Conures, like all birds, require proper sleeping conditions in order to get the rest they need. While conures don’t necessarily need a traditional bed, they do require a safe and comfortable place to sleep at night. Providing an appropriate sleeping space for your conure is an important part of caring for their overall health and wellbeing.
Do conures sleep lying down?
No, conures do not sleep lying down. Birds lack a diaphragm muscle and their respiratory system requires them to remain upright while sleeping. Conures will sleep perched upright, standing on their feet. In the wild, they sleep while perched on tree branches or inside cavities. Domestic conures will sleep while perched on their cage bars or on a perch placed inside their cage.
Why can’t birds lie down to sleep?
Birds are physically incapable of lying down to sleep because their anatomy does not allow for it. A bird’s respiratory system is different from mammals and requires the bird to keep its airway straight and clear for proper oxygen flow. Lying flat would cause a bird’s airway to bend or twist, obstructing their breathing. Birds also lack a diaphragm muscle that mammals use to facilitate breathing while lying down. Staying upright allows a bird’s air sacs and lungs to freely expand and contract as they breathe.
Do conures need a bird bed or hammock?
While not strictly necessary, providing a resting place like a bird bed, hammock, or platform perch can be beneficial for a conure. These beds and perches provide a comfortable spot for the bird to snuggle into as they sleep. The enclosed feeling can help the conure feel more secure and may lead to better sleep. An advantage of beds and hammocks is that they are positioned higher up in the cage so droppings fall through the bars below.
Considerations for conure beds:
- Place beds and hammocks high up in the cage to prevent droppings from accumulating.
- Choose natural fibers like cotton rope that are easy to clean.
- Make sure the bed is an appropriate size for your conure.
- Avoid loose strings or fibers that could entangle toes or be ingested.
- Use a sturdy attachment and clips rated for your conure’s weight.
- Monitor for signs of chewing to prevent ingestion of bedding fibers.
Best placement for a conure sleep space
The best place to set up a sleeping area for a conure is high up in their cage. Conures prefer to sleep as high as possible, mimicking how they would sleep while perched high up in trees in nature. Placing the sleeping space towards the top of the cage prevents the bird’s droppings from accumulating there while they sleep.
Corner platforms or hammocks that are secured where two sides of the cage meet provide both a high perch and a sense of being enclosed. Make sure any hooks or attachments used to hang beds, hammocks, and perches are securely fixed and rated to safely support your conure’s full weight.
Alternative conure sleeping spaces
If you don’t have a traditional bird bed, there are some other options to create a suitable sleeping space for your conure:
- Corner perches – Place a perch in the upper corner of the cage so your conure can wedge themselves into the corner as they sleep.
- Wood platforms – Natural tree branch platforms offer a flat surface for your conure to stand on and can be placed high up or in a corner.
- Tent perches – Enclosed perches help the conure feel more secure while sleeping exposed at the top of the cage.
- Sleeping huts – Hanging enclosed tents or huts provide darkness and privacy for sleeping.
- Cage liner – Some owners prefer to cover the cage floor with fleece that the conure can burrow into.
Setting up the cage for sleep
In addition to providing a proper sleeping space, you’ll want to make sure your conure’s cage is well-equipped for a good night’s sleep:
- Place food and water bowls low down for the nighttime.
- Remove any noisy toys and mirrors that could disrupt sleep.
- Position the cage away from drafts, direct heat sources, and frequented areas.
- Partially cover the cage to signal bedtime but avoid total darkness.
- Play soothing music or nature sounds to drown out ambient noise.
- Make sure perches are varied for foot health and free from droppings.
- Use a cage liner or covering to catch droppings overnight.
How much sleep do conures need?
In the wild, conures sleep for 10-12 hours per night. Pet conures will generally sleep for 8-10 hours each night in cycles. They experience periods of light, REM sleep interspersed with moments of brief wakefulness throughout the night.
Ensuring your conure gets adequate consistent sleep is important for their health. Sleep deprivation can lead to issues like:
- Decreased immunity
- Disrupted hormones
- Poor coordination
- Reduced cognitive function
- Increased aggression
- Feather damaging behaviors
Signs your conure isn’t getting enough sleep
If your conure isn’t getting proper deep sleep, you may notice:
- Daytime napping
- Cranky or aggressive attitude
- Increased vocalizations
- Difficulty focusing
- Decreased appetite
- Poor feather condition
- Self-mutilation behaviors
Making adjustments to their sleep routine, environment, and cage setup can help ensure your conure is getting the rest they require for good health and wellbeing.
Conclusion
While beds are not an absolute necessity for conures, providing some form of enclosed sleeping space can be beneficial for their comfort and feeling of security. Corner perches, tents, hammocks, or platforms located high up in the cage give conures a place to sleep in their preferred roosting position. Combined with proper cage setup and 10-12 hours of darkness, these sleeping spots can help ensure your conure is getting rejuvenating rest each night.