Parakeet parenting is always a pleasant and rewarding experience. Nonetheless, when you bring home a parakeet, you will feel worried, as you might have no idea about caring for a parakeet. For example, what do parakeets eat? How long can they survive without food and water? How long do they live? And so on and so forth.
You will be overwhelmed by such questions. But worry not, Parakeets are one of the most easy-going pet birds.
Bringing your budgie home for the first time can be quite an experience, especially at night. As you will be startled by the movements in the cage, you may wonder: Can parakeets see in the dark?
Can Parakeets See in the Dark?
Yes, parakeets can see in the dark. Thanks to the sheer number of blood vessels, known as Pecten Oculi, present in their eyes, they have a remarkable night vision and can almost clearly see even in complete darkness.
Their wild counterparts rely on their sharp eyesight to detect predators and find food in the grass. And it seems like our pet parakeets have inherited the excellent night vision from their wild cousins.
That said, parakeets do not see as clearly as owls or eagles at night. But their night vision is still far superior to that of humans.
Keep on reading to learn more about parakeets and their night vision!
Parakeet Vision: How Do Parakeets See?
Like most birds, parakeets have excellent eyesight, which is certainly different and far superior to humans. Their eyesight is their most trusted weapon to escape threats and dangers looming in the wilderness.
With their eyes on both sides of their head, they get a wider view of about 300 degrees. They also have the unusual ability to see ultraviolet color, as do most birds. In other words, they are tetrachromats—they possess four different channels of conveying color information and are capable of seeing UV, blue, green, and red light. On the other hand, we are trichromats and have only three independent channels of conveying information regarding colors.
When we look at budgies of the same color, we usually don’t notice any difference. But they have some ultraviolet feathers that make them appear different. Again, we can’t see them, but budgies can see and recognize each other because of this. Parrots and parakeets are more colorful than they appear to us.
They can also see or sense their owner’s energy and mood. They will pick up your vibes (whether you’re upset, moody, tired, or annoyed) and will react according to it. You might not know how sensitive they are to your mood and energy. But it looks like they are certainly seeing the aura and energy waves you are emitting. No wonder they are more comfortable around certain people and quite aggressive with others.
The sharp vision and amazing sense of hearing compensate for their poor sense of taste and smell. These senses help them to recognize their owners. Additionally, they decide whether to eat or leave a food based on their appearance. Instead of smelling the food, they look at the color and freshness to determine whether it is edible or not.
Note!
Not all fruits are healthy for parakeets, but strawberries, watermelon, grapes, blueberries, oranges, and tomatoes are quite nutritional for parakeets and not to mention they love these fruits.
How Can They See at Night?
Parakeets have an abundance of blood vessels around their eyes, known as Pecten Oculi, which enable them to see at night—even in complete darkness—with remarkable clarity and precision.
Parakeets inherited this trait from their ancestors, who had to search for food in the dark since they were less vulnerable to dangers at night. However, at the same time, they needed sharp vision. Now, their eyes are adapted to see well at night.
Are Parakeets Afraid of the Dark?
Parakeets are not really afraid of the dark, but a sudden change in the lightning condition could sweep them off their feet. Similarly, in the dark, they are easily startled by noise and movements around their cage.
Besides that, as their wild ancestors were used to the dark, it is okay for pet parakeets too.
However, it is critical to remember that parakeets in captivity may not have the same traits as their wild cousins. Additionally, it depends on each parakeet individually; how it feels in the dark and whether it needs some light or not.
That said, at night, parakeets should be kept in the dark to simulate the day and night cycle. Moreover, darkness at night is crucial for parakeets to have a good night’s sleep. Having a peaceful sleep at night in the dark is good for the overall health of our budgies.
Why My Parakeet Behaves Strangely in the Dark?
Your pet parakeet can often behave differently, especially if new to a place. You can be concerned about their behavior, but your birdie is just getting used to things around in the dark. It will take some time, and after that, you won’t notice any unusual activity in the cage, even in the dark.
Sometimes, when they are up at night, it doesn’t mean any fear or disturbance on their part. Instead, their instincts are getting active, and they are looking to get active at night.
To make things easy for them, try developing a routine for them. Furthermore, be careful about introducing any new toys at night or even a new fellow as their behavior may be unpredictable.
How Can I Make My Parakeet Calm at Night?
It is quite possible that your parakeet is afraid of the dark or is just not comfortable during nighttime. If it keeps happening for multiple nights in a row, you will have to take some steps to make your little birdie comfortable in the dark.
- Add some perches to give them some height and allow them to be on top, and examine things from the top. It will undoubtedly make them more relaxed.
- Talk to them calmly, in a mild tone. They are extremely sensitive to pitches and tones, and your calming voice can help them in composing well. Since they like music, you might consider playing some music—serene music or nature sounds—to them.
- Adjust the temperature of the room as they aren’t used to cold. You will have to go one degree warmer at night than in the day.
- You can also start covering your parakeet’s cage with a dark-colored cloth.
Is It Necessary to Cover Parakeets at Night?
Many budgie parents love to cover their parakeets at night, and it is actually good for many reasons. It gives your budgies a hint that it’s time to go to sleep. Covering them will make them quiet and give them a sense of security. It is necessary not only for darkness but also for some much-needed warmth. You should make sure that the parakeet cage cover you are putting on your parakeet’s cage is not only durable but also breathable. If you are not sure about the cover’s breathability, you can leave some room for them to breathe easily.
|Disclaimer: We participate in Amazon’s Associates Program. We may earn a commission from the qualifying purchases made via Amazon links found on this page at no extra cost for you.
Will Parakeets Sleep Well in the Dark?
They can sleep well in complete darkness and with the cage covers on. Like the other birds, Parakeets need at least 12 hours of sleep. When they have had enough sleep, they are all fresh, chirpy, eating, playing, flying all around the cage, and grooming themselves. But a series of restless nights will make them dull or sick pretty quickly.
In such a case, they need a good night’s sleep to regain their energy. Compared to humans, they need more sleep. So it may be a good idea to put them to sleep even if you aren’t thinking about sleeping yet. Transfer your pet to a quieter and darker room to help them sleep well.
Facts About Parakeets’ Sense of Sight
- They can see ultraviolet rays, which are invisible to humans.
- When they spend ample time in the sunlight, their feathers start glowing in the dark. It helps them find a suitable mate.
- Parakeets have monocular vision, meaning that they can move and see independently from each eye.
- They have a third eyelid, also known as the translucent nictitating membrane, which is not visible to us but useful for their eyes. It prevents their eyes from becoming dry and dusty.
- Parakeets love colors, but certain intense colors may arouse their aversion—they could just be too intense for parakeets.
Final Verdict: Can Parakeets See in the Dark?
Well, that was a detailed peek into whether parakeets can see in the dark or not. And, it is obvious that they have no problem whatsoever with the dark, thanks to their good enough night vision. But still, they may experience some problems in adjustment to a new place. At first, their behavior may appear strange or agitated. Over time, they’ll settle into a routine. If not, you can make sure they feel comfortable by following the tips mentioned above.