HELP. Conure falling off perch at night!

can birds have nightmares or sleep walk? Luna (Green Cheek Conure) has become disoriented in the middle of the night, falling off her perch, flying/flapping around the bottom of her cage & tonight when I tried to take her out, flew around my room & into the wall. After about 10 minutes of cuddling she starts to respond normal to me? Has happened several times the past month! Any ideas appreciated! 🤷🏼*♀️🐦

Cumberkiss said:

can birds have nightmares or sleep walk? Luna (Green Cheek Conure) has become disoriented in the middle of the night, falling off her perch, flying/flapping around the bottom of her cage & tonight when I tried to take her out, flew around my room & into the wall. After about 10 minutes of cuddling she starts to respond normal to me? Has happened several times the past month! Any ideas appreciated! [emoji1743]*[emoji3601][emoji211]

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[I’m not an expert here.] I have heard of conures having sleep terrors, might this be that? I wouldn’t rush to take her out if she’s flying into the wall, maybe try comforting her in her cage.

Have you changed anything in her cage, the room she’s in, or her routine recently?


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I moved home to my parents house so the room she is in is darker. But it’s been 2 months and has only happened a couples of times. Should I try a nightlight?

Cumberkiss said:

I moved home to my parents house so the room she is in is darker. But it’s been 2 months and has only happened a couples of times. Should I try a nightlight?

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Yes that could help. Do you cover her cage at night?


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No. She never seemed to need it. I get up when the sun comes up and so does she.

Cumberkiss said:

No. She never seemed to need it. I get up when the sun comes up and so does she.

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Then yea, I’d try a nightlight. I’d also check to make sure nothing in the room itself is causing her to feel afraid. If possible, maybe playing low music in her bedroom might be ideal to help drown out any “new” noises from the environment that may be causing fear, too.


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Thank you! I will try that.

Yes, night light is in order.
Also covering the cage about 75% to prevent drafts.

Does sound like a night fright. Nightlights are a good option--- I would try to get one that can be dimmed if possible or at least one with a plastic shade so that it isn't super blinding (some of the LED ones are very bright and produce a flickering effect--not sure if that would irritate your bird, but it irritates me lol).

There is no chance that mice or roaches or anything could be climbing into her cage at night, is there?

Another possible safety precaution could be using a slightly smaller cage at night--- it makes it a bit harder for them to pick up as much speed if they do fly (but I am not sure on the exact dimensions that would be best)--I have read that this can work, but never tried it myself. My bird never takes off when she is startled----she just hangs on and flaps, so I have to make sure her wings don't slam into toys etc when she does.

If there are windows in the room, make sure that lights from passing traffic are not shining in---this can scare them, as can insects buzzing around or tapping the windows etc.

I have a dimmable salt lamp that I use in my room (and have used safely around my bird)--I wonder if that could also work...mine doesn't get very hot but some do, so read reviews first