Darkness- too scary for birds?

[Marguerite]

Hello,

So I was wondering about the dark and what people's experience with it is. The problem that I have is although I love my Senegal very much she makes a ton of noise in the morning. I know this is normal "call to flock" or so I've heard and I shouldn't reprimand it. This situation is difficult because I am in a loft apartment. She is right under me and screams early in the morning are often times just intolerable. What I have been doing is going down stairs, saying hello, checking in so she knows I'm there and she's safe, and then very calmly covering her cage and sliding it into a darker space: not pitch black, but about as dark as it is at night for her. In this space she remains quiet, sleeps, feeds and such for an hour or two until I am ready to get up, then I very positively roll her out, give her lots of love and breakfast treats. Is this a good course of action.

Let me know, THANKS!


-Marguerite &

[lzver]

Hi Marguerite and welcome to the forum.

Being in the dark can be calming to birds.

You could try covering your Senegal at night. I cover all three of my birds and they normally remain quiet until about 8 or 8:30 if we are still in bed that late.

[captwest]

Wish i could roll out of bed at the crack of 8:30

[entrancedbymyGCC]

Most birds prefer darkness I'm told, with the exception of those subject to night frights, which mostly seems to be reported in 'tiels. Covering her won't prevent greeting the dawn, but it will allow you to control when dawn is. Our birds are in a room that has good blinds and afternoon sun -- they will sleep until we get up and open the room or until the lights on timers go on around 9:30. It's the light level, not the clock, that seems to drive them.

[pirategene]

I cover my 9 yo blue & gold macaw in the evening and uncover the cage in the morning well after daylight. Sometimes I cover the cage or if he is loose, darken the room to control the noise.
No problem with parrots getting twelve hours sleep. Their sleep and darkness is very important to their health.
pirategene and tambo