How to Prevent Cockatiel Night Frights
There are many things new cockatiel owners must know when they bring home their new bird. One of these things is that cockatiels are prone to having episodes called night frights. Basically, cockatiels have very poor night vision. This is why when you turn off the light they know it is bedtime. In the wild, they rest from sundown to sunup as a safety precaution. When the bird wakes up in the middle of the night he or she may bump into a toy, cage mate, or even the side of the cage and it will startle him or her. He may hear a loud noise or see something they cannot identify moving in the room. This will put him into a panic and he will start flailing around the cage. This is dangerous for the bird and for his cage mates. Some birds are more prone to night frights, but all birds have them. You can take precautions to make them less of an issue.
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Instructions
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It is all about cage placement. There are many factors to take into consideration when determining where to put the bird cage. You want to place the cage away from the direct line of windows so that outside noises do not disturb the birds. If you live in high-traffic areas or an apartment complex, the lights from the passing cars can be an issue. Put him in an area that will not be noisy or loud.
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To Cover or Not to Cover. Some people insist that covering the bird cage at night is a must. Others believe that as long as the room is dark, no cover is needed. If the cage is covered, the cage is completely dark. Many cockatiels love to greet the morning with a song, or if they do not see their “Alpha Bird” (the owner) within a certain amount of time they will call for him or her. The cover keeps the bird in the dark longer, but this could lead to more night frights. If you have to cover the cage, try to leave a little corner uncovered.
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Yes, your bird may need a night light. If your bird is prone to night frights, a night light may help. Yes, the room needs to be mostly dark, so it does not need to be a bright light. They just need enough light so they can see in and around their cage. Check the night light frequently to make sure the light does not burn out.
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