How much sleep does a bird need?

[Icey]

Interesting article for those who question the amount of sleep required for your feathered babies.

This article is from Pamela Clarke, who I know alot of members seek advice from.

18K views · 1.7K reactions | Clancy is settling in for a nap. How often have you heard that parrots need 10-12 hours of sleep ler night? The reason most often given for this professed need is that most parrot species originate from equatorial regions where there are roughly 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness in a 24-hour period. Further, observers of parrots in the wild report that they begin to roost for the night shortly after the sun goes down. Therefore, the argument derives that parrots must need about 10 to 12 hours of sleep a night. But, is this a logical argument? First, if you examine a map of the world with latitude lines and the equator clearly marked, you see that a good many parrot species originate from regions both above and below the equator. For example, Quaker Parakeets were originally identified in regions in Argentina which are located at 45 degrees below the equator, roughly half way between the equator and the South Pole. Second, it has been noted publicly by those who have traveled extensively and are familiar with parrots that it is neither dark nor quiet in the wild. The moon illuminates the night sky to some degree on most nights and nocturnal animals move about as well. This would seem to negate the oft-repeated advice that parrots need complete dark and quiet for restful sleep. Looking beyond the surface here, fascinating science-based information about sleep in birds can be found that informs this discussion. First, it appears that birds do not maintain active sleep for extended periods. Unlike most mammals, active sleep periods are short in birds, and in some species sleep is interrupted frequently to permit vigilance against potential predators. Further, avian sleep research has proven that all birds and some aquatic mammals like dolphins have the ability to sleep with only one half of their brain at a time. The visual systems of birds are crossed in relation to the brain halves; that is, neurons from each eye go to the opposite side of the brain. By alternating the sleeping half of the brain throughout the night, these birds can still be watching out for predators with one eye always open, while still getting the required brain rest and perhaps dreaming. Birds have evolved this sleep system for avoiding predation. This sheds significant doubt on the standard advice that they must be in a dark environment without interruptions in order to sleep well. As to sleep, all of the information above sheds doubt on the fact that all parrots must have 10-12 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night. The truth is we don’t really know how many hours of sleep each parrot species or individual needs. Perhaps it’s time to remember how much we don’t know about the parrots with whom we live. Familiarity does not necessarily bring knowledge. And it does us all a disservice to repeat unconditional, absolute, explicit statements about their needs that are based solely on thinking rooted in assumption. Further, that statement about sleep has been repeated so often that it has limited our vision. It’s a dead end to further investigation and discussion. So, what do parrots need when it comes to sleep? Getting birds’ day-night schedules on a consistent schedule is more important than the amount of sleep they receive.Whether you can give your birds nine or 12 hours of sleep each night, make sure it’s the same each night. If a bird gets eight hours one night, 12 another and 10 the following, its bio-rhythms will ‘get out of whack,’ setting it up for behavioural and health problems. However, we do know that increasing or decreasing day length seems to be a trigger for the production of reproductive hormones. New World parrots like Amazons, macaws, and Pionus often display behaviour in the spring described as “hormonal.” On the other hand, many African greys and cockatoos display this behaviour first as the days grow shorter. Given this, it may very well make sense to artificially decrease day length in an Amazon or other New World parrot in order to get egg-laying or extreme aggression under control. This is often recommended by avian veterinarians. (sources cited: Pamela Clark online) | Eddie's Flight Club

Clancy is settling in for a nap. How often have you heard that parrots need 10-12 hours of sleep ler night? The reason most often given for this professed need is that most parrot species originate...

www.facebook.com

 

[PeterNPipe]

Thanks for the article! Would be super cool if we could simulate the moonlight with phases for our friends.

 

[Clueless]

I actually heard similar to this at a seminar once.

It was cockatoos and they were wide awake at night.

So thankful I have an Amazon (they roll with the flow)

 

[Icey]

I find that even with Dolly (cockatoo) going to bed at 8pm, she is awake long after I put Frankie (macaw) to bed at 9pm.
She is often awake around 7am but just keeps herself entertained until I uncover her at 8ish.
It doesn't mention about "nap times through the day".
Neither of mine "nap", but I know other's do.
I wonder if and how this fits into the 12 hour sleep pattern.

 

[PeterNPipe]

It is odd they didnt mention much about napping. My little Green Cheeks LOVE their siesta time. They go to bed at 630pm and are up at 630am so get their 12 hours of sleep in. Sometimes the oldest is ready to get up 15 minutes or so earlier but his Lil brother is a slow waker so we wait to give him a Lil more beauty sleep. After breakfast, some playtime, a bath and preening session it is nap time! I wonder if wild green cheeks get as many Zzzs in.

 

[Icey]

It is odd they didnt mention much about napping. My little Green Cheeks LOVE their siesta time. They go to bed at 630pm and are up at 630am so get their 12 hours of sleep in. Sometimes the oldest is ready to get up 15 minutes or so earlier but his Lil brother is a slow waker so we wait to give him a Lil more beauty sleep. After breakfast, some playtime, a bath and preening session it is nap time! I wonder if wild green cheeks get as many Zzzs in.

It would be interesting to know.
I can see why birds in the wild don't get a full 12 hours, with predators around. Hence the half sleep, which is interesting.