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Can birds see in the dark?

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Agapornis

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OK this may be dumb question...but when I put Fiji, my little GCC to bed at night, I worry that its so dark he wont be able to see his food, water, etc! I cover his cage with a sheet, and all the lights are turned off. But then I lay in bed and think of him floundering around at the bottom of his cage, not able to see where he is or be able to climb up to a perch...so my question is, can birds see in the dark??? :confused:

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Over-Protective Bird Momma :o:
 

Milo

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I'm sure he's able to find everything he needs to in the night :) If it seems like a problem or you hear him moving about too much maybe a night light is in order?
 

Lady Jane

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Birds do not naturally eat at night. I take all foods out of the cage at night and freshen it in the morning. They hunker down for safety in the dark. This is a good question. I notice my bird has trouble finding my step up finger in the dark. She will also fall from a perch if startled in the dark. I think their vision is limited to poor in the dark. What do others think?
 

Agapornis

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Well, he calls out to me (he hates to be in his cage, he wants to be attached to me 24/7!) then he settles down after about 15 minutes. He would sleep in bed with me, if i let him! :eek:

That Night Vision topic was very interesting! Maybe i'll leave a nightlight on for him...

As always, I appreciate all your birdy knowledge!

Lorinda
 

DQTimnehs

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I leave 2 night lights on (in case 1 burns out) and don't cover their cages. The room is otherwise dark from the blinds and curtains and warm from the heater, so no drafts. But I don't think they see very well at all. If I go in with the lights out, they are nervous. Quack has fallen off her perches more than a time or two and often ends up on a different one for the rest of the night. Cockatiels are known to have night frights but I think it helps for any bird to have a night light.
 

Agapornis

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Thanks, DQTimneh, I will get a nightlight. The thought of my little boy falling off a perch in the middle of the night is so scary! :eek:
 

karen256

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They can't see in the dark- their night vision seems to be slightly worse than ours. But they normally sleep through the night like us and do not climb around or eat. It's a good idea to dim the lights or cover the cage a minute or two before turning the lights out completely. This will let him know that it's time to settle in, and he won't be struggling to find his sleeping spot in the dark.
 
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