Can I safely change my budgie's sleep schedule for my night job?

As long as the light isn't right up against Sunshine's cage it should be fine. If you need to work in the room while she is still sleeping, a cover can be placed on her enclosure to help keep her quiet and sleeping without bothering her from the light change. Placing a cover on at night and removing it in the mornings can also help set a good sleep schedule and reduce night terrors as well.

Thanks for reaching out about Keke. Birds needs 10-12 hours of dark, quiet time to properly rest. If they hear noises, they probably won't sleep. So, a dark sleeping room or you need to stay up late in a different room, are the basic answers. Good luck.

Hi there and thanks for your post! Parakeets are creatures of habit and when you switch out their environment, it can be a bit of a mid life crisis for them! If you have mirrors in the cage right now, that actually encourage reproduction / courtship towards his reflection which can keep him up at night. I would remove any and all mirrors from the cage for now until he is used to the new cage. I would also get a new toy that is unique to this new cage you got. It will take some time but I think this will help. Please feel free to contact me with any other questions / concerns you may have.

I've never hard of having diarrhea only at night, usually birds that are ill or affected by something will be ill or affected at all times, and show other signs of illness such as listless behavior during the day, not wanting to eat or drink, weight loss, etc. A change in diet or too many treats can sometimes cause loose stools as well, so making sure he's on a balanced diet and removing any extra snacks for a few days may help. At night, when it's dark, birds tend to become very quiet and docile, so this could be why he is allowing you to touch him at these times. Placing a night light if he seems scared or is easily startled, or covering the cage at night can help him to sleep better, and it's best not to handle him so that he can rest if he needs it. I would just keep an eye on him, and if the diarrhea continues even during the day, he shows other signs of illness, or he has any new symptoms, then try to convince your parents to take him to a vet.

Many birds, including budgies, will sleep with their heads nestled down over their backs and between their wings, especially at night. This is perfectly normal behavior. However, a bird that isn't feeling well will spend more time with its heads nestled down into its feathers and less time engaging in preening, eating, playing, and other normal activities. A sick bird may also stop vocalizing, sit puffed or fluffed up, sneeze or have discharge from their nares, have loose stools, have stools caked around the vent, and/or pick at its food or not eat at all. So, if your bird seems listless or is exhibiting any of the above symptoms, seek veterinary attention right away.

I would just make the change gradually. And depending on what times you've been keeping him at light and dark adjust by a half hour add a time until you get where you would like to be. Monitor Ringos eating drinking and activity to make sure he doesn't appear stressed and take your cues from him as to how quickly to keep changing. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hi, if Sky is otherwise doing well, eating and defecating normally, active and alert, then I wouldn’t be concerned. Some birds sleep with their head tucked under a wing or in some other similar position. Sky’s neck is bent more in the pictures than what is typical for a parakeet, but it could just be normal for him. However, if you notice any changes or if his neck doesn’t straighten out and remains bent when not sleeping, then this would definitely not be normal and should be evaluated by a veterinarian.