During the day they can be seen singing or foraging, but where do birds sleep at night? Are nest boxes used by birds for sleeping? We answer the questions below.
Eating, singing, flying, laying eggs and raising the offspring - the life of a bird is exhausting and rarely offers the opportunity to relax. The feathered animals are in constant use, especially during the courtship and breeding season. However, since nobody has infinite energy reserves, birds also have to rest and - just like us humans and every other animal - sleep in between. But where exactly do birds sleep? And how do they protect themselves from enemy attacks or winter cold during this time? We would like to answer these and other questions in our informative article.
contents
- How do birds sleep?
- Where do birds sleep at night?
- Where do birds sleep in winter?
- Bird sleep in the nest box? This must be taken into account when cleaning
How do birds sleep?
With the exception of
nocturnal birds Most of the birds sleep at night. Most of the physical processes are shut down and the animals can recover from the stresses of the day. However, their perception is not completely switched off. Most birds are very light asleep and can get themselves to safety at the slightest sign of danger. Some birds, for example ducks, never go to sleep completely, but alternately let only one half of the brain rest in order to be able to keep an eye on their surroundings.
Where do birds sleep at night?
The sleeping places of birds can vary greatly and can be very creative. Most songbirds spend the nights in trees, where they cling to branches. A special clamp mechanism in their legs ensures that they cannot unconsciously open their claws while sleeping and fall from the tree. During the breeding season, bird parents sometimes also sleep in the bird nestto keep the eggs and brood warm.
Other birds, such as the great spotted woodpecker, on the other hand, make special sleeping caves in which they spend the night. Common Swift in turn, are known to sleep in flight. The sailors soar high towards the evening and then rest during a predominantly passive gliding flight that slowly brings them back to the ground. In order not to lose control in the process, swifts never sleep particularly deeply.
Water birds such as geese and swans, on the other hand, mostly sleep in the water - swimming or sitting on small islands - where they are safe from predators while they sleep. Flamingos even prefer to sleep standing up, with the supporting leg stabilized in a similar way to the claws of songbirds.
Where do birds sleep in winter?
In winter or in storms, birds like to sleep a little more sheltered. While most birds roam in pairs during the breeding season, many species can be found, for example Starlings, Tree Sparrows or Wrens, in the cold half of the year together to form smaller sleeping communities. The frequency and size of these communities mostly depends on the cold of winter. The birds can then be found crowded together on branches, in tree hollows or in nesting boxes.
Bird sleep in the nest box? This must be taken into account when cleaning
A nest box not only offers a practical home for a large number of garden birds in summer, but can also offer the feathered animals sheltered accommodation in winter. For this reason, you should definitely leave nesting boxes hanging in winter and clean them either immediately after the breeding season in the late year or again in spring.
More tips on how to properly clean nest boxes and how to make one very easy Build your own nest box, you can find out in our special article.