Afraid of the dark?

wrench13

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Salty has always been covered at night, with a black cloth. His summer one is not so heavy that some light leaks past it. Since we switched back over to his autum, winter one, he seems almost terrified when I pull it over the cage. The winter one is heavy black out curtain material. Is it possible he's really afraid of the dark? He conks out pretty quickly, with maybe a chirp or 2, always has. But he almost coweres against the cage bars, and bites at the cover. I;d would be horrified if he was really afraid of the dark, and no way to tell us about it. I'm thinking of putting a small night light under there with him, out side of course, with wires well away. Does anybodies bird suffer from something like this? Please.. input? I would do anything, spend anything , to make sure he is comprtable .
 

SailBoat

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Our DYH Amazon pulled the front cover over his night cage opened his first night. I would try that and see what happens.

The heavier cover can also deaden sound in addition to light and having gotten use to the Summer cover may want /need that reassurance of the World that he could better hear and see.

The primary reason we cover is to protect them from a chilling light breeze and clearly a full cover will provide it. But as stated above, it also cuts off his contact with his World. Understanding that having one side open will also greatly eliminate any light breeze.

If you are still concern, return to the lighter Summer cover that has him comfortable.
 
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Kiwibird

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I agree with Sailboat. Leave a little open to let the light in and see how he likes that.

If you or your wife are good with sewing, you can do what I did and make a custom fitted cover with a little "flap" on the front that can be rolled up while the cage remains largely covered. Kiwi has a fleece night cover year round and is fine in the winter when it completely covers his cage and also fine in the summer when the flap is open at night so he doesn't overheat. Sometimes he kind of lunges when the cover is going on, but I think that's more a case of parrot toddler syndrome where he's tired and crabby but doesn't want to go to bed.
 

GaleriaGila

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As you may know, the Rbird sleeps/wakes according to natural light (in his own palatial estate upstairs). I put a sheet over the top perch where he roosts (to shield him from headlights or whatever) but I always have a nightlight, so that he can see what's going on AND in case he has a night-fright-flap-thing, he can reassure himself and find his perch if he has fallen or jumped. He used to do that when he was young, hardly ever anymore. I think a bit of light is critical.
 
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wrench13

wrench13

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Thanks guys. I am going to leave a side up more. Its a customer cover I sewed myself ( being a bachelor for many years.. and cheap... hath its rewards sometimes.) I just felt sooo bad thinking he could be scared and not being able to express it. ANd true.. he HATES going nite nite. He will just hang out on his boing chain and look down on the world. One night I should see if he actually falls asleep up there.
 

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