Putting a bird to bed

[Jax]

When we put my GCC Lupe to bed, she usually cries for 30 minutes or more before going to sleep. We cover her cage with a dark sheet so she doesn't wake up at the crack of dawn because sometimes she goes to bed late 9-10 and waves up at 8 or so. The problem is, she never goes into her bed before we cover the cage. Of course she hates going to bed, she would rather stay up and play. It kind of bothers me that she cries though. I've tried half covering the cage and waiting until she is in her bed to cover it all the way but she just stays up until we cover her and leave her in the dark for a while.

Anyways, I was wondering - is it normal for her to cry herself to sleep? And is it okay to cover her before she is in her bed? Is there anything we can do to stop the crying? We've had her for about 3 months now and she has been doing this since we got her.

[Jax]

My bird Lupe likes to bob her head and then does a chewing motion which I assume means she is regurgitating food for me because she loves me. That's cool and all, but here's what I don't understand - she bobs her head and does the chewing/regurgitation even when she is mad and biting a long. It's so weird because it seems like she is in a bad mood, she's really grumpy and biting me and then after she bites she regurgitates, and then bite again, and repeats.

Any idea what this behavior could mean? Is she mad or is she happy? I don't get it!

[teenab]

my cinn gc bobs all the times - sometimes regurgitating, sometimes not. he also HATES going to bed. I've given up & take him to bed with me. he climbs up my drapes & sleeps above my window on the frame. i grab him down first thing in the morning & hold him over the toilet til he poops!

[Jax]

Oops, I meant to create a second thread for the second question. Is there any way to delete post #2?

[Ivy Mom]

It is normal for a green cheek to squawk, chirp, "cry" when going to bed.
Mine has done this for 5 years. Some nights it is longer than others. But it
is normal so don't worry. I just view it as part of the roosting process.

Before I cover the cage I put her on my shoulder, say "good night" & give
her a kiss. Then when I put her in the cage she immediately climbs onto
her happy hut. I put the cover on the cage and then she starts her little
nighttime "song."

[Jax]

Thanks for the input. Lupe never goes into the happy hut when I am watching. I know she sleeps in there though because when I uncover her in the morning she jumps out of it. But when I put her to bed, she just wants to eat seeds and play with her toys until a while after I put her away.

[Flappuccino]

They all have such totally different personalities- it just cracks me up.
My Chino puts himself to bed between 8 and 9. Even if it's still light out, and I want to hold him for a while, if it's after his bedtime, he will totally ignore me and refuse to come out.
I've never covered either bird. They just decided when the perfect time for bed is. Jack (lovebird) stays up a bit later than Chino. They both have excellent manners when they get up as well. I can hear them moving around in their cages, eating, etc., but never really start talking and chirping and squawking until they see their people up and around.

[Jax]

Wow, yeah Lupe is so totally opposite. She would never sleep if she had it her way. When I cover her cage she chirps and cries herself to sleep, then in the morning she wakes up between 7 and 9 and starts calling for me to uncover her cage. Even if she goes to bed late, she always wakes up around the same time.

[Anneka]

This is based on my experience only: Some birds, before falling asleep, need a kind of reassurance that they are still loved by their mommy. Maybe try to spend a few extra minutes with him when he starts 'crying'. Give him extra kisses, hold him close to your chest, say a few calming words, have a little discussion with him about his day or your day, whisper when you talk, give him a sip of water or diluted juice (I use tiny cups) and he then might be ready for the night.
Sounds crazy (to some people - maybe), but how about singing a lullaby to him?