The Sleeping Habits of Parakeets and Budgies

Parakeets, also known as Budgies, require 10-12 hours of sleep in every 24-hour cycle. These ideal pet birds will sleep the bulk of this required time during the night hours if the ideal environment is provided for them.

The first thing a parakeet owner should do is drape a towel or sheet over the bird cage so the parakeet feels secure and safe. In the wild, parakeets will burrow a hole for themselves in eucalyptus trees. By draping a towel or sheet over the cage, the parakeet owner is simulating this enclosed environment and the bird will instinctually respond with the natural response to sleep.

The time that the parakeet does not spend sleeping during the night hours will be slept off during the day hours in short nap cycles. It is not necessary to drape a towel or sheet over the bird cage for a nap cycle. It is possible that the parakeet may confuse this time as a full sleep cycle that it might have during the night hours.

To prepare for sleep, a parakeet will fluff up its feathers to create a billowy appearance. This creates comfort for its head during the sleep cycle. A parakeet will also close its eyes and tuck its head partially beneath the right or left wing to block out light and feel more secure. It is not unusual to observe a parakeet stretching before and after a sleep cycle, even a nap cycle. Instinctually, a parakeet may draw a foot up towards the body and balance on the remaining foot during a sleep cycle. This is just resting the foot. It is likely the parakeet will take time to switch feet and stand on the other foot for another duration of time during the same sleep cycle.

If a parakeet exceeds a total sleep time of 12 hours in a 24-hour cycle, try socializing with the parakeet more often. Parakeets are social animals and require contact with other animals or people to be entertained and stay healthy. A parakeet that is ignored for an unreasonable duration of time can develop depression, which can lead to greater illness. Parakeets require daily contact and bonding. The bird should be spoken to calmly and happily and ideally should be trained to sit on its owner's finger. A parakeet should have toys and a mirror to keep it intellectually and affectionately engaged.

If the parakeet is provided with attention, interaction and toys but still exceeds the total sleep time of 12 hours in a 24-hour cycle, it is important to consult with an aviary veterinarian concerning possible illnesses or stress. The earlier that symptoms can be documented and conditions can be diagnosed, the parakeet's health will be greater and the longer life it will live.

For more information about caring for parakeets and budgies, see Owning a Parakeet aka Budgies.