covering their cage at night

[DebbieRay]

Is it really necessary to cover their cages at night? I keep forgetting to cover the cages. They do not seem to mind. What is the purpose? Thanks again for all your help. I think it is so great that you can post a question and so many knowledgable people respond w/ great suggestions. Thanks! Debbie Ray :)

[Lora, Archer, & Kira]

It depends on the bird. My GCs hate to be covered, but my cockatiel feels more secure when she is covered.

[Monica]

Some birds prefer more to be covered at night for security reasons, and if anything may move in the middle of the night that if they cannot hear but they see it, it may still freak them out (such as shadows). It may also be recommended if you stay up late at night with the lights on... Some people keep their birds covered to uncover them in the morning at a certain time (after the sun has already risen) to start their day so the birds do not disturb them earlier than that specific time.

However, my birds live in my room, with a window facing west and another facing south. I may occasionally turn the light on during the night, however, not for long periouds of time so they usually "rise and fall" with the sun. They are also quite use to me moving around at night so I don't worry for night frights. I let them rise with the sun, and I am usually woken up either by them, the dog, or someone in the house, so their day starts then...

[smallonion]

Birds need more sleep than humans,and even if they sleep in a lighted room, it still stresses their systems- they need (most experts say) about 10 hours of darkness. In my apartment, the sun comes in about 6AM,and that would totally wake Humphrey. So, keeping him covered allows him to have a few more hours sleep.

Also, I like the 'ritual' aspect of it.I've read time and time again that parrots like routine. WHen I bring the cover over, Humphrey knows it's bedtijme and right away goes and snuiggles next to his birdy buddy. IN the moring it's nice to uncover him- he goes over and waits by his food dish for breakfast.

Bestwishes,
Michele and Humphrey