Owning a pet bird can be very rewarding. It is also a big responsibility. A pet bird is totally reliant on its owner for its health and well-being, and while many bird owners appreciate the importance of correct diet for their feathered companion, not all owners understand the important role that sleep plays in their bird’s health.

Although sleep requirements may vary slightly for different species, most pet birds need between 10 and 12 hours of sleep each night, preferably in a quiet, dark environment. A bird that is sleep-deprived is likely to be cranky and unsociable, and will eventually develop a compromised immune system, leaving it susceptible to a host of health problems. Ideally, birds should be allowed to sleep from sunset through to sunrise as they would in their natural environment. Realistically though, many birds are members of modern households that just don’t run on the old adage of “early to bed, early to rise…”, so what can you as a bird owner do in the best interests of your beloved pet?

You certainly don’t want to cut short any playtime that you would normally enjoy with your bird. If the only time you have available to spend together is after sunset, then by all means take all the time you need to do this – both for your benefit and the benefit of your bird. But once playtime is over, it is best to remove your bird from the room where the family is gathered, most likely chatting and watching television. Many bird owners have found that their pets do very well in a “sleep cage” – a smaller cage which is only used for the bird to sleep in and can be placed in a room away from household activity. This cage can be covered in order to provide an even darker environment. If your bird has been up late in the evening, preferably allow it some extra quiet time in the morning in order to catch up on its “beauty” sleep.

What if your work schedule means that you only get to see your bird later in the evening when he may already have gone to sleep? Experts say that it is perfectly acceptable to wake your bird up to spend time together – but this needs to be done gently, or you may be on the receiving end of an irritated bird’s beak. Simply switch on the light in the bird’s room, which will encourage it to wake up naturally, and then spend some quality time together. The key thing in this situation is to allow the bird the full amount of sleeping time, even if it has been broken into segments.

In nature, birds generally remain awake during daylight hours because they are constantly on the lookout for predators. Your pet bird will exhibit the same behavior when it is in a well lit area. Although it may at times seem that your bird dozes off during the day, this is not quality sleep and it will likely react immediately to any noise or disturbance. Of course, you know that there is no danger from predators in your home, but your bird’s instincts tell it to be alert – and this can be exhausting when artificial light extends the bird’s “daytime” past nature’s twelve hour period. Moreover, some species of birds are stimulated to go into breeding mode when exposed to long periods of daylight. Cockatiels and lovebirds are among the species that are susceptible to chronic egg-laying, which is generally as a direct result of too much daylight.

Many bird-owners have found that simply providing a suitable sleep environment and allowing their pet between ten and twelve hours of sleep has made a world of difference to their health and temperament.

Related posts:

1. Birds Share Mammalian Sleep Patterns
2. The Benefits of Sunlight for your Bird
3. Foraging – Keeping your Bird Entertained

Most bird lovers may already know that aviculture is the practice of keeping birds. The term does not only refer to bird keeping, but the various practices related to it, such as bird breeding, and the sub-culture that usually surrounds these practices. It can also be extended to the preservation of wild birds in their various natural habitats and public awareness campaigns that are created to help ensure the longevity of these birds.

People are drawn to the world of aviculture for various reasons, but at the heart of their actions usually lies a deep appreciation for birds. They may, for example, breed birds such as parrots as companion birds for others to enjoy. Or they might prefer to limit their breeding activities to certain ‘wild’ birds as part of efforts to preserve a particular bird species. They might also ultimately end up being in it for the money. As these individuals get started in their chosen profession, they often meet more and more likeminded individuals that they can share their passion for birds with. In doing so, they quickly find themselves part of a massive subculture of modern society that is dedicated solely to the breeding and protection of a large number of different bird species.

Aviculture is so big, in fact, that a number of different avicultural societies have been established all over the world. The largest organizations are usually found in Europe, Australia and the United States. Many of the people affiliated with such societies have a fair amount of time and money to invest in their beloved birds. You do not have to be an affiliated member of a bird society in order to be an aviculturalist. More lackadaisical bird lovers often find other ways to feed their avian-based culture. They may, for example, subscribe to a regular periodical that focuses on bird keeping and bird preservation. These periodicals may be generalized or specific and usually talk about things such as breeding, care, health, bird selection and companion birds. Aviculturalists may also branch out from bird keeping into bird breeding, or get self-help books to help ease their introduction to bird keeping. Aviculture is a great way to explore new possibilities, learn new things and make new friends. So get involved and explore this fascinating aspect of birding.

Related posts:

1. Rocky Mountain Bird Expo 2009
2. The Balcones Songbird Festival in Texas
3. Export And Capture Ban Passed As Law