What exactly is night fright?

[Musetta]

I have seen this mentioned in several posts but I am wondering what it is (simply when birds become scared by things that go bump in the night?), what causes it, symptoms, how common, etc...

[debbie276]

If there is a sudden loud noise or maybe even a flash of light the birds get startled and try to flee the "predator". Most times they slam into the wire of the cage and things in their environment. Usually they regain their senses and go back to perching but there are times that they do serious harm to themselves and could possibly break a neck, have a heart attack etc.
Some people have little lights on 24/7 around the cages. I have never had little lights but my aviaries are in an area that gets natural moonlight so that may help.

[cindy]

it is sort of like you walking into a dark room and someone jumps out of a closet at you, you are startled, you may loose your balance and stumble into things trying to get away from what it is that scared you.

With birds they panic in the night if something startles them, something they are not use to. I can even be a cage buddy that plucks them while sleeping and they try to get away from it and may hit the cage walls or fly about frantic like.

To lessen the chances of it happening it is suggested to leave a dim light or night light on near the cage so the bird can fly safely to another part of the enclosure or back to the nest.

[Musetta]

Thank you both!

[EyesofFreedom]

Also be careful if your birds are in a separate room and you just shut the lights off... the sudden darkness will upset them as well...

Mine are in the living room... I turn off the lights but leave the tv on for 30 minutes which reduces the light and but doesn't go totally dark all of a sudden... they usually get the hint and roost and when the tv goes off they are out for the night...

[Musetta]

EyesofFreedom, thanks! Mine are by a big window w blinds open 24/7 so it gradually gets dark when the sun goes down. I keep a nightlight by their cages. I do feel bad when, occasionally, I have to grab something from my office (their room) after dark. They don't seem too alarmed when I turn on the light, but I would prefer to do it in a less obtrusive manner. Would it be a better idea to use a flashlight? They definitely do NOT like it when I creep around in the dark (hence my original query about night fright).

[EyesofFreedom]

You can take a flashlight app on a smartphone and use a red light to see with... it will have the least affect on them

[Musetta]

Thanks! I'll try that next time.