Conures sleeping on backs???

[PaperUnicorn_]

I got scared today. I heard that conures sleep on their backs... but I just wasnt expecting it.

I am a new parent of a conure baby named Syren. she's a little too small and clumsy to put in the big bird cage I bought for her. and we'll start weaning on my next paycheck.

I keep Syren on a desk left of my bed in a clear, medium-sized Rubbermaid container. I keep it lined with towels and soft viva paper towels that I change after every feeding time; which is every 4 hours.

I stayed home from work today because of a migraine due to a medical problem I am dealing with. I laid down to take a nap in this afternoon to see if my headache would go away and woke up to a humming sound... it wasn't my phone. I looked up at Syren's "House" and saw 2 feet in the air.
I jumped out of bed so quickly and darted to the desk. I looked down at her and her chest was moving up and down at a normal speed, but her wings were stretched out and feet were clenched and completely up.
she was making small peeping noises but she was fast asleep... I felt bad because I spooked her awake when I flipped her over....

I have read a couple times that conures sleep on their backs... but she is still super young. Her feathers are growing in very quickly and she's gaining big birdie weight at a very healthy rate. I am such a proud mommy bird. But still, Is this right? should I keep her in the cage now??? I made sure she was getting air and I am worried without feathers she'll get too cold in the cage.

 

[snowflake311]

Wow that is a very young bird. Where did you get it from?

I have never had a bird that young. I dont think it is ready for a big boy cage yet. You could pokes holes in the container and add one branch see how it goes.

Good luck.

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

I've never seen Skittles sleep on his back. He does lay on his back, but mostly when he is on me or near me. Usually he just lays down his head.

I don't know how I'd react if I saw Skittles laying on the floor of his cage sleeping. They look dead when they sleep like that and I suppose its for a reason, protection but its still not something I like seeing.

 

[wrench13]

Syren is a cute little bugger. I would wait with the cage. You could of course familiarize him with it, spending some time in it every few days for 1/2 hour or so, just so it is not a surprise when you switch over. Take some pics of him sleeping on his back, that would be a cool pic.

 

[Piasa]

I wouldn't be concerned about her sleeping on her back in the tub. It's probably the most comfortable, easiest way for her since she is still young and clumsy.

Even as an adult, my green cheek Beau sleeps on his slide with feet in the air when he is in a soft area -- like when I'm snuggled up watching a movie, he'll lay on his side, lean his back against me and snooze.

 

[PaperUnicorn_]

Wow that is a very young bird. Where did you get it from?

I have never had a bird that young. I dont think it is ready for a big boy cage yet. You could pokes holes in the container and add one branch see how it goes.

Good luck.

I got Syren from a local breeder. Poor thing didn't have any feathers at all. It'll be 3 weeks tomorrow and feathers a sprouting everywhere now.
I have pleanty of experience hand feeding birds I actually worked at a pet store and grew up with a macaw that i hand fed in middle school.

This was just a shock to me because i woke up from my nap and first thing I saw was my baby upside down and feet in the air.

 

[PaperUnicorn_]

Syren is a cute little bugger. I would wait with the cage. You could of course familiarize him with it, spending some time in it every few days for 1/2 hour or so, just so it is not a surprise when you switch over. Take some pics of him sleeping on his back, that would be a cool pic.

Thank you!
And if I catch em doing it again I'll definitely take another picture.

 

[GaleriaGila]

I got the Rbird when he was 3 months old and fully weaned, and he often slept on his back. After he got his big boy feathers fully in (about 5 months), he would only do the back thing when I initiated it, and when he hit sexual maturity at about 4 years, he started not to like it and I didn't press him (do I ever?!).

 

[Auroras_Mummy]

Our GCCs sleep on their backs when they're snuggled in their sleep tent, either they'll sleep side by side on their backs or one will lay on it's tummy and the other will be back to back on top of the other very cute