It's been a heavy week for everyone...

Budgie Cookie falling asleep on his owner's hand...

Remember to change your clock this weekend... you and your budgies can sleep in on Sunday! ;)

Picture Intermezzo

Before I get on with Victor's story, I would like to share a photo with you. Because sleeping budgies are so adorable!

Photographer: Serghei Starus

Sleeping Rhythm

Budgies need to sleep during the hours of darkness, just like humans. Did you know that they adapt their sleeping rhythm to yours? When you go to sleep, they usually go to sleep too, and when you're up, they are usually awake too. They love taking naps in the afternoon as well, just like some humans do :)

Or you can try to sleep with a budgie: it's nice and soft and warm...



If it's too bright at night (I used to live in Northern Norway, where the sun never sets during Summer), you'd better cover their cage and remove the cover again early morning. Otherwise they won't get any sleep, and that's not good for anyone. Always let your budgie find its perch before you switch off the light, and never switch on/off the light suddenly. Your budgie's eyes need to accomodate to new light intensities.

Body language of a sleeping budgie

When a budgie sleeps, he usually rests on one leg. The other leg is hidden somewhere in the bellyfeathers and sometimes budgies put their beak in their backfeathers as well. If a budgie sleeps on two legs, it could mean that he is getting ill.

Picture © parkietenfun.nl

If a budgie is resting during the day, he usually rests on one leg with his eyes half closed, making a soft crunching noise with his beak and twittering to himself (maybe some kind of lullaby?). This means that the budgie is completely relaxed and happy. You should not disturb them then :)

Other posts in this series:
Body Language of a preening budgie (Budgie Body Language 1)
Budgie Body Language (2)
Budgie Body Language (3)
Budgie Body Language (4)