Sleep deprivation is an underrecognized welfare problem in companion birds, many of whom have inadequate darkness and quiet for the 10-12 hours of rest their physiology requires.
Sleep is a fundamental physiological requirement for birds that is frequently compromised by the human household schedules that companion birds must share. Birds kept in living rooms are exposed to light, noise, and activity until late evening, often receiving only 6-8 hours of darkness rather than the 10-12 hours their biology requires. Chronic sleep deprivation causes immune suppression, behavioral changes, hormonal disruption, and may contribute to feather destructive behavior. Providing a covered sleep cage in a consistently dark, quiet room is a simple and highly effective welfare intervention that many bird owners are unaware of.