Red-Bellied Parrot questions

[Riz]

Hi,
I have a couple of questions.
1. I have a 5 month old Red-bellied parrot. Is it necessary to cover the cage at night, or is it ok just to leave it open?
2. It is getting cooler here in IL and when I got up this AM, the temperature in our bedroom was about 60-65 degrees. Is this too cold for my little friend?
3. Is there a safe way to heat a cage to a warmer temperature than the rest of the room the bird is in if this is too cold?

Thanks,
Riz

 

[MonicaMc]

1. I have a 5 month old Red-bellied parrot. Is it necessary to cover the cage at night, or is it ok just to leave it open?
As long as Perry receives 9-14 hours of sleep per night, it is not necessary to cover the cage. Some birds may feel more secure with a cage cover, some birds may hate a cage cover, but overall, for the most part, they are not required as long as the bird gets enough sleep at night. If people stay up late in the same room as Perry, then a cage cover may be warranted.

2. It is getting cooler here in IL and when I got up this AM, the temperature in our bedroom was about 60-65 degrees. Is this too cold for my little friend?
Typically, whatever you are comfortable with, your bird should be as well... and birds have feathers, including insulating feathers to keep them warm when it gets cold... meaning that parrots, in general, can handle cooler temperatures better than we can.

Watch out for concerns such as a parrot fluffed up (may be cold) or one with sleek feathers and panting (over-heated).

3. Is there a safe way to heat a cage to a warmer temperature than the rest of the room the bird is in if this is too cold?
There are heated perches, ceramic heat bulbs and heating panels that may warm up a small area around them. The perches and panels you can buy from online vendors and the bulb you might be able to find at a hardware store. It will require a special lamp as well.

 

[aliray]

I don't cover any of my birds at night, and they do just fine ,at least they have so far. That way they can get up with the sun since they each have a sliding glass door panel behind their cage overlooking a roofed over screened in lani and the back yard. My female red bellied parrot Tiki is around seven months old and she is a real cuddlebug. They seem to have really sweet dispositions