Evie Summers
Birds have a unique sleep pattern. They sleep with one half of their brain awake, a phenomenon called unihemispheric slow-wave sleep. This allows them to stay alert to potential predators while still getting some rest. Birds can adjust how much of their brain is asleep by controlling how wide they open or close their eyes. Nocturnal birds like owls, herons, and nighthawks are active at dusk and into the night, winding down as dawn approaches. They find somewhere to rest and catch up on sleep during the day. Most birds are diurnal, active during the day, and sleep at night. They usually find a secretive place to sleep, like thick foliage, crevices, or holes in trees.
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What You'll Learn
Birds sleep with one eye open
Birds have a unique sleep pattern. They sleep with one eye open, a behaviour known as unihemispheric slow-wave sleep (USWS). In USWS, only half of the brain is asleep while the other half remains awake and alert. This is in contrast to bihemispheric slow-wave sleep (BSWS), where both halves of the brain are asleep.
Birds are the only animals that can control when they wake up with their eyes if they sense danger. When sleeping in groups, those on the edges keep their outermost eyes open while resting the inner-side half of their brain. This is known as the "group-edge effect". The birds in the centre of the group are more likely to sleep with both eyes closed.
Birds that sleep in the open, such as ducks and geese, are more likely to use USWS. They may also use this sleep method when they are not at the head of their flying formation. This allows them to sleep while still being alert to potential predators.
Birds are at their most vulnerable when they are asleep, so USWS is vital for their survival. They can also control their sleep and wakefulness, so when they are in risky situations, they increase the proportion of their sleep where they have one eye open and half their brain awake.
A study of 300 sleeping oystercatchers found that they kept their eyes open longer when walkers passed by, and even longer if the walker had a dog. The birds also peeked more often but for shorter periods when boats passed by, suggesting they felt safer as they are regularly disturbed by boats and do not perceive them as a threat.
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Nocturnal birds
In addition to enhanced vision, nocturnal birds also possess specialized feathers that allow them to fly silently. This stealthy flight helps them remain undetected while hunting, as they can sneak up on their prey without being heard. Their acute sense of hearing further aids in locating prey and avoiding predators. The Barn Owl, for instance, is renowned for its exceptional hearing ability, which enables it to pinpoint prey with accuracy even on moonless nights.
The sleep patterns of nocturnal birds can vary depending on the time of year and whether they are migrating. During migration, many species experience disrupted sleep patterns, sleeping less than usual or taking numerous daytime naps to compensate for lost sleep during long flights. Nocturnal birds also exhibit unihemispheric slow-wave sleep, a remarkable adaptation that allows them to keep one half of their brain awake and alert for potential dangers while the other half sleeps. This enables them to maintain a constant level of alertness even while resting.
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Migration and sleep
Birds have a unique sleep pattern. They share with mammals the cycles of non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREM) and rapid eye movement sleep (REM). However, birds can also sleep with one half of their brain awake, a phenomenon called unihemispheric slow-wave sleep (USWS). During USWS, the asleep half of the brain experiences deep sleep with no REM sleep, while the awake half exhibits degrees of wakefulness. Birds can adjust how much of their brain is asleep by controlling how wide they open or close their eyes.
Birds that migrate long distances have different sleep patterns. For example, frigatebirds can sleep during flight, but they do so in small amounts. They can sleep with one hemisphere at a time or both hemispheres simultaneously. They spend less than 3% of their time sleeping while flying and make up for lost sleep once they reach land. Other migratory birds, such as the garden warbler, take pit stops to eat and sleep during their journey. Some birds, like ducks and geese that fly in J and V formations use USWS when not in the head of the group.
The Swainson's thrush, a migratory bird, takes hundreds of daytime naps to make up for no nighttime sleep. This is because it is diurnal, meaning it is awake during the day and asleep at night. It finds a perch at night, fluffs out its down feathers, turns its head around, tucks its beak into its back feathers, and pulls one leg up to its belly before falling asleep.
Nocturnal birds, like owls and nighthawks, are active at night and sleep during the day. They wake up as the sun sets and hunt at night. During the daytime, they find a safe place to sleep, closing their eyes to block out the light.
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Napping birds
Birds have unique sleep patterns. They experience both non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, but the cycles are much shorter than those of mammals. During NREM sleep, which lasts for around two and a half minutes, birds remain alert to potential threats by sleeping with one eye closed and half of their brain awake. This is known as unihemispheric slow-wave sleep (USWS), and it allows birds to control how much of their brain is asleep by adjusting the width of their open eye.
While the idea of birds sleeping in nests is widespread, it is largely a misconception. Most birds are diurnal, meaning they are active during the day and sleep at night. Nocturnal birds, such as owls, herons, and nighthawks, are the exception, remaining active at night and finding places to rest during the day. When it comes to sleep locations, birds exhibit a variety of behaviours. Some ground-dwelling birds, like partridges or kiwis, seek elevated spots like shrub branches or rocky crevices, while others hide in thick foliage, crevices, or holes in trees or cliffs. Additionally, some birds, such as starlings and wagtails, gather in large night-time roosts, flocking together for safety in numbers.
The amount of sleep birds require varies. Pet birds, such as parrots and conures, typically need about 10-12 hours of undisturbed sleep per night. In the wild, however, sleep patterns can be quite different. For example, birds like swifts and martins, which have active lifestyles and long migratory flights, may only sleep for a few seconds at a time while in the air. On the other hand, birds like ducks and geese that fly in formations will take advantage of USWS, with those on the edges keeping their outermost eyes open while the inner birds sleep more soundly.
The sleeping behaviour of birds is strongly influenced by the risk of predation. A 2006 analysis of sleep data from 23 diverse bird species found a correlation between the amount of deep sleep a bird gets and its "sleep exposure index," which quantifies the level of predation risk based on sleeping location. This suggests that the primary factor influencing bird sleeping patterns is the danger of predator attacks while they are asleep.
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Predators and sleep
Sleep is a critical behaviour that can be influenced by various ecological factors, including the presence of predators. The risk of predation can significantly impact the sleep patterns of prey species, leading them to adopt strategies that enhance their survival chances.
Birds, for example, exhibit unique sleep patterns that allow them to remain vigilant against potential threats. They experience both REM (Rapid Eye Movement) and NREM (Non-Rapid Eye Movement) sleep cycles, but in shorter durations than mammals. One remarkable adaptation that birds possess is the ability to control their unihemispheric slow-wave sleep. This means that they can sleep with one cerebral hemisphere at a time, keeping the other half awake and alert for danger. The distribution of sleep between the hemispheres depends on the level of risk of attacks from predators. Birds that sleep in environments exposed to predators have less deep sleep than those in protected areas. Ducks at the perimeter of a flock have more unihemispheric sleep than those in the middle, enabling them to quickly react to threats.
Similarly, aquatic mammals like dolphins, whales, and pinnipeds (seals) also engage in unihemispheric sleep while swimming, allowing them to keep one brain hemisphere fully functional for swimming and detecting predators, while the other hemisphere rests. This adaptation is crucial for their survival, as falling into deep sleep in the water could lead to suffocation, drowning, or becoming vulnerable to predators.
The presence of predators can also influence the sleep patterns of prey through a phenomenon known as "predator-induced sleep loss." Studies have shown that the sleep patterns of prey can change based on the activity of predators. In some cases, prey may adjust their sleeping behaviour to minimise the risk of encountering predators. For example, in scenarios where predators exhibit monophasic sleep patterns (one sleep bout per 24 hours), prey may adopt polyphasic sleep patterns (multiple sleep bouts per 24 hours) to ensure they are awake when predators are active.
Additionally, the risk of predation can lead to increased REM sleep in prey species. REM sleep serves a protective function, allowing for brief but periodic awakenings that prepare the organism for immediate fight or flight responses. Prolonged exposure to predator threats has been linked to an increase in total REM sleep time, indicating its potential role in enhancing survival.
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Frequently asked questions
Birds sleep with one half of their brain awake, a phenomenon called unihemispheric slow-wave sleep. This allows them to stay alert to potential predators while still getting some rest.
Birds need around 10-14 hours of sleep to be well-rested.
Birds usually sleep in secretive locations, so it is not common to see them sleeping. However, some birds like ducks may be spotted snoozing at the water's edge.
It is recommended to put pet birds to bed around sunset and let them wake up around sunrise to ensure they get adequate sleep.
Birds typically wake up on their own when it's light out, but if you need to wake a bird, you can gently call its name or create a stimulus like a soft noise or light tap on its cage.
