Can You Keep a Bird in Your Bedroom?

Where to set up a bird’s main living space is a central question every bird owner must consider. You want a place where your bird can feel like part of the family.

A place where they can enjoy some peace and quiet might also be nice. A bedroom may seem like the perfect place—but is it?

Every room has its pros and cons when it comes to sharing it with a bird. Sleeping in the same room as your bird is usually not the best idea, but we’ve prepared some awesome tips on how to counteract issues that arise.

---

Why is it not advisable to sleep in the same room as your pet?

Allergies or Bird Fancier’s Lung

The dust generated by a bird’s feathers and droppings can trigger severe allergies in some people. Bird Fancier’s Lung is an immune system hyper-reaction that can lead to inflamed lungs, shortness of breath, and chest infections.

Especially dusty birds like pigeons, cockatiels, cockatoos, African greys, doves, and chickens are particularly likely to lead to a serious allergic reaction. However, any bird can increase the dustiness of your home. If you are at all allergic to your bird, your bedroom may not be the best place for him.

Risk of suffocating your bird

Some birds love to snuggle, and it can be tempting to at least nap on the bed with your bird. However, sleeping in the same bed as your bird is never a good idea.

The risk of rolling over and suffocating him is too great. Even if you decide to share a bedroom with your bird, you should each have separate sleeping places.

Noise and sleep disruption

This goes for both you and your bird. If you are a night owl and like to watch television before bed or keep the light on to read, you can disrupt your bird’s sleep.

Even restless tossing and turning can cause your bird to wake multiple times per night. Does this matter?

Yes! A sleep-deprived bird is often a grumpy, nippy bird. Lack of sleep can also lead to serious health issues. Most birds need 10 to 12 hours of sleep every night.

Read more here on how much sleep do birds need.

Your bird can also disrupt your sleep. Most birds will be quiet as long as it is dark. However, parakeets and doves will often coo and chitter as long as there is a hint of a glow outside of the window.

Many birds will wake at the crack of dawn, and their first order of business is likely to be rousing you out of bed as well. This is less than ideal, especially if you need to sleep during daylight hours.

The danger of isolating your bird

Few people spend a lot of time in their bedrooms during daylight hours, and pet birds need a lot of interaction and company. This is one of the main reasons bedrooms are not the best places to keep them.

If a bird feels isolated in a back bedroom, she may take to screaming for attention. She may get angry at being left out of your family’s everyday life and start biting or refusing to go back to her cage.

Isolated birds are also in danger of developing compulsive behaviors to counteract their boredom, such as pulling their feathers, pacing, or chewing on the bars of their cages.

Unless your bedroom doubles as an office or you and your friends spend a lot of time hanging out there, it may be a good idea to choose a more central area in the house to place your bird.

---

Great tips if you REALLY want your bird cage in your bedroom

#1 Clean the bird cage every night

To reduce the risk of an allergic reaction and keep your bedroom smelling fresh, you can clean your bird’s cage every night before putting your bird to bed. Dust tends to settle on the bedding and bars of the cage.

Replacing the bedding and giving the cage a quick wipe-down will help reduce both dust and odor. Newspapers make a hassle-free cage liner that is easily replaced. All-natural but fresh-smelling bedding like pine chips can also keep the cage fresh.

#2 Offer the bird frequent baths

Some birds enjoy splashing around in a dish of clean water. Others like to be misted from a spray bottle. Offering your bird frequent baths will help cut down on the dust in the air, keeping your shared space healthier and cleaner. Most birds will be eager to bathe.

If yours has an aversion to it, you may be able to teach her to enjoy it by rewarding short misting sessions with a treat. Some reluctant bathers will also be willing to bathe in dripping greens hung from the side of the cage. Others may be enticed by a trickle of running water in a shallow sink.

If your bird enjoys baths but doesn’t want one on a particular day, it’s best not to push it. Baths should be offered early enough in the day that the bird is completely dry by bedtime.

#3 Use an air purifier

No matter where in the house you keep your bird, an air purifier is helpful for keeping both your lungs and your bird’s lungs clear. Especially if you have a dustier species, investing in a good purifier is one of the best ways to maintain a clean, healthy atmosphere in your bedroom.

#4 Cover your bird’s cage at night

Most birds will quickly learn to accept a covering over their cage at night. Many even appreciate it. This will allow you to decide when the bird wakes you in the morning while ensuring he gets enough rest no matter how long your computer screen is glowing.

Be sure to choose a safe covering. A lightweight blanket will work, but it needs to be breathable with no loose threads that can catch on your bird’s nails or entangle him. It’s best to cover only three sides of the cage, leaving it out from the wall a bit so your bird gets plenty of fresh air.

#5 Keep things interesting

One of the most important tips for keeping a happy bird in your bedroom is to make sure she still gets plenty of company. Make sure you are still spending several hours a day with her, whether you’re working at a desk in the same room or taking her with you about the house.

Your bird should have plenty of toys to occupy her when she is left alone. Music or a video can occasionally keep her company, but remember these are no substitute for true companionship. Your bedroom should never feel like solitary confinement for your bird.

Do check out our helpful on how to choose a safe toy for your bird.

#6 Invest in a few play stands or bird trees

It’s helpful to have one or two play stands or bird trees in other rooms of the house. This is so your bird will have a place to hang out with the family.

This will free you to give the bird plenty of time outside the bedroom as you go about your usual daily routine. If play stands and bird trees are a bit too pricey for you, instructions for DIY stands are readily available online.

---

Choosing the best location for your bird

Wherever you end up placing your bird’s cage, it’s helpful to keep a few conditions in mind for both your health and happiness and your bird’s.

• The cage should be in a temperature-controlled area that is free from drafts. This rules out most garages, porches, and entryways. Make sure that your bird’s cage is not in the direct flow of an air vent or too close to a window.
• It should be in a room frequented by you and your family, but outside of the main traffic areas. The cage should be placed against a wall or in a corner so that the bird feels secure and can retreat a bit from the action if she wishes to. Kitchens are not always safe due to toxic coatings on pans, hot surfaces, etc. Frequently used living rooms, sitting rooms, offices, or dining rooms within sight of the rest of the house are good options.

• Don’t place your bird’s cage directly in front of a window or very close to the TV. This can stress him or cause him to be excessively noisy. The ability to see the window or TV is nice, but he should also be able to retreat from it.
• Keep your bird’s area meticulously clean. This is for both your bird’s health and well-being and your own. Bedding/cage lining should be changed frequently. Vacuuming and washing down the bars and food dishes will keep dust, food, and bacteria from building up and creating odors.
• Incorporate other bird-safe areas within your home. Although it’s fine for your bird to ride around on your shoulder while you do many of your everyday activities, you will be more likely to let her be out and about more frequently if you have a play top cage or play stand where she can hang out while you do tasks you don’t want a bird’s “help” with. Also, if your bird is reluctant to step down from her cage, another stand will give you a place to put her down quickly when you want to answer the door or pull something from the oven.