Do birds sleep?
Sarah Martinez
Updated on February 22, 2026
Unless they are in a state of torpor, birds tend to sleep in small snatches until startled awake either by a predatory threat, neighbor, or cold conditions. Some can even sleep with one eye open, as half of their brain is alert while the other is asleep.
How long do bird sleep for?
Let Your Bird Have 10 To 12 Hours Of Sleep Each NightMost pet birds do best with between 10 and 12 hours of darkness a night. This is a generality; some species do better with a little more than 12 hours of sleep, others like less than eight, but most need somewhere around the 10 to 12 hour mark.
What do birds do when sleeping?
Sleeping on Cold Nights
- Many bird species, most notably hummingbirds, can enter a state of torpor when they sleep. ...
- Birds that gather in large roosts or join together in cavities or roost boxes can share body heat as they sleep. ...
- Birds tuck their bills into their shoulder or backs while sleeping.