How to Take Care of Pet Birds in Winter

One of the most decisive winter bird care elements is the provision of a warm and stable environment. Different birds do well within a temperature range of 20°C to 28°C. It is very important that their cages be kept away from the windows, doors, or any drafts that can cause them to chill suddenly. A safe room heater or ceramic heat emitter can do the job of keeping the temperature quite comfortable, but it is better not to have any direct heating sources inside the cage to avoid burning or overheating. At night, the use of a thick but still breathable cloth to cover the cage serves not only to keep the heat but also to simulate the natural dark environment that birds are accustomed ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌to.

Proper‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ nutrition is a must if you want to keep your birds healthy through the winter. Animals that can fly have to use a lot more energy to keep their body temperature at a normal level, so it is advisable that the food they get is a mixture of high-energy seeds, grains, and fresh vegetables such as carrots, spinach, and broccoli. There are bird owners who provide their pets with calcium and vitamin supplements as well, but an opinion of a veterinarian would be the best if you are considering a change in their diet. Make sure there is always fresh and clean water for your bird, and never give cold water in winter if you want them to be comfortable and ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌healthy.

Good‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ hygiene is an absolute necessity during the cold months, as the wet and humid conditions that are typical of these months are perfect for bacteria and molds to develop. Making it a habit to wash the eat and drink containers, changing the cage bedding every day or every few days, and disinfecting with products that are safe for birds will keep the infection away. Besides that, drying the cage by making sure it is well-ventilated and giving it a little sunshine from time to time will also be very beneficial to the ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌bird.


Since‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ winter days are shorter, birds may not have access to natural sun rays, which are very important for their vitamin D synthesis and overall mood. In the case that natural sunlight is limited, full-spectrum bird lights should be used to provide them with enough light for 8 to 10 hours daily. It is very important that these birds receive this amount of lighting so that their natural biological rhythms are maintained and they do not suffer from seasonal behavioral ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌changes.


Watching‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ your bird very closely for any signs of cold stress is the difference between your bird getting sick or staying healthy. If such signals come to your attention, warning the bird of the house in a gentle way and getting a professional bird doctor’s guidance as soon as possible is the best thing to do. Don’t forget that with love, proper heating, feeding, and hygiene, your pet bird is not going to live through the cold season but will grow and be a source of happiness to your family throughout the ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌year.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How to keep a pet bird warm in winter?Provide Warmth with a Heated Perch or Thermal Panel
2. Can pet birds survive in the cold?Birds (especially larger parrots) can generally tolerate temperatures as low as the 50s.
3. What temperature is too cold for indoor birds?20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F)
4. Should I put a blanket over my bird's cage at night?Covering a bird's cage mimics their natural nesting habits and protects them from light and drafts.