My blue budgie only moved into his new cage two/three days ago. When he sleeps, he's angled forward like he's going to fall forward almost. Is this quite a common sleeping position?

 

Also, he use to live in an outside aviary where he wasn't covered at night time, but now he's inside in a smaller cage with more distractions, I tried covering the cage once before but he was really scared and fluttered his wings around, so I'm wondering whether I should cover the cage at night anyway and may be he'll get use to it, or leave him as it is.

Edited October 19, 200816 yr by Neat
change to aviary

Hey Mate ...

 

 

Slowly cover him with a cloth that is bigger then the cage... He will get use to it ... Try talking to him when you do this and in the morning when you take it off ....

 

Budgies sleep in all different and funny ways ... There are ones that sleep on the side of the cage, some sleep on their swings ... and some in their seed bowls ....

Edited October 16, 200816 yr by Neat
added more

He would be sleeping that way because he is stressed at the moment and not comfortable enough to tuck his head over his back. On the other hand though, not all birds tuck their heads over their back either.

 

I would cover him fully at night and on 3 sides during the day until he settles in a bit - he may not like it at first, but it will reduce his overall stress.

Edited October 16, 200816 yr by Neat

I noticed Len (my bird) does that sometimes... I'll see if I can take a picture and post it to see if its what you are talking about... He doesn't sleep like it every night just some... not sure why guess he just wants to break the mundaneness of sleeping

Ours sleeps on his swing. It is almost as though that is his bed. When I pick up the cloth to cover his cage, usually no matter where he is or what he's doing when I say "It's time for bed now, goodnight, hop on your swing" he does Very cute.

 

Mind you I tried to peek in on him from the back of the cage once just to have a look and he went crazy. Flying all over the cage and screeching. I must have scared him

Edited October 16, 200816 yr by Lilysbudgie

Merlin sleeps on his swing too Lily and during the day you can find him snoozing at times.

 

Liv is right he is stressed. How long have you had him out of the aviary and into the cage?

Cheekfood, I had problems with a budgie being frightened of the blankie as well. Then someone told me to (as some said) just before bed talk to him (without looking him in the eye a lot) softly and relaxing... whistling softly. Then say something that you will repeat every night before he goes to bed like: "Nighty-Night... time for bed"... routine is just important to them as with a child. That is their only constant and should be respected...

... and then... very important... switch the light off before you put the blanket (covering) over his cage. And do that slowly and softly as well.

 

The next day, talk to him before you lift his blankie. And then slowly lift it off. Sit with him hide your hands. Talk, whistle... let him come out (if he can already) then clean the cage... cleaning the cage while they are in there is not nice for them, especially if it is new. He might just need to get used to his new routine and that takes time.

 

Over time he will get used to the blankie and know that it needs to be put on. By then you can do it any time during the day. Good luck.

Edited October 19, 200816 yr by Neat
typo

Liv is right he is stressed. How long have you had him out of the aviary and into the cage?

3 days

 

Should I give them a few more days before trying the blankie? :budgiedance:

Edited October 17, 200816 yr by cheekfood

Covering them reduces their stress greatly. I would cover them now.

okay shall give it a go tomorrow, thanks everyone for all your help! :rofl: