Like all birds, cockatoos need proper sleep for good health. They are very choosy about the place to sleep. Let’s talk about where cockatoos like to sleep.
Cockatoos sleep on branches of tall trees and inside the cavities of dead palm trees. They sleep for almost 10-12 hours a day. (1) They usually choose a site close to a watercourse. But they always sleep on heights to protect themselves from ground predators at night.
Since they grip branches, they seem to be standing while they sleep, but they are not exactly standing. And the ones that sleep inside tree cavities appear sitting on the nest bedding.
Do Cockatoos Sleep Only at Night?
Cockatoos can sleep in the daytime, too, but it is more like a short nap. They need silence and darkness to sleep properly. Moreover, they like to take advantage of the daylight to find food, nest, mate, and fly around rather than sleep.
Sleep Cycle of Cockatoos
The sleeping pattern of cockatoos varies with their environment. Let’s discuss how their sleep sites and pattern differs in the wild and captivity.
In Wild
In the Wild, they sleep according to their natural sleep cycle. They start flying back to their nest in the evening, no matter where they are. They sleep early at night because cockatoos are diurnal; they cannot see at night. Staying out in the open at night can be dangerous for them.
Cockatoos usually screech before their sleeping time; it is natural. They sleep till the sunlight appears, and then they start their activities.
In Captivity
Since, in captivity, cockatoos cannot fly and choose a site to sleep on, they depend on their owners. Cockatoos need 10-12 hours of sleep in captivity too.
They must be provided absolute darkness and silence at night. Installing some wood perches, branches, and nest boxes in their cage encourages good sleep.
Final Thoughts
Wild cockatoos can take care of their sleep, but captive cockatoos rely on their owners. If cockatoos do not sleep well, they can get stressed, leading to aggression and sickness. They can start biting, stop playing much and lose health.
If your cockatoo’s body language shows similar signs, he might be sleep-deprived. Make sure he is given a comfortable environment to sleep in.
