Can You Keep Birds in Your Bedroom

Birds are cute, cuddly and fun to watch. That’s why some of us have intentions of keeping them together with us in our bedrooms so that we can spend time with them and observing them.

On the other hand, they’re also noisy, messy and sometimes needy, which makes us wonder if it’s worth having them by our side all the time. If you want to keep a bird in your bedroom, here’s what you should know.

Can You Keep Birds in Your Bedroom

Birds can be kept in the bedroom. However, that does not mean that it’s an ideal way to go about it. If you have a spacious home and a conducive living environment, there’s no reason why you should have your birds squeeze in the same bedroom as you.

Just like humans, birds should also have their personal space. Humans and birds have different living habits. And having both living together all day long may cause some hindrances towards each other, especially during resting and sleep times. Both parties need some peace and quiet time so that they can rest well and recharge themselves for the next day ahead. Sometimes, having a bird live together with you in your bedroom is just not the greatest idea.

However, not everyone bird owner has the privilege of having a separate space for their birds. What if you live in a shared apartment that is shared between other housemates? You do not want your birds to be disturbing others. If placed in other areas of the house, your birds could be a disturbance to others. Not to mention, other housemates may not be aware of bird safety, such as the danger of cooking with non-stick coated air fryers around birds. For such scenarios, it is better to have your pet birds kept in your own personal space where they can be safe and secure.

Should I Keep Them Out of the Cage?

Birds are inquisitive animals, and they love to explore their surroundings. If you leave them out of the cage alone in the bedroom, they might start to make a mess or even damage your bedroom if they are not trained.

Certain particular objects in your bedroom could also be hazardous to birds, and they may cause themselves serious harm if not careful. Think about electrical cords, fans, small and sharp objects, etc.

If you are keeping your birds in the bedroom, it is advisable to keep them inside a cage and not let them wander around the room if they are not trained. It would be best if you only let them roam around under your supervision.

Are They Getting Enough Natural Light?

Depending on your bedroom, your birds may not be receiving enough natural light if they are placed in your bedroom throughout the entire day. Remember to give your pet birds some fresh air and natural sunlight every day so that they stay happy and healthy.

On the flip side, never place your birds right by the window for the entire day, especially if that window receives a lot of direct sunlight. Your pet birds will have no means to hide from the sunlight, which could cause them to overheat, resulting in heatstroke, unconsciousness or even death.

Health Risks to Humans

If you have ever had an allergic reaction after handling birds, you know how important it is to take precautions whenever around them, such as good ventilation and fresh air. A bedroom tends to be an enclosed space, giving you more exposure to the dust generated by your birds over time. This could cause an allergy trigger which could be hazardous to your health.

And even if you don’t have allergies. The dry dust generated by the birds from their feathers and droppings over the long run could cause a condition known as bird fancier’s lung (BFL) to form, making your lungs inflamed with granuloma formation. Parrots, cockatiels and parakeets are some common pet birds that are more likely to cause this condition.

Noise & Sleep Disruption to Humans

If you’ve ever had a pet bird before, you’ll know that they can be pretty demanding at times. They require a lot of attention and care, and if you don’t give them what they need, they can become a little noisy.

Birds also start singing as early as 4 am in the mornings. For the majority of us, we are still in the middle of sleep. This could cause sleep interruptions that may affect our well-being, especially over the long run.

If you are a light sleeper, you may want to avoid keeping pet birds in your bedroom so that you have your own space to rest. If you sleep well, you’ll be more happy and energetic when meeting your pets the next day again!

Disturbance to Bird

Likewise, birds may get disturbed by us. A lot of us enjoy watching TV late into the night. Sometimes we even fall asleep with the TV turned on. This could be disruptive to your pet birds’ sleep. If you have to watch some TV before bed, make sure to keep the volume low.

We may also use the bathroom in the middle of the night. The lights and sounds will surely awaken your birds or maybe even confuse them. It would be better to use a bathroom that’s away from your bedroom rather than your ensuite during these hours if possible.

The same goes for snorers. Birds tend to wake up every time someone starts snoring loudly. So if you’re one who snores loudly at night, avoid placing your birds in the same room as you as it may keep them awake.

Snuggling Up on the Bed With Your Bird

We know how cuddly birds can be. Their body heat also provides a comfortable warmth which makes us want to cuddle them to sleep at night. However, you should never snuggle up with your pet bird on your bed at night when going to sleep. Humans, including children, are easily hundreds of times heavier than birds. You could unknowingly rollover your bird in the middle of the night, and your feathered friends will have no way to push itself out of your body weight, which often leads to severe injuries or even suffocation.

Also, by having birds on your bed, you have a higher chance of contracting diseases because you are exposing yourself to their droppings. You may end up contracting psittacosis disease from the bacteria in the faeces, which could lead to pneumonia or lung infection.

Is Your Bird Getting Too Clingy?

It’s natural for birds to develop a strong bond with their human owner. However, if your pet bird is over-attached to you, separation issues may start to form. They may begin to experience separation anxiety and scream whenever you leave the room. These are undesirable behaviours that we do not want to promote.

Separation anxiety is not good for your bird and causes stress in them. Letting your birds have their personal space away from you may help to avoid such issues.

Tips for Keeping Birds In or Away from Bedroom

If you intend to keep birds in your bedroom or are looking to move them out of the bedroom, here are some tips for you.

Air-Conditioning

Make sure your birds are not placed too near your air-conditioning vents. Your pet birds will have no way to escape and have to bear through the cold for the entire night. Air conditioning is also very drying, and the lack of humidity may cause respiratory problems in birds.

Keeping Their Cage Clean

To prevent the accumulation of dirt and dust, it is vital to do some housekeeping. Make sure there isn’t any food spillage around the cage. Also, ensure that all surfaces inside the enclosure are cleaned regularly so they don’t become dirty. This helps to keep the air quality in your room good, which minimizes your health risks.

Use a HEPA Filter Air Purifier

A good air purifier can remove particles smaller than 0.3 microns. If you live in the same space as your birds where dust levels are high, then this type of purification system is recommended. A good quality air purifier is very worth the investment towards your health and well-being. Check out our list of the best air purifiers for bird owners.

Never Leave Them By The Window

Your birds may get overheated in the middle of the day if you place them by the window. Your birds have no way to escape and may not even have a chance to call out to you because you may be away. Always make sure they are placed under the shade or in an area where they do not get direct sunlight exposure.

Observe for Signs of Sleep Deprivation

If you have reason to believe that your bird may be sleep deprived from living with you in your bedroom, you will have to move them to a different area or adjust your nighttime habits. Some signs of sleep deprivation could be:

• Feather plucking
• Excessive screaming
• Aggression
• Unexplainable fear

Using a Cage Cover

There are plenty of reasons why you should be covering your pet bird’s cage at night. Not all birds appreciate their cage being covered, but many do. There are also benefits to doing so, such as minimizing bright lights and controlling the temperature. Just make sure to choose a breathable material for your cage cover.

Using a Sleep Cage

Even if you let your birds roam around freely, you may consider using a sleep cage so that they can be placed in a separate room safely. Many bird owners feel that they get a piece of their life back by doing so. They no longer have to tiptoe their way around their birds at night. Asleep cage also acts as a reminder for bedtime and helps with their sleep cycle.

Never Isolate Your Bird the Entire Day

Keeping your pet bird in a separate space does not mean complete isolation. Birds need to socialize to stay happy and healthy. You must spend lots of time interacting with your bird every single day. Only move them to their own space during sleeping hours.

Companion Bird

If you feel that your bird may get lonely when placed in a separate space all alone at night, you may want to consider introducing a companion bird. Birds, such as parrots, do appreciate a companion as they are inherently social creatures.

Takeaway

It is essential to understand how to care for your birds properly. If you take proper precautions, then there is nothing wrong with keeping them in your bedroom. It is up to you whether this is the ideal sleeping arrangement for yourself and your feathered friends.