Pet parrots do not tolerate the cold very well. While some wild parrots have adapted to colder temperatures in winter, pet parrots are adapted to the temperature in which they were raised. It is unlikely that an indoor parrot can withstand living outside in the cold.
Furthermore, most parrots kept as pets are biologically adapted to warmer temperatures, their ancestors being from places like South America and Africa. They are therefore less likely to tolerate the cold.
Owners who raise parrots in outdoor aviaries claim that birds can endure lower temperatures in winter if they have been acclimated over time through short but frequent exposures to lower temperatures.
However, it is generally safer to ensure that your birds are warm indoors during the cold months of the year.
How to keep your pet parrots warm in winter?
Parrots are much more sensitive to drafts than we are. Even if we can’t feel anything, they can. It is therefore important to keep your parrot away from doors and windows.
At the same time, make sure that your heating does not dry out the air in the room where your bird is located. Birds have sensitive respiratory tracts, and dry air can also make them sick. If your heating dries out the air in the room, you can use a humidifier to restore natural humidity. Regular misting can also be helpful.
Covering your parrot’s cage at night is also a good way to keep it warm and protect it from potential temperature drops.
What is the ideal temperature for your parrot?
The ideal temperature for birds is between 18 and 22 degrees Celsius, although parrots can tolerate temperatures up to 29 degrees.
Any temperature below 4 degrees Celsius can be dangerous for your bird. Heavier birds can suffer from thermal stress above 30 degrees Celsius.
Parrots benefit from stable temperatures, so it’s good to ensure that a similar or identical temperature is maintained in your home day and night.
What are the signs that your parrot may be cold?
Parrots may show an abnormal and increased appetite when they are cold. This helps to boost their metabolism and maintain their body temperature.
Your parrot may be cold if:
- it fluffs its feathers;
- buries its beak in its chest;
- squats to cover its feet with feathers and shivers.
If your parrot is cold, it may also become lethargic and lose its appetite.
What are the symptoms that may suggest your parrot has caught a cold?
Parrots don’t really catch “colds”. However, they are sometimes prone to respiratory infections. Here are some symptoms indicating that your bird may be suffering from a respiratory illness:
- Loss of appetite;
- Sneezing;
- Coughing;
- Excess urine;
- Lethargy;
- Ruffled feathers;
- “Nasal” discharge.
Birds tend to get sick when exposed to drafts or fluctuating temperatures.
When parrots are sick, they may try to conceal their symptoms. This is an instinctive survival strategy they have developed in their natural environment. In the wild, showing symptoms of illness can make them vulnerable to predator attacks.
What is the best type of home heating for parrots?
The best type of heating for a parrot is central heating.
The types of heating to avoid are those that produce smoke and emissions, as birds have very sensitive respiratory tracts. In this case, it’s best to keep your bird in another room.
Whatever type of heating you use, it is important to maintain a stable ambient temperature and monitor your bird.
If it huddles, buries its beak in its neck, and squats so that its feathers cover its feet, it may be cold.
Although this article is dedicated to parrots and the dangers of cold, one should not overlook the inherent dangers of heat either… Signs that your parrot is too hot include open-mouth breathing and holding its wings away from its body. In severe cases of overexposure to excessively high temperatures, your parrot will be unbalanced when it moves and will be subject to “seizures”. In this case, consult your veterinarian immediately.
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