No doubt, parakeets or budgies make great pets, especially if you are a fervent bird-lover.
These adorable birds belong to the larger parrot family and just like their counterparts, they are naturally playful and affectionate.
If you are looking for a bird that will entertain you and give you good companionship, then look no further.
However, like any other pet bird, you must be able to meet the needs of your pet for it to enjoy a comfortable and healthy life. One of the most essential needs is sleep.
In case you didn’t know, parakeets do sleep at night or as soon as dark hours set in for 9-12 hours. They require an environment that is well-ventilated and comfortable for a good night’s sleep.
Here are a few answers that can help you find a way to make your parakeet sleep peacefully through the night.
Do parakeets need quiet to sleep?
Yes, they do. As much as parakeets are boisterous, noisy birds, they prefer dark, quiet, and peaceful environments to enjoy a good night’s sleep. Your pet bird will have a hard time sleeping if you place his cage in a noisy room.
If you notice that your bird is squawking and chirping during the night, then it is probably due to the noise, and it is high time you considered moving it to a quieter room.
Why won’t my parakeet sleep at night?
Your parakeet should not have any problem sleeping at night as long as it has a comfortable perch in a wide and spacious cage.
Like humans, parakeets require a dark, quiet, and peaceful environment to enjoy a good night’s sleep. If your budgie is not sleeping at night, then their cage is probably lacking these essential requirements.
Here are possible reasons why your parakeet won’t sleep at night:
- Noise
Even though parakeets are among the most vocal and noisiest birds, they prefer a peaceful and quiet environment when bedtime arrives.
Any form of noise, especially at night, will make them uncomfortable and hinder their sleep.
It is therefore not surprising that some bird owners residing in noisy neighborhoods usually invest in earplugs for their budgies.
- Excess heat or cold
Temperature changes can also prevent your parakeet from sleeping.
If the room is excessively hot or cold, then your pet bird will have a difficult time falling asleep. The ideal temperature range should be 70-80°F.
Check Are Birds Warm-Blooded Creatures?
- Anxiety
If your parakeet is not sleeping well through the night, then they are probably scared or nervous.
Parakeets are curious birds and they can get anxious at the slightest provocation. Considering this, check for any foreign items in the room or cage and remove them immediately.
- Light
Like most pet birds, parakeets sleep well in dim light. Any form of bright light will confuse them that it is daytime and eventually disrupt their sleep.
With this in mind, you should invest in dim lighting fixtures and a suitable bird cage cover to help your parakeet sleep at night.
Why is my parakeet chirping at night?
Chirping is one of the signs that your bird is happy and joyful. This is particularly true if your budgie does this during the day. Chirping is a way of communicating to you and expressing their feelings.
However, if your parakeet is chirping at night instead of sleeping then there must be something amiss. Excess light or noise could be making your parakeet to chirp at night.
Parakeets also chirp to warn their counterparts of looming danger.
If you have a male parakeet, he could be chirping at night because it’s mating season and he’s looking for a mate.
Other than seeking your attention, chirping at night may also be a sign that your parakeet is not feeling well. If the chirping persists for a couple of nights, visit your vet as soon as possible.
You may want to check Bird Bath for Budgies.
How to help my parakeet sleep?
A parakeet should sleep for between 9 and 12 hours every night. Some budgies also sleep for a few hours during the day as long as the environment is ideal for a quick nap.
If your parakeet is having a difficult time sleeping, you should check whether their cage or room meets the minimum requirements for a good rest. Here are a few tips on how to help your parakeet sleep.
- Cover the cage
Parakeets fall asleep easily in darkness. With this in mind, you should cover the cage with a light blanket or special cage cover to help keep the environment dark and block out some noise.
However, make sure the cage is not too dark since some parakeets are afraid of complete darkness. Check more on this at Do Parakeets Sleep With Their Eyes Open?
- Declutter the cage
If your bedroom is untidy, you will have a hard time falling asleep. The same applies to pet birds.
If their cage or room is cluttered and unkempt, your budgie may not fall asleep easily. Make sure you keep the cage tidy all the time.
- Turn down the music
We all know how parakeets love to sing, whistle, and make noise. Despite their noisy nature, parakeets prefer to sleep in quiet environments.
Even though some budgies can sleep through the night with smooth background music, most of them cannot sleep with any form of noise.
- Check the temperature
Temperature changes can disrupt your bird’s sleeping patterns. The room where your bird sleeps should not be too cold or too hot.
Considering this, you should check the temperature to ensure your pet is not feeling uncomfortable. As earlier discussed, the ideal room temperature should be between 70-80°F.
- Buy comfortable sleeping equipment
You should equip your pet’s cage with at least two comfortable perches. Make sure that both perches are not made from sand or concrete as these may harm the bird’s feet.
You can also buy a sleeping bed or hut but this depends on what your budgie likes most.
How do I keep my parakeet quiet at night?
Even though parakeets are noisy by nature, they rarely make noise at night. Parakeets will only become noisy at night if they are scared, distracted, sickly, or something is preventing them from keeping calm.
They are also light sleepers, meaning any slight disturbance will keep them awake. Here are a few tips to help keep your parakeet quiet at night.
- Regulate artificial light
Artificial light may trigger your pet’s hormonal activities and cause them to become extremely noisy at night. Regulating the amount of light your parakeet receives may help keep him calm at night.
- Keep distractions at bay
Talking loudly, playing with kids or other pets, watching the TV, or listening to loud music are all distractions that will disrupt your bird’s sleep cycle and trigger them to make noise at night.
You should be considerate by avoiding all these activities when your pet bird is about to sleep.
- Meet your bird’s sleep requirements
Ensure your bird’s cage is in a slightly dark room, away from noise and distractions. Also, make sure that all air conditioners or fans are not blowing toward the cage.
How do I get my parakeet to shut up?
Dealing with a noisy parakeet can be a pain in the neck, especially if you don’t know where to start. Here are some tips that can help you get your parakeet to shut up.
- Toys
Parakeets are not only vocal but also playful. Buying your birds a few toys will go a long way to help keep them calm and entertained.
Toys stimulate the brain appropriately and they will help your pet to remain calm and have a better sleep at night.
- Timeouts
If you have several budgies in one large cage, some of them may not be happy with the arrangement.
They may choose to be noisy and uncontrollable due to the discomfort or because of other behavioral issues.
If this is the case, give the stubborn bird a timeout by relocating it to a different cage for a few hours. Make sure the new cage has adequate food and water.
| Additional reading: Do Parakeets Eat Bugs?
- Companion
Parakeets are social birds that thrive on interactions. If your pet birds won’t shut up, they are probably seeking your attention.
Bringing another budgie home can help keep everyone happy and calmer.
- Calming supplements
If all the above options fail, consider buying calming supplements for birds. Supplements like AviCalm contain soothing ingredients that can help your pet parakeet to relax and stay calm.
Why does my budgie fall asleep when I talk to him?
Your parakeet may fall asleep when you talk to him because of several reasons, including:
- The bird is extremely exhausted from the day’s activities
- The bird is feeling a sense of safety and comfort around you
- The sound of your voice is soothing
- The bird is feeling unwell and requires urgent medical attention
Do parakeets need a bed?
It’s true that parakeets like to snuggle and lay down on soft surfaces. However, this does not mean that they need a bed to sleep in.
Parakeets sleep while standing on one leg, with their head tucked into the feathers around their neck.
What time should parakeets go to bed?
Pet parakeets should go to bed from dusk to dawn just like their wild counterparts. Ideally, your pet bird should sleep for 9-12 hours every day.
However, some parakeets may sleep earlier than expected during days when dark hours set in early.
Parakeets are somewhat unique, and some budgies prefer to take a nap during the day if they are well fed and hydrated.
How long does it take a parakeet to adjust to a new home?
Bringing a new budgie home might be the most exciting experience for any bird lover. However, the excitement only lasts until you find out that your parakeet needs time to adjust to their new home.
The good news is that this won’t take long. Parakeets have high adaptability and they only need about 3 days to adjust to their new surroundings.
There are a few tips to help your budgie get used to the new home quicker. Holding and cuddling your bird helps a lot. Learn more about this in this article.
How do I get my parakeet to like me?
The first step to getting your pet birds to like you is to get to know them. You should find out what your parakeets like and dislike.
Make sure their dwelling place is clean and comfortable, and make a point of interacting with them regularly to keep them entertained.
You should also feed them different types of foods and provide them with plenty of toys to play with.
How do you tell if a parakeet likes you?
You can tell if a parakeet likes you if he chirps a lot and wants to bond with you the moment you arrive home.
Parakeets also flap their wings rapidly when they are around someone they like. The body posture will also tell whether the parakeet likes you.
If the bird is relaxed and stands in a non-rigid posture, then it is highly likely that he likes you.
Final thoughts
Like humans, parakeets need a dim, quiet, and undisturbed environment to experience a good night’s sleep.
By using our tips above, you can build a strong bond with your pet birds and ensure that they enjoy a peaceful rest every night.
You might be interested in Are Birds Scared Of Humans? Do Birds Poop When Scared?
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