Keeping Your Parrot Warm: Essential Winter Care Tips For Indoor Birds
As temperatures drop, it’s easy to forget that our feathered companions feel the chill too. Many of our pet birds are native to tropical areas and are naturally adapted to warm stable climates. Even indoors, the winter cold can be a serious challenge for them. Drafty windows, cool night-time temperatures and dry air from heaters can all affect your parrot’s health.
Pet birds (including our native pets) are particularly sensitive to cold because they lack the insulating fat and thick plumage of wild birds that have adapted to variable climates. Prolonged exposure to low temperatures can weaken their immune system, leaving them vulnerable to respiratory infections, stress and other serious health issues. We also often see an escalation in conditions such as arthritis and feather plucking during winter time.
Keeping your parrot warm during winter isn’t just about comfort - it’s about protecting their well-being. The following contains some tips that you should keep in mind for your pet birds in winter.
Understanding Your Parrot's Needs In Winter
Unlike their wild counterparts, pet birds are not acclimatised to cope with fluctuating or extreme outdoor temperatures. Most parrots (including natives) come from tropical or subtropical regions and rely on the consistent, warm environment of your home to stay healthy. The ideal temperature range for most pet birds is between 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F). When temperatures fall below this, especially during cold nights, or sudden cold snaps, birds can quickly become stressed. Prolonged exposure to cold can lead to common illnesses such as respiratory infections, hypothermia and weakened immunity, which can make them more susceptible to other diseases. Subtle signs of discomfort like fluffing up feathers, reduced activity, or changes in appetite, can quickly escalate into more serious health concerns if not addressed promptly. Birds will hide illness, so by the time they are symptomatic it’s already serious. It’s important to note that sick birds often lose their ability to thermoregulate, so exposure to extreme temperatures for an already sick bird can quickly become fatal. It is therefore even more important to keep temperature in mind if your pet bird has a pre-existing condition or is very young/elderly.
Safe Types of Heating and Humidity Levels For Your Bird
It’s important to choose bird-friendly heating options. Oil-filled radiators and ceramic space heaters without Teflon or exposed elements are good choices, as they provide steady warmth without releasing harmful fumes. However, most heaters can dry out the air, which can irritate a bird’s sensitive respiratory system. Dry indoor air can lead to issues like flaky skin, dry nares (nostrils), and increased risk of respiratory infections. To counteract this, consider using a bird-safe humidifier to maintain a comfortable humidity level. The ideal indoor humidity for most parrots is around 40%-60%. Signs your bird may need more moisture include sneezing, crusty nostrils, or itchy dry skin. There are air filters on the market that provide real-time feedback on air quality, including humidity levels, temperature and potential pollutants. Some of these such as the Dyson hot/cool air filter will give you a safe form of heating a room while helping maintain air quality. Keeping air both warm and properly humidified is key to helping your bird stay healthy through the winter months.
Cage Placement and Your Internal Setup Matter
Where you place your bird’s cage can make a big difference in how well they cope with winter. Avoid setting the cage near windows, doors, or drafts areas, as even small air leaks can cause cold spots. Instead, position the cage in a draft-free, centrally heated room where the temperature stays consistent. At night, covering the cage with a breathable, bird-safe cover can help retain warmth and provide a sense of security. That said, a full cover makes the cage more nest like so can also trigger unwanted hormonal behaviour, so sometimes a partial cover such as a cozy corner is a safer option. Inside the cage, consider using wider thicker perches or a platform. If they have the option, a bird will cover their feet to maintain their warmth. This is much easier on a thicker perch or platform perch because they will be able to squat down comfortably. Otherwise they have to stand on one foot while warming the other, expending precious energy maintaining their balance. Thick natural perches with good bark coverage (for grip) are the best choice. All of these items are available for purchase at the clinic online store pet-shop.au. As a general rule, we don’t recommend thermal perches due to the dangers of electrocution if a bird chews them. If you need an extra external heat source, consider reptile heat lamps with ceramic globes. It is important that the bird does not access the globe directly or the electrical cords. The clinic quakers lover their snuggle up wall heater! Remember, a thoughtfully placed and well-equipped cage will help your bird feel comfortable and protected from the winter chill.
Nutrition to Support Warmth
Proper nutrition plays a vital role in helping your parrot stay warm during the colder months. In winter, birds may use more energy to maintain their body temperature, so providing a slightly higher-calorie diet can support their natural heat production. Healthy, energy-rich foods such as nuts, seeds and whole grains (in moderation) can give your bird that extra boost without compromising balanced nutrition. Offering warm, bird-safe foods, like cooked quinoa, sweet potato, or vegetable mash, can also be comforting and help maintain internal warmth. It’s equally important to ensure your parrot stays well-hydrated, as dry winter air air can lead to dehydration.
The clinic adjusts the bird food mixes that we make and sell, seasonally in order to meet the higher calorie needs of birds in winter. The obvious advantage of this is the food is fresher than what you can buy in the average pet shop/supermarket and avian vets have specifically adjusted our formulas to meet seasonal requirements. There is a reason oour aviary mixes in particular get adjusted - those birds are outside and feeling the weather.
Always consult with an avian vet before making significant changes to your bird’s diet, but small seasonal adjustments can make a big difference in keeping your feathered friend healthy and warm.
Keep Your Birds Moving: Using Enrichment to Maintain Warmth
Just like us, birds generate body heat through movement, and staying active is key to keeping them warm in winter. Providing plenty of enrichment not only keeps your parrot mentally stimulated but also encourages physical activity that helps maintain their body temperature. Rotate toys, introduce new foraging challenges, and create safe spaces for supervised out-of-cage play to keep them engaged and moving. Encourage your bird to fly or climb regularly - this natural exercise promotes circulation and warmth. You can even set up indoor “obstacle courses” or use treat-based games to get them moving. Doing this can help prevent your bird displaying unwanted behaviours such as screaming. A cold, confined bird is very likely to scream to warm themselves up. Give them another more enjoyable option to stay warm and they won’t choose screaming.
Ensuring Your Bird Gets Enough Light In Winter
In winter, shorter days and reduced sunlight can disrupt your bird’s natural biological rhythms, affecting their mood, energy and immune health. Birds rely on light - especially UVB rays - to regulate sleep cycles and to synthesise vitamin D3, which is essential for calcium absorption and strong bones. Without adequate light, parrots may become lethargic, stressed, or develop calcium-related health issues. Since natural UVB exposure can be limited in winter, supplementing with a full-spectrum bird-safe UVB light can be very very helpful.
While placing your bird near a window may seem like a good source of light, sunlight through glass windows does not provide full-spectrum UVB as most UVB rays are filtered out by the glass. Therefore, window light alone is not sufficient for your bird’s health needs no matter the time of year.
When selecting a light globe, pay attention to wattage and placement. UVB lighting should always be placed above a bird, not from the side. Lower wattage globes should be placed no more than 15cm from the closest point that can reach the top of the bird’s head. Higher wattage globes can be placed further away, but the most common recommendation is 30cm above the highest point a bird’s head can reach. We recommend using a light for approximately 3-6 hours a day. It’s important to remember that UVB bulbs lose effectiveness over time, even if they are still emitting light. Current recommendations suggest globes should be replaced every 3 months because their UV output will be below useful levels after this time. The more they are used, the faster they wear out. Be aware that some types of light bulbs (particularly the red light emitting heat globes) have been linked with causing cataracts in birds. It should also be noted that some forms of light can be unsettling to birds. There are studies that have concluded different coloured lights on deep sea oil rigs (particularly red lights) have negatively impacted the migratory navigation of some birds. Those oil rigs rectified the situation by switching to blue lights. It should be noted that this is an ever evolving field of study, so our knowledge and present day recommendations will change over time as we learn more. As a precautionary measure, we suggest you ensure a bird can always get out from under a light source - so provide a light gradient within your setup.
Recognise the Warning Signs of Cold Temperature Stress
Even with the best care, birds can sometimes be affected by cold stress, and it’s important to know what to watch for. Signs that your bird may be too cold include constant fluffing of feathers, shivering, tucking one leg up for long periods, pressing their tail into a perch to maintain balance, or appearing less active and lethargic. You might also notice changes in appetite, vocalisation, or breathing, such as wheezing or tail-bobbing. These symptoms can quickly escalate into serious health problems, such as respiratory infections or hypothermia, if left untreated.
If you notice any of these signs, or if you’re unsure whether your bird’s environment is adequately warm and healthy, it’s best to consult with an avian vet as soon as possible. Remember, birds hide illness until they can’t hide it anymore. By the time a bird is showing symptoms - it is already serious. Early intervention can make all the difference in keeping your feathered friend safe and well during the winter. Book a winter bird wellness check-up today to ensure your bird is thriving, no matter how cold it gets outside.
Such great advice and came at a good time as we are just beginning Winter here . I was wondering how to prepare my Galah for Winter .so have a few things I can do today thanks to your advice . Just one thing I would like to know . I regularly give him a fine mist because he won’t go near water except for a drink . Should I continue this or stop for Winter . Thank you
Amazing ❤️ thank you