!
How do I know if my cockatiels are sleeping?
I always cover the cage and make sure it's dark when it's bedtime. They don't make any noise and they seem to be asleep.
But I check them out a few times very quietly and I notice that they are awake, just sitting in silence.

This might seem stupid but what if they're not sleeping? This is their third week here in my house btw.

Squeekmouse · Apr 20, 2018

I used to wonder the same thing about my Yoda. I am certain he sleeps though, as I'm sure yours sleep. It's likely that our birds wake up when we are moving around nearby, or at least wake up when you uncover the cage. I've also read that birds don't necessarily sleep the whole "night" through, sometimes they just sit and rest while sleeping on and off.

FeatheredMom · Apr 20, 2018

Squeekmouse said:
I used to wonder the same thing about my Yoda. I am certain he sleeps though, as I'm sure yours sleep. It's likely that our birds wake up when we are moving around nearby, or at least wake up when you uncover the cage. I've also read that birds don't necessarily sleep the whole "night" through, sometimes they just sit and rest while sleeping on and off.

That makes sense

I thought they were too scared to even sleep or something because I've heard that 'tiels tuck their heads into their wings/behind their back when they sleep.

T00tsyd · Apr 20, 2018

I bet they are too bright to be caught on the hop with heads under wings and dead to the world asleep. It's probably the wrong thing to call it but I suspect they 'cat nap'!

itzjbean · Apr 20, 2018

As prey animals birds are usually always very alert to any noise around them as they rest. They will give indicators of being tired and readying for sleep. They often will have a favorite perch/spot they go to. They'll start grinding their beak (a sign of contentment/relaxation) and yes they will often tuck their heads into their back feathers but not always.

GaleriaGila · Apr 20, 2018

I'm agreeing with the above.

I'm also smiling as I imagine you trying to sneak peeks at them.

Inger · Apr 20, 2018

I never catch Bumble sleeping at night either, but she naps during the day so I know she isn’t awake 23/7.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

AmyMyBlueFront · Apr 20, 2018

At night BB's house gets covered. He and Amy live in my living room. I make sure they both get covered with a sheet/blanket that won't let light in,as I watch tv ( very low volumn) sometimes.
There are times I have gotten up to go to the kitchen or bathroom,and even though I think I'm being super quiet at this,I do hear on occasion little Beebers let out a "peep"..is his hearing THAT good...or is the little guy just resting up?

And even tho he has all sorts of perches to sit on...when he goes nite nite he is either inside his tidy bowl feeder or sitting on food bowl retaining holder thingie..goofy boy

Jim

FeatheredMom · Apr 20, 2018

GaleriaGila said:
I'm agreeing with the above.

I'm also smiling as I imagine you trying to sneak peeks at them.

Lol you have to see me when I sneak around the cage and lift the cover very slowly with the funniest face ever

FeatheredMom · Apr 20, 2018

AmyMyBlueFront said:
At night BB's house gets covered. He and Amy live in my living room. I make sure they both get covered with a sheet/blanket that won't let light in,as I watch tv ( very low volumn) sometimes.
There are times I have gotten up to go to the kitchen or bathroom,and even though I think I'm being super quiet at this,I do hear on occasion little Beebers let out a "peep"..is his hearing THAT good...or is the little guy just resting up?
And even tho he has all sorts of perches to sit on...when he goes nite nite he is either inside his tidy bowl feeder or sitting on food bowl retaining holder thingie..goofy boy

Jim

OMG! Your bird does that too?!
Tiel always sits on the food bowl when it's bedtime, and now even Cocka does that sometimes.
And I also hear their beak sounds or feet or... Whatever was that, sometimes.

FeatheredMom · Apr 20, 2018

T00tsyd said:
I bet they are too bright to be caught on the hop with heads under wings and dead to the world asleep. It's probably the wrong thing to call it but I suspect they 'cat nap'!

I would die to catch them asleep once

Kiwibird · Apr 20, 2018

Most parrots are pretty light sleepers. They may well be asleep until you peek in on them. Once they're more comfortable, it is likely you'll see them napping during the day but very unlikely you'll ever just be able to peek under their nighttime covers without waking them. Instinctively, there are too many predators out at night to not wake up at the slightest disturbance.

FeatheredMom · Apr 20, 2018

itzjbean said:
As prey animals birds are usually always very alert to any noise around them as they rest. They will give indicators of being tired and readying for sleep. They often will have a favorite perch/spot they go to. They'll start grinding their beak (a sign of contentment/relaxation) and yes they will often tuck their heads into their back feathers but not always.

Thank you so much for the useful information!! So grateful for the nice people here ❤

FeatheredMom · Apr 20, 2018

Kiwibird said:
Most parrots are pretty light sleepers. They may well be asleep until you peek in on them. Once they're more comfortable, it is likely you'll see them napping during the day but very unlikely you'll ever just be able to peek under their nighttime covers without waking them. Instinctively, there are too many predators out at night to not wake up at the slightest disturbance.

Wow...
I never knew they could be such light sleepers! I expected them to feel a little safer and more comfortable with me now since this is their third week here but oh well

Thank you so much for your time!

Sunnyclover · Apr 20, 2018

Ollie doesn't move at night and stays in the same place for like 10 hours straight. Finley on the other hand moves what seems like every 5 seconds at night. I know this because I have had a camera on both of them at night before.

Squeekmouse · Apr 20, 2018

I've seen Yoda sleeping on his perch or on my shoulder, but I never catch him sleeping in the cage. He wakes up when I approach. I think he has some kind of radar detection when it comes to me.

My favorite thing is when he crawls into my hair and falls asleep against my neck. :04::04::04::04:

Are they sleeping?

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traumatized cockatiels

Let's talk about our 'tiels

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