Cockatiels spend a lot of time sleeping, so owners need to get acquainted with their sleeping habits. Cockatiels need a period of solid and uninterrupted sleep every night. Cockatiels that do not sleep
well can become weird and not feel good. The ability of the cockatiel to rest depends on when you turn off the lights and all the sounds and allow them to calm down.
How Much Sleep Do Cockatiels Need? Cockatiels sleep an average of 10 to 12 hours a night, while older and babies cockatiels sleep 12-14 hours a night. The amount of rest that the cockatiel needs depends on the time of year. Cocкatiel also naps during the day, but this is usually short and infrequent.
Your cockatiel will need a sleeping environment where it will feel safe and relaxed. They should not be exposed to artificial lighting at this time unless they are experiencing night frights. It would help if you usually covered their cages with a thin blanket not to leave them in complete darkness. Limit all sounds and give your cockatiel time to calm down before going to sleep.
Cockatiels sometimes know how to thrive with more or less 10-12 hours of sleep, but that’s not scary. A cockatiel can also nap during the day.
How Much Do Baby Cockatiels Sleep?
The age of the cockatiel can affect the required sleep. Baby cockatiels, for example, spend much of their time in so-called REM sleep or deep sleep. Most likely, they will rest with their eyes closed for more time, around 12-14 hours at night. This extra time is needed for it to grow and develop.
Do Older Cockatiels Sleep More?
Suppose you have an older cockatiel. Here is valid the same rule as with baby cockatiels. However, old cockatiels sleep longer than when they were young. This is because they become less active when they reach the age and spend most of their time indoors.
Do Cockatiels Sleep During The Day?
Cockatiels rarely sleep during the day. But if they fall asleep, it is usually a short-term nap to allow them to regain energy. Due to their active rhythm, cockatiels are naturally designed to be awake during the day. Therefore, if your cockatiel sleeps long during the day, then there is probably no restful sleep at night.
Do Cockatiels Take Naps?
Cockatiels can nap but not as often as other pets. This is because they usually want to be awake. Your cockatiel can sometimes nap during the day if it feels safe and comfortable. This usually happens from time to time and is short-lived, not hours. If your cockatiel often sleeps for a long time, it may mean that he is not sleeping well.
How Do Cockatiels Sleep In The Wild?
Wild cockatiels are usually awake from sunrise to sunset. After sunset, they will sleep until the following day. From the tropical regions they come from, and they have 12-14 hours of daylight. So they will sleep the remaining 10 to 12 hours.
Some cockatiels live beyond the equator. As a result, they experience longer or shorter daylight hours, depending on the season. So they sleep longer during the winter and shorter during the summer.
How Do Cockatiels Sleep In The Wild?
Cockatiels usually do not sleep with their eyes open. Instead, they sleep with one eye closed, allowing them to rest and stay awake simultaneously. This is an evolutionary adaptation that allows them to spot any danger.
Cockatiels sometimes exhibit a particular sleep behavior known as “unihemispheric sleep.” When they rest, one part of their brain is awake while the other is asleep.
This allows them to keep up with basic routines, like watching danger with one eye. Meanwhile, the other half of their brain rests and enables the cockatiel to heal, regenerate cells and enjoy the benefits of sleep.
These basic routines can sometimes be even more advanced. For example, some cockatiels use non-hemispheric sleep while flying. In this way, they migrate for long hours without pausing or falling from the sky out of exhaustion. But, have you ever wondered How do cockatiels sleep while standing? This is why.
Despite these benefits, the unihemispheric dream is not as deep as the REM dream. It still does not offer as much rest as sleeping with their eyes closed. When the cockatiel feels completely safe, he uses that chance to sleep with his eyes closed.
Why Is My Cockatiel Sleeping So Much?
Your cockatiel may seem to be constantly asleep. But in most cases, it is roosting. Cockatiels engage in “roosting” just before bedtime. This can be described as a way to get into a sleeping position and find comfort before the final nap.
During this time, the cockatiel will engage in behaviors such as preening or socializing. In addition, cockatiels can become more expressive and louder at bedtime. All this is a natural part of the bedtime ritual.
In a given sleep period of 10-12 hours, your cockatiel can sleep only 8 hours. If you seem to sleep longer, pay attention to how it calms down before bed. Your cockatiel can rest for a much shorter time.
Why Isn’t My Cockatiel Sleeping?
If you notice that your cockatiel is awake at night, it may be having trouble sleeping. This can be caused by:
1. Poor Sleep Setting
Cockatiels like to sleep in quiet, dark, and warm places. Therefore, failure to provide a proper sleeping environment can result in your cockatiel becoming sleep-deprived.
2. Moving to a New Owner
Some cockatiels have difficulty sleeping when you first bring them home. They will be on edge after moving to a new setting and will be in a state of high alert. In time, the cockatiel will settle into its new home and begin to sleep correctly.
3. Incompatible Cage Mate
Some cockatiels find it difficult to sleep when they are housed with a bird they disagree with. This usually happens when you introduce a new bird into the cage. Still, it takes time for them to learn to agree.
4. Illness
Cockatiels are good at hiding when they are not feeling well. However, you can collect early warning signs and that:
- Diet
- Sleep habits
- Activity level
If you suspect that your cockatiel is sick, it is best to immediately take it to the vet.
5. Irregular Bedtime
If your cockatiel stays awake for odd hours, it will struggle to fall asleep. Even if you go to bed at 8 pm one night and at midnight the next night, your cockatiel might be unable to sleep. So instead, your cockatiel will fall asleep only when you are tired.
Maintain a consistent sleep time for your cockatiel. You need to put it in a cage every night simultaneously and let it wind down. If you learn the cockatiels, they will return to their cage at the same time. Encourage this and let the cockatiel cool for about 30-60 minutes before going to bed.
Cockatiels need 10-12 hours of sleep a night and never sleep with your cockatiel for safety reasons. With a consistent sleep time, no distractions, and a semi-dark environment, healthy cockatiels will enjoy a good night’s rest.
