Why Does My Cockatiel Sleep So Much? Is It Normal?

It is normal for cockatiels to sleep throughout the day. If you are a first-time bird owner, you might not be acquainted with the sleeping pattern of your pet. Surely, you might be wondering, why is my little pet sleeping so much? It is normal for them to sleep a lot?

Even I was worried about the same during my initial days of being a cockatiel owner, so I did some research on the same, and here is what I found out!

Most cockatiels will sleep whenever there isn’t anything better to do. Since they don’t have smartphones, jobs, or homework, sleeping is generally the best way to spend long, tedious hours. There are a number of factors determining how much your bird sleeps: baby and older cockatiels will likely spend more of their time asleep.

Every cockatiel needs sleep but if you notice your bird sleeping a lot more than usual then it can be a worry.

There are several reasons why cockatiels might suddenly start to sleep a lot and even sleep all day in some circumstances.

In this post, we will take a close look at all the reasons why your bird could be sleeping more than usual so you can get a better understanding of why this is happening and if action is needed.

Is It Normal For Cockatiels To Nap?

The average cockatiel will sleep between 10-12 hours a day.

This is generally made up of day-time naps and overnight sleep.

Baby cockatiels will need even longer. As a bird start to reach their mature years, they will sleep more as their bodies and minds tire quicker.

If you have bought yourself a new cockatiel, then you will see that he might not even come out of his hiding to play while the lights are on or while you are awake.

However, if you still feel that you rarely find your cockatiel awake, it might be due to some underlying health conditions. In such cases, the best option is to visit the vet.

What Does It Mean When Your Cockatiel Sleeps A Lot?

There are several reasons why your cockatiel might be sleeping more than its usual schedule, even though most of them are harmless and totally natural, some reasons can be serious and need attention right away.

Now, let us have a quick look at the few significant reasons and try to understand our birds better.

Age

To live a healthy life, cockatiels need ten-twelve hours of sleep per day. However, the age of your cockatiel may affect its sleeping pattern.

You will realise that baby and older cockatiels tends to sleep more than young-energetic cockatiels.

As your bird start to grow older, you will see a visible change in their energy levels. Also, you will see that your cockatiel now prefers to stay alone most of the time.

Just make sure to fulfill all the need and requirements of your bird, and you are good to go.

Boredom

It is important to provide your cockatiels with an adequate number of toys for their well-being.

Birds need proper physical and mental stimulation to live happy and healthy life. Cockatiels can get bored pretty easily.

Therefore, if you find your cockatiel sleeping more than usual, there are high chances that it has been bored and has nothing to do.

You must realize that just because your cockatiel lives in a cage, it does not need any kind of attention.

This means that it’s your job as an owner to give your cockatiel all the enrichment they need by providing them with stimulating activities.

Once you start to take care of your bird’s basic needs, you will notice that your cockatiel goes back to its regular sleeping pattern.

Stress

Cockatiels do not like changes. They can get stressed pretty quickly.

Stress can look like an illness with low activity, lethargy, and extra stinky excrement and can arise for a number of reasons.

The most common is poor habitat, but it could be something as simple as too many loud noises or being handled more than they’d like.

If you feel your cockatiel is stressed, do not ignore it.

In some cases, stress might even lead to loss of appetite and other serious health complications that can take away your cockatiel’s life.

Therefore, you must provide your cockatiel with the life they deserve.

Dehydration

Dehydration in cockatiels can be pretty serious.

If your bird is dehydtared, it will easily lead to them becoming lethargic and sleeping more than usual.

As an inquisitive cockatiel owner, you must learn to pick out the signs of dehydration in your little friend.

Immediately, take your cockatiel to the vet if you feel that the situation is not under your control. Rehydration is a slow process. So, do not stress your bird by forcing him to drink water.

It’s Dark Outside

Cockatiels prefer to sleep at night in the dark.

This basically means that there is a chance that a particularly dark, rainy day may make your cockatiel a little extra sleepy.

This behavior in cockatiels is totally normal, and you may even recognize this sleepy response to a stormy day in yourself or your other pets.

Even with a good bulb in their cage, the external environment can still have an impact on them.

Medical Issues

Cockatiels need proper care and attention to avoid any kind of health issues.

Cockatiels can hide their pain pretty well. Sometimes, you will not even know how much your little birds are suffering.

If your suspect that your cockatiel is suffering from a health condition, observe your pet regularly and look out for any adverse symptoms.

If your little bird shows any unusual or weird behavior, then take them to a vet.

How Much Sleep Does A Cockatiel Need?

Cockatiels have their own personalities, this is part of why we love them so much!

There is a range of factors from age to exercise that require some cockatielss to have different sleeping needs than others.

With all things considered, cockatielss should generally sleep between 10-12 hours per day, although this number is often reduced during the summertime to between 8-10 hours per day.

If your little pet is not sleeping enough, this may signify a medical condition. Take recommendations from the veterinarian to keep your cockatiel well-rested.

Can My Cockatiel Sleep With Me?

Although your cockatiel can sleep with you, it is not a good idea to do so. It would help if you kept in mind a few concerns before you plan to sleep with your birds.

Cockatiels poop several times a day. There are high chances that your bird will end up pooping in your bed and maybe over you as well.

In addition, it is not safe for your cockatiel to sleep with you. If you move around while you are asleep, you might end up hurting or even squishing your bird very bad which is an essential risk.

Besides this, your cockatiels might carry specific allergens and diseases. Therefore, the best option is not to let your bird sleep with you.

To Conclude

You understand your cockatiel: if you see a couple of lazy days followed by normally active days, don’t fret as that is normal behavior for your little birds.

Like you, your cockatiels may experience lazy periods that you cannot control. The best thing you can do is watch their behavior, offer proper food and water, provide adequate stimulation.

Try not to worry if it only lasts a day or two, but please recognize when to call a vet for additional support. I, like you, want to make sure that your scaly best friend has a long and happy life.

Mohini

Hello, I am Mohini, the founder of this blog. I am a qualified Animal Nutrition. I am here to help everyone understand their pets better.

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