Can Cockatiels See in the Dark?

Cockatiels, or Nymphicus hollandicus as they are scientifically known, are crested parrots belonging to the cockatoo family. These Australian natives are entirely diurnal and rely on sight as their primary sense for finding food, evading predators and communicating with one another. They are active exclusively during the day, and in the wild they spend their nights concealed in tree trunks and other cavities. They are unable to see in the dark.

  1. Diurnal Behavior

    • Cockatiels use their keen daytime vision for just about everything. They use their excellent color vision to spot fruit and vegetable food in their open woodland homes. They use their nearly 360-degree field of view to spot predators swooping down from above or approaching from below. Most of all, they use vision to communicate with one another. Cockatiel communication relies on an elaborate system of body language, mostly signaling with their crests. Unlike the more talkative parrots, cockatiels need to see one another and their human friends in order to communicate. This is, in part, why they tend to find the dark very disturbing.

    Sleeping Spots

    • Cockatiels sleep in very concealed spots in the wild. They're known as "secondary cavity nesters," which means they take over natural holes or ones built by someone else. Pet cockatiels pick one special sleeping spot in their homes and return to it every single night. They appreciate cage furniture that replicates their natural sleeping choices, such as a little sleeping "house" inside their big "house."

    Night Frights

    • Enclosed spaces are important for cockatiels because they need to feel like they are out of sight of predators. This gives them a feeling of security because, once darkness falls, they can't see what's coming. In fact, cockatiels are known for night-time panics at any unfamiliar night-time stimulus -- noises, changes in the room where they sleep, even someone passing through. The more security you can give them in their sleeping quarters, the more you reduce the risk of these panics.

    Sleep Security

    • There are a few additional steps you can take to make sure your cockatiel feels like night is a safe time. Experienced cockatiel keepers recommend using a nightlight in the room where your cockatiel sleeps. It's also good policy to always wait until your cockatiel is inside her chosen sleeping site before you turn off the lights. Sudden darkness when she's away from her sleeping spot will induce panic, and even though the cage is a small, familiar space, most cockatiels can't find their way to their sleeping perches in the dark.