Parrots are a wonderful addition to any home. They provide companionship and entertainment for their owners, as well as being great learning tools for children. But have you ever stopped to think about how they stay warm in the winter?
Parrots are cold-blooded animals, which means that they need to warm their internal body temperature by basking in the sun, however, this isn’t always possible during the colder months.
If your parrot is indoors it can be difficult to provide adequate warmth for them so you may have to take special measures.
Heated cage
The first thing you should do is make sure your bird has a heated cage. If they are not in the house, make sure their outdoor enclosure is well insulated and has plenty of room for them to move around.
You can also supplement with parrot-safe heating pads for warmth.
Parrots generate heat through their body so if you see your birds shivering or holding onto things like perches or branches tightly, this may be an indication that they’re cold.
Warm Your Parrots Room
Many people think that it’s fine to keep their parrots in an unheated room during the winter however this isn’t true. Parrots are not able to generate heat by themselves so they need something to help them heat up throughout the day, such as a heated perch or heating pad within their enclosure.
If you live in an area that experiences cold winters, it is important that the room your bird is in is adequately heated. To avoid drafts from doors or windows, make sure these areas are closed off with curtains or draft guards.
Birds can’t tolerate extreme temperatures like humans do so it’s best to err on the side of caution when deciding what temperature is appropriate for them.
Make sure you also keep a thermometer in the room to help monitor the temperature and be sure that it doesn’t fall below 60 degrees Fahrenheit or rise above 80 degrees. You can use a heat lamp as well but make sure your parrot isn’t able to touch it as this could burn them.
Supplement with heated perches
If your parrot is not in the same room as you during the day, make sure they have an ample number of heated perches to accommodate them. You can buy premade ones or make your own by purchasing heating pads meant for reptile pets and wrapping them around wood dowels or branches.
Be sure to remove the perches in the evening and during the day when they’re out of their cage so that they don’t get too hot and burn your bird.
Can birds live outside in winter
Birds are tricky to understand. They’re not like other animals that hibernate, but they do migrate in the winter when it gets too cold for them. What does this mean for your backyard? Can birds live outside in winter?
There are some bird species that can survive the harsh winters in North America, while others will fly south before the first snow falls. The type of bird you have and where you live will impact whether or not they can stay outside all year round.
If you want to keep a pet bird as a companion then make sure that they’ll be happy living outdoors during colder months and remember what type of climate zone your area is located within; if it’s an arctic zone maybe reconsider taking on such a feat!
Fortunately, it is possible to keep your feathered friends warm and safe with these four tips:
- Provide shelter from the elements by providing thick foliage or brush piles in which they can build their nests.
- Put up netting around any feeders so that the birds are less likely to come into contact with predators.
- Make sure there are plenty of water sources available, especially if you live in an area where natural precipitation may not be enough.
- When feeding birds outside during cold weather, use foods high in fat content like suet cakes or seeds mixed with peanut butter or raisins. This will help them stay warm on.
How to keep birds warm outside
Birds are always looking for a nice warm place to relax and enjoy the winter months. Unfortunately, many birds can’t find a suitable place outside and will end up spending time in your home.
To avoid this, try providing them with an outdoor shelter so they have somewhere else to go during cold weather.
Check out these six important tips for keeping birds warm in winter.
- Put up a bird feeder with food that will attract them such as sunflower seeds, cracked corn and peanut butter.
- Keep the water from freezing by hanging your hose or mister so it drips into a pan or bucket.
- Provide shelter from the wind with bushes, shrubs and trellises.
- Hang branches near trees and buildings to provide safe roosting sites for nesting adults and juveniles alike.
- Cover the ground beneath dense trees with leaf litter or pine needles.
- Draw attention to any isolated areas of open ground by scattering seed over it.
