Parakeets Sleeping All Day: What Owners Need To Know

If your parakeet is sleeping all day, there are several possible reasons. Firstly, parakeets are diurnal, meaning they are usually awake and active during the day and sleep at night. If your parakeet is sleeping more than usual, it may be due to a poor night's sleep, poor diet, uncomfortable temperature, depression, or an unseen illness. Poor diet, especially a seed-only diet, can lead to nutritional deficiencies, resulting in low energy and increased sleep. Additionally, parakeets may sleep more if they feel too cold or too hot, as sleeping helps conserve energy. Other signs of illness or discomfort in parakeets include fluffed-up feathers, reduced activity, changes in droppings, and loss of appetite. If you suspect your parakeet is unwell, it is best to consult an avian veterinarian for advice and treatment.

Illness: Parakeets are prey species and experts at hiding when they are unwell

Parakeets are prey species, and they are experts at hiding when they are unwell. In the wild, they camouflage their illnesses to avoid attracting predators and bullies in their flock. This instinct to hide illness is so strong that by the time symptoms are visible, they have often been sick for some time.

As a parakeet owner, you should be observant of any unusual behaviour. Some of the most common signs of illness in parakeets include:

• Fluffed-up feathers
• Less playing and talking
• Changes in droppings
• Sitting on the cage floor
• Sleeping a lot
• Open-beak breathing
• Holding wings away from the body
• Loss of balance
• Lack of appetite
• Weight loss
• Seizures
• Lack of energy
• Changes in vocalisation
• Aggression
• Self-mutilation
• Feather plucking
• Stress bars

If you notice any of these symptoms in your parakeet, it is important to consult an avian veterinarian as soon as possible. Birds can deteriorate rapidly when sick, so early detection is crucial.

Poor diet: Nutritional deficiencies are common in parakeets that eat only seeds

Nutritional deficiencies are most commonly seen in parakeets that eat seeds exclusively. While seeds do make up an essential component of their diet, they do not provide the proper levels of protein and calcium for a healthy bird.

Many birds who eat exclusively seeds will selectively eat by picking out only their favorites and not getting the full benefit of a balanced seed mix.

You should ensure you are offering a wide range of varieties, including seeds, pellets, fresh vegetables, and fruit, so your parakeet can get all it needs for a bright and alert day and a restful night of sleep.

If your parakeet is eating a poor diet, they may feel low in energy and sleep more. A well-balanced diet will provide your parakeet with the vitamins and minerals to metabolize into energy.

If your parakeet is not eating a balanced diet, they will not get the proper levels of protein and calcium, which can lead to illness. For example, a lack of calcium can lead to egg-binding in female parakeets, which is life-threatening.

If your parakeet is sleeping a lot, it may be a sign that they are not getting the proper vitamins and minerals from their diet. A trip to the vet is recommended if you suspect your parakeet is unwell.

Temperature: Parakeets may sleep more if they are too hot or cold

Temperature plays a significant role in the sleeping patterns of parakeets. As cold-blooded creatures, parakeets may sleep more if they feel too hot or cold. If the temperature is too low, they will sleep to conserve energy, as everything takes a lot more energy when the internal body temperature is low. If you notice your parakeet with puffed-up feathers and shivering, it is a sign that they are trying to stay warm. In such cases, it is advisable to keep them in a sufficiently warm environment, shield them from cold drafts, and provide them with opportunities to bask in the sunshine.

On the other hand, if the temperature is too high, parakeets may also become less active and sleep more. Excessive heat can be draining for them, just like it is for humans. Signs of heat stress in parakeets include panting and holding their wings away from their bodies to increase cooling airflow. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the temperature is comfortable for your parakeet and that they have access to a cool, shaded area if they feel too warm.

Depression: Boredom and loneliness can cause lethargy and depression

Boredom and loneliness can cause lethargy and depression in parakeets. In the wild, parakeets are busy all day long, chattering to other parakeets, looking for food, and investigating their habitat. As pets, they have significantly less to do. If they become bored and lonely, they can become quite lethargic and depressed. Other signs of depression include feather plucking, stress bars, and aggression.

To prevent boredom and loneliness, it is important to provide your parakeet with mental and physical stimulation. This can include socializing with them regularly and providing them with another feathered friend. In addition, your parakeet should have lots of changing toys, furnishings, and fun enrichment.

Poor night's sleep: Disruptions such as light, noise, or shadows can cause interrupted sleep

Parakeets are diurnal, meaning they are awake and active during the day and sleep at night. If your parakeet is sleeping more than usual, it may be a sign that it didn't get enough sleep the night before.

Parakeets have different sleep stages that provide various benefits, and they cycle through these stages at night. Interrupted sleep can meddle with this cycle and reduce sleep quality.

To ensure your parakeet gets a good night's sleep, create a relaxing environment and promote your parakeet's brain and body to relax:

• Keep the surroundings quiet—parakeets can be easily startled by noises, both large and small.
• Make the room dark—just like all diurnal animals, the brain is signalled to rest by producing melatonin when it's dark. Any persistent or blinking lights can disrupt your parakeet's sleep. If you can't get the room dark enough, consider covering your parakeet's cage.
• Don't let it get too cold—parakeets originate from Australia, where the temperature is warm. While it will get colder at night, it shouldn't be uncomfortable for your parakeet.
• Provide plenty of perches—parakeets will sleep perched up high for safety, so ensure they have a high and safe place to sleep. If you have multiple parakeets, make sure there are enough perches for all of them.
• Dim the lights before bedtime—position the cage so that the light around it dims as the day fades. This can help settle your parakeet into sleep, rather than the abruptness of a light being turned off or a cage covered.

Frequently asked questions