How long do Parakeets Sleep? (Vet’s Guide)

Last Updated on July 6, 2023 by Ali Shahid

Parakeets are one of the most beloved pets. Owners do everything to make sure that they are safe and healthy. Sleeping is essential for every living being and for parakeets too.

How long do parakeets sleep?

The average parakeet sleeps for 10-12 hours, while a baby parakeet and an aged parakeet may sleep more. Parakeets are accustomed to perching on a branch, closing their eyes, and sometimes tucking their heads under their wings while taking a nap.

Moreover, one foot may be retracted into the body, giving the appearance that they are standing precariously on one talon. To ensure that your parakeet is receiving adequate sleep, you should study his or her sleeping habits.

In this article, I will explain how long parakeets sleep, and discuss everything related to parakeets’ sleep. In this way, you will be able to understand your parakeet’s sleeping pattern and duration, and what you need to do to help your parakeet sleep properly.

How Much Sleep Does a Parakeet Need?

A pet parakeet generally requires ten to twelve hours of sleep per day. Although the amount of time your parakeet sleeps varies from bird to bird. The habits of each bird are unique, but there are a few general rules you can generally follow.

The number of hours is somewhat higher than what is expected for humans, but not as high as for cats. This sleep is not necessarily experienced at the same time. Sometimes your parakeet will sleep during quieter moments or when they’re not distracted.

How do parakeets sleep?

Almost all parakeets have the same sleep pattern as humans. Suppose you are sleeping, and someone wakes you up in the middle of the night. How would you feel? Angry. Parakeets exhibit the same behavior. The importance of sleep for parakeets cannot be overstated.

As soon as disturbed, they begin to bite and chip loudly. Typically, parakeets live in pairs or groups of 100 birds. Generally, birds sleep together in trees that have high branches, particularly those that are near bodies of water. This will allow them to escape predators more easily.

The parakeet does not build a nest, unlike other birds. Rather, pairs of parakeets migrate to hollow cavities of trees during the mating season and remain there for the remainder of the year.

Sleeping positions for parakeets vary at night. Parakeets have five different sleep patterns, which are listed below.

6 Common Parakeets Sleeping Positions

1.   Lying Down

A parakeet usually sleeps on a perch, standing upright on one leg. Nevertheless, this does not imply that any other sleeping position should be avoided.

Occasionally, parakeets lean flat on their belly while sleeping on the cage floor. If this is the case, it signifies the following: Insufficient space, tiredness, and illness.

2.   Lying Down On Perch

Laying flat on the perch seems unsafe and uncomfortable. However, any parakeet that can stand upright with one leg is capable of sleeping in this position comfortably.  

Taking this position, the parakeet has one leg tucked into its chest feathers while the other leg remains perched on one leg. The parakeet will rest his chest on its perch while moving his body forward.

3.   Sleep on One Leg

One of the most comfortable positions for parakeets is to sleep on one leg. Your parakeet will feel relaxed and comfortable if it sleeps in this manner. To keep their legs warm and well-rested, parakeets rotate between their legs.

4.   Sleeping On the Side of the Cage

During sleep, the parakeet may climb to the top of the cage and hang upside-down from the bars. Parakeets enjoy climbing and hanging at different angles, so there is no need to be concerned.

5.   Head Tuck

It is common for parakeets to tuck their heads in their wings or feathers while they are sleeping in the morning. Occasionally, their heads are tucked between their wings or around their bodies during flight. There is no need to worry as the parakeet is comfortable in either position.

6. Closed Eyes

If a parakeet is relaxing, seated, napping, or sleeping, it closes its eyes. Sitting on a stem, they can sleep throughout the night without any risk of falling.

When Do Parakeets Sleep?

Parakeets are diurnal birds that awaken in the morning and go to sleep in the evening. As soon as it becomes dark outside, they go to sleep. If you wish to ensure a good night’s sleep for your parakeet, cover its cage with a towel to block out excess light.

You should cover the cage from the top, as this is the easiest method. Ideally, parakeets sleep in their cages at the highest point, which gives them the illusion of being atop a tree. There should be an opening at the bottom of the cage for ventilation.

The following guidelines can assist you in ensuring that your parakeet sleeps peacefully at night:

Temperature

When parakeets sit still for prolonged periods, their preference is to rest in warm temperatures that reach 80 degrees at night. When the weather gets cooler, you might want to adjust their room temperature.

The summer months are more challenging than the winter months. Besides being cold, air conditioners produce a blast of cold that their little bodies can’t handle. Make sure that vents are closed and that the cage is raised high so that warm air can enter.

No lighting

The parakeet needs complete darkness to sleep well at night. Even though they sleep well in natural light, they prefer total darkness and do not require a low nightlight.

Draping a towel over the cage is the best way to ensure that the animals enjoy a relaxing and restful sleep.

Raise the cage height

Ensure that the cage is raised in height to make your parakeet feel more secure. There must be a comfortable sleeping area at the top of the enclosure.

Cover the cage

With the cage cover, you don’t have to worry about any of these issues because it blocks light, traps warmth, and dampens noise. When birds like to get up extremely early, a cover can muffle the sound of their cries. 

Get a sleeping hut

The idea behind this is the same as a cage cover, but it will serve more than just a cage cover. Look for a soft, safe, and easy-to-clean nest-shaped model. You can also develop a routine so your pet knows when to settle down by moving her into a separate room.

Neat environment

A cluttered environment can cause stress in parakeets; they prefer a clean and well-organized environment. Ensure that your bird’s cage is clean and free of any extra toys before putting it to sleep. It is always a good idea to clean the droppings. Therefore, you will be able to ensure a restful, relaxing sleep for your bird.

Pet parenting should always be tailored to the specific needs of your bird. Initially, do not intervene and simply observe the night, noting any problems that may arise. Installing a pet camera can assist you in determining the cause of any disturbances you observe. Then, evaluate these six options to determine which one is most appropriate for your needs.

Parakeets Sleep (Wild VS Captivity)

As a parakeet sleeps on objects (cages) or twigs, it uses a technique called perching to rest without falling. Parakeets sleep the same way whether they’re wild or pet, but their patterns differ based on their surroundings.

Wild Parakeets

The parakeet normally occurs in pairs or flocks of more than 100 birds in nature. As a means of escaping predators, birds prefer to reside in the highest branches of tall trees that are located near water sources.

A parakeet sleeps in a group, nesting in the hollow trunks of dead or living trees except during the mating season.

The wild parakeet lowers its body temperature at night, covers its featherless legs with feathers, and lowers its wings. This is to keep warm and prevent losing heat during the night. For additional warmth, they sleep on one leg and tuck the other into their body.

A parakeet rests its head on its back or tucks it in its wings if it feels safe in the particular environment. Otherwise, their heads will be propped up while they sleep.

Pet Parakeets

Pet parakeets behave similarly to wild parakeets when they sleep. Whenever there is more than one bird in a cage, they tend to converge on the highest pole. It can be a swing or a container of any type. In the absence of a pole, they may sleep upside down on the roof bars of the cage.

A pet parakeet may feel safe in its cage; as a result, most birds in their cages will close their eyes or lie on their backs to sleep.

Different parakeets have different comfort zones and sleeping habits. But the above are the few ways that are most commonly observed in parakeets.

3 Reasons Why Parakeets Sleep Without Falling

The three factors that contribute to parakeets not falling from their nests are as follows.

1.   Flexible Feet

When parakeets are sleeping, they utilize the perching technique. Despite having flexible feet, parakeets can hold on to thin wires and branches without falling.

2.   Zygodactyl Toes

As a result of their zygodactyl feet, parakeets possess opposable thumbs. The thumb and third finger are arranged so that they can grasp well with four toes. In addition, two fingers remain extended forward during sleep for additional support.

3.   Flexor Tendon

It is primarily their flexor tendon that keeps them rigid during sleep and prevents them from falling. Parakeets use this tendon to lock themselves in a position when they sleep and to release themselves when they awaken.

Due to their zygodactyl foot and flexible tendon, birds can sleep on one leg without falling.

How To Know If My Parakeet Is Sleeping

Your parakeet will close its eyes and stand on one leg while sleeping. If you observe closely, its head turns around and lays over its back. The bird may sometimes tuck its head under one of its wings or between two wings. This is a sign that your parakeet is sleeping.

Your parakeet may not necessarily be awake if it is not in this position. In most cases, parakeets close at least one eye as they sleep. If an animal’s second eye is open, it indicates that its brain is partially relaxed while it is watching.

4 Signs Parakeets Are Not Getting Enough Sleep

A parakeet that lacks sleep will exhibit these few signs.

1.   Behavioral change

When parakeets do not receive sufficient sleep, they also exhibit cranky, aggressive, and grumpy behaviors. They will likely avoid exercising throughout the day and remain inactive. There is even the possibility that some may begin biting.

2.   Attack other birds

When parakeets do not get enough sleep, they can attack other parakeets and injure them.

3.   Morning Naps

Day naps are healthy for parakeets. However, if the bird begins sleeping throughout the day and doesn’t interact with other birds, it may not receive enough sleep at night.

4.   Gear for sleeping

Parakeets need a nest to sleep soundly. Security, sleeping, comfort, and breeding are all considered to be important characteristics of sleeping equipment. It is an instinct for parakeets to sleep in nests.

Sleep deprivation can result in illness in a bird. Hence, help the bird sleep enough if you see these signs. A parakeet’s health and happiness are affected by how they sleep.

The position in which they sleep depends on their environment as well as the equipment they have at their disposal. Your parakeet should sleep for 10-12 hours a day undisturbed to stay happy.

Frequently Asked Question

Do parakeets sleep with their eyes open?

When sleeping, parakeets may either keep their eyes open or close, depending on their environment and their current activities. It’s most common for them to close their eyes and nap when they’re in a safe place free of predators.

Why Parakeet is sleeping on the bottom of the cage?

If a parakeet sleeps on the bottom of its cage, it may be ill. You must take your parakeet to an avian veterinarian as soon as possible.

Do parakeets sleep all day?

Parakeets are known for taking short naps at various times during the day. However, if it sleeps throughout the day and avoids interacting with other birds, it may not be getting adequate rest.

Do parakeets like to be covered at night?

It is not necessary to cover a bird’s sleeping area at night, as long as it is dark, quiet, and somewhat secluded. Despite this, it is important to keep in mind that birds require sleep to remain healthy. In case you are not sure how your pet will react to being uncovered, place the cage back in its original location at night.