by entrancedbymyGCC » Thu Jan 13, 2011 12:16 pm
If you have a safe bird room that your bird is contained in, that is dark for at least nine hours, you wouldn't necessarily need to lock him in his cage, but very few of us have a setup like that -- and he might choose to sleep in the cage anyway! Most birds like a perch that is high up in a corner to sleep on because it feels protected (then there are wierdos like GCCs that like to sleep on their backs, but that's a whole 'nother deal). If the perch is at a normal height in a big room, I would guess your budgie loves it during the day but would feel more secure in the cage at night.
Covering a cage is to make it darker and quieter. It isn't necessary to cover if the cage is located in a room that isn't used at night and has good drapes or blinds. Letting a bird, flighted or otherwise, wander the house unsupervised is IMO dangerous even if you have a well bird-proofed house and no other pets or humans.
Scooter

Death Valley Scotty
