How much sleep is normal?

[Jennefer]

Ok so we got Chewy. He’s a blue masked lovey, according to his breeder he hatched between November 17-21 (I’m doubtful as he looks a little older if I google images), fully weaned and just fledged the nestbox.
He was not handled at any time, yet didn’t try to bite as the breeder chased him down with a net in his cage (I cringed, couldn’t wait to get him out of there!).
He basically gave me every wrong advice that he could have possibly given (good thing I did my research!) from wing clipping being an absolute must if I intend to tame it, to attempting to show me how to “handle him daily” by literally chasing him down in his cage and force holding him down!
I’m super impressed by this little bird for remaining so calm and curious on the ride home, and he seems to enjoy us talking to him and is tolerating us near him.
We’re not forcing the issue off course and taking it slow.
He had a metal bowl full of seeds at the bottom of his previous cage, and I have the type of feeder that’s attached to the cage, and he found his water yesterday already in this attachment but I have not seen him eat yet. He’s pooping alright, and when we interact with him he’s seemingly alert (not scared) and exploring his cage ok.
But as soon as we pull away a bit he perches down and sleeps... with his wing kind of droopy?
I’m attaching a picture of the wing position when perched to rest and when alert...Again, he seems otherwise alert and healthy. Is this something to worry about?
I’ve also put some millet that he’s not interested in, and tried putting some food on the bottom of the cage for familiarity. He looks at it but he’s not going to it.
Any advice?

 

[SailBoat]

Sleep is one of those subjects that has a very simple answer: It depends!!!

If you watch the activities of wild birds just outside your window, you will note that during the year, things change! And, depending on just how far North or South you are, they can change greatly!!! What is changing is the length of the natural day. And, if you are a bit of a nerd, you may have caught that in the Great White North, our days are at the starting point of becoming longer each day!

There are two basic groups with a number of sub-groups with opinions as to what is the best for their Parrots and where they live. Since, the vast majority of Humans live between and along the center belt and about half-way between the two poles, lets target that largest group of us!

- Group One: 12 hours of Sleep and 12 hours of Wake!
- Group Two: Sleep pattern follows the available night-time darkness!

Group One pattern works best the closer you are to the two Poles. Or in homes with widely swinging schedules. The goal is to keep the Parrot's World steady, a Steady State, if your will.

Group Two pattern works best for those who are in the largest population group and have a fairly steady life style and also are willing to adjust or can adjust to the Natural Cycle of the Sun during the year.

Group Two, assure that the Parrot will likely follow a more natural year in it's activities, i.e. it's Hormonal Season will be predictable year to year.

Group One, could limit or greatly reduce the onset of Hormonal Season. That said, it can also, without very watchful and mindful oversight of the Human bring on a Hormonal event at near anytime of the year.

This is one of those open discussion that most everyone will have an opinion on. But in general, they will be variations on the two groups listed above. At the end of the day, it has to work with both you and your Parrot! Get is wrong and you will have a Hormonal Parrot in your face! Get it right and at least for the majority of the year, you will have a peaceful relationship!

FYI: I will let others cover your many additional questions.

Enjoy!

 

[Jennefer]

And the wing is ok this way?
I’m in the Dutch Caribbean by the way lol

 

[SailBoat]

And the wing is ok this way?
I’m in the Dutch Caribbean by the way lol

Parrots, especially young Parrots will hold their Wings at different levels! With younger Parrots its more an issue of growing-up and developing strength. With older Parrots its a combination of 'Body Language' and whether they have just completed a flight or not!

Regarding Health Issues: It is also possible that the placement of the Wings is a sign of the Parrot not being healthy. The effects of an illness can draw energy and the wings slightly dropped, plus other indicators, is note worthy. NOTE: The changing of your Parrots wing position is an indication that it is not an issue regarding health.

The overall appears of your new, young Parrot appears to be an issue of just being young!

FYI #1: Placing multiple, unrelated questions in the same Thread can limit number of viewers and also responses! Grouping like questions will help both you and others who have like questions. Yup, you're new and have lots of questions. Have no fear in placing too many Threads.

FYI #2: You will likely be better served by following a natural day with your Parrots sleep schedule!

 

[Kiwibird]

I have never had lovebirds, but in my experience, domestic parrots can be rather lazy creatures and sleep quite a bit. My bird gets about 12 hours of sleep a night (or at least, his covers are on for about 12 hours) and STILL takes and afternoon nap. He tends to be most active (like he ate some bird crack level active) in the mornings and evenings but rather subdue in the afternoon.

It's important to keep your bird busy with toys, foraging, being out with you etc... but napping or being subdue during the day is fairly normal. The wing "drooping" in your pictures is how they relax. We call it putting the wing flaps down. Our bird does that when content, happy and relaxing on a favored perch.

 

[bill_e]

I give Nike 12-14 hours of darkness a day. I have never actually seen her with her eyes closed. The long period of darkness has greatly reduced her hormonal swings.

My prior parrot of 39 years was never covered and as such experienced the same amount of light and dark as we did. She would always take naps during the day.

 

[Jennefer]

Awesome! Thanks everyone! I rearranged his food and water a bit to be more as his previous home, and it worked! He’s eating and drinking, bathed in his water lol and happily shredding the paper inside. He’s coming alive now

 

[Soyajam]

Hey Jennefer!

If you've only had Chewy a few days you'll find his behaviour won't make much sense for a few weeks. Until then, if he's eating, pooping, chirping and snoozing - you'll be fine for the most part!

I asked about droopy wings in another thread funnily enough - Remi, my 4 month old does exactly the same thing when she's relaxed. Sometimes they go in funny angles! As long as she picks 'em up when she perks up its OK.

I started our bedtime strictly at 8:30pm regardless of ambient light levels (although we can achieve near darkness in the room she sleeps in) - although this isnt always set in stone. Sometimes she's hyper until 9-10pm, other times it seems shes screeching for bed at 8pm. I guess it depends on her day.
My partner (the morning lark) tells me he can hear her walking about in her cage about 6am, so if she's in bed at 8:30 that's about 9.5hrs. I am almost certain she naps during the day while we're at work so that's the minimum.

I think this will change with the seasons, with her age, and with us. I aim for 12 hours combined sleep per day but don't freak as long as it's relatively consistent.

Hope this helps!