How do you explain to such a tiny bird...

[IcyWolf]

that it's not safe for him to sleep in bed with you? Since we got billy joe(tonight is night 3) he doesn't seem to ever want to sleep! Unlike ziggy, I have to lock him in his cage at night because he is flighted and will not stop flying over to us. We have tried keeping him uncovered and covered, but it seems like no matter what, any hint of noise or movement and he is back up, blowing kisses, saying I love you, and just generally being irresistibly cute! He will act sooo tired sometimes, standing on me on one foot, fighting to keep his eyes open but he doesn't want to sleep if ANYTHING is happening. Which is pretty hard because myself, my boyfriend, our dog and ziggy all share the same room. I'm hoping he gets accustomed to things and starts to settle down but as of now, he just constantly wants to be with/on us! It's quite flattering but it can't be healthy! On a good note, he has already learned to kiss and when I say "come here" he will also say it and fly to me. And when I say "fly" he will fly back to his cage(although he doesn't stay on there long!) He is soooo intelligent, I just can't get over it! We are all in love with him! Anywho, I guess I'll stop typing and go back to being quiet, hoping little man will finally fall asleep on his own :smile021:

 

[suebee]

awww hate it when there too cute for there own good , personnally an i could be wrong, keep lights low, and ignore him, after awhile he should get the idea its his bed time, like any small child they won't sleep incase they miss something lol

 

[Mayden]

Used to hate this when Merlin first came back with us, he refused to sleep unless he was with us. His whistles and tweets and stuff we heartbreaking when he knew we were up during the night. He has gotten better now and even puts himself to bed!

Merlin comes for 'naptime' with me during the day, which he sleeps next to me under the duvet. He used to do this just before bedtime too, then when he was sleepy enough we'd put him in his cage on his perch for him to nod off completely!

Now he just does afternoon naps with me, then puts himself to bed. It gets better and less heart wrenching haha. Sounds like he's a right sweetheart, wish Merlin would "i love you" and kisses ^^

 

[Spiritbird]

Have you thought of a sleep cage? It would be smaller than his daytime cage and in a quiet room with very little light. He should be getting 12 hrs. of quality sleep without t music or tv or human noises. My GCC does not like nite nite time either. He sits in his cage and mumbles himself to sleep. Start being quiet gradually about 6:30 pm or so. Turn down lights and other noises. Have a bed time routine every night. That way he will get used to it and know what is coming next.

 

[Customcasket]

I found it took me a week or two to get my 2 conures and 2 keets on the same sleeping and waking schedule. I live at home with my parents so all of the birds are in my bedroom. My father was working nights and sleeping during the day so I got the birds used to going to bed kind of late and sleeping until early afternoon when my father would wake up and uncover them. I felt bad leaving them covered for so long but they're so loud and I knew it would be the only way for my father to sleep during the day.

Now my father is back on the day shift and works 4am-1pm. I put the birds to bed around 9ish when my father goes to sleep (otherwise they're loud and keep him up). I hang out in the room for a bit after I cover them, turn lights&ipod off (they love their music), say goodnight a few times, and turn on a fan I have that is just white noise in the background. This pretty much lets them know its bedtime because it's always the same routine and the same noises. They'll talk a little bit here and there but it's always the sleepy talk. After this I'll quietly sneak out of my room and go hang out in the familyroom finishing homework or papers. I'll only stay in the room if I'm going to read (with a little book light) or watching netflix (on my ipad with headphones on) Occasionally if I wake up in the middle of the night and roll over somebody will wake up and say "hello?" or "goodnight" and I'll just respond back with "goodnight" and then all it quiet again.

I guess your best option would be to follow the same routine night after night and he will eventually learn the bedtime routine of your house since he came from somebody else. It might take awhile for him to catch on but a few sleepless nights and he'll soon learn to go sleepies with you guys.

 

[mrob]

My Teil used to do the eact same thing - just a total love bug that would stay up no matter what if she could be near me =)
It did get a lot better as she got older - i think they are just like human kids that will fall asleep on their feet youd let them!! I just ignored it and she would go to sleep when I did, and eventually she started putting herself to bed early.
Im sad writing this because she recently died, your new boy sounds gorgeous, emjoy every moment!

 

[KevKaos]

Our little CCG, Jellybean, actually cries when he goes back into his cage for sleeping. He makes this little half chirp/half whine sound that sounds like he is wailing with grief. He gets covered, and as heartbreaking as it is, you have to be the adult in this situation and ignore them so they will go to sleep. A bird that is deprived of sleep, either on their own, or due to outside influences, will usually be less than agreeable. It can also be unhealthy for them in the long term.

 

[antoinette]

I had the same problem with Mishka, bought him a night cage. He did not want to sleep in it in the beginning, after about 4 night he calmed down, never had a problem since.he sleeps in my bedroom, where it is quiet. Make sure the room is quit dark (cover the cage).
Good luck

 

[lene1949]

I would always leave a bird in a closed cage at night for his own safety...

 

[IcyWolf]

I would always leave a bird in a closed cage at night for his own safety...

Billy stays in his cage at night but I always leave ziggy's door open. She is not flighted at the moment and never leaves her cage unless I pick her up She is always either inside it or on top of it.