birdy night frights

[Tishrei]

I have never heard of birdy night frights until I joined this forum. I've actually stood there and watched Ducky sleep after I learned about night frights. I wonder if birds in the wild get those night frights.

My disclaimer: I am not making a claim nor am I attempting to judge or change anything. That being said, this is what I was wondering.

As I've posted before, I don't cover Ducky's cage, it's completely uncovered 24/7. He has never had a night fright and I don't know if he ever would if I did cover his cage. But what I'm wondering is do we change their natural habitat by covering since in the wild, they do not sleep in total darkness or quiet? Are we removing from them what would be a natural protection, so to speak, their ability to see their surroundings if they hear something or sense something?

Ducky and I have this game -- or he has made up this game. If I'm laying on the couch with a blanket on me, he likes to go under the blanket and makes all these squeaking happy noises. However, every one in a while, he'll hear a loud noise outside such as the neighbor bringing in their trash cans on rollers. He immediately pulls himself from under the covers, eyes perk up and he'll stand very still. When he's comfortable that there is no danger, he'll go back to what he was doing. Let's say he did not have the ability to check out the view to make sure there was no danger, I wonder if he would be really frightened.

These are just my thoughts -- and these thoughts are from a very novice bird person.

[4HAND]

I agree that being able to see helps lessen or eliminate night frights.I had a tiel prone to night frights.I stopped covering her and gave her a nightlight.She hasn't had a problem for two years.Also we have many wild birds that build their nests in the eaves and awnings of our home.We can enter and exit all day long,but after dark,this will scare them right off their nests.
Tena