About Us

ABOUT US, HOW HIDE N SLEEPS BEGAN AND WHY

We want you to know that our love for all birds (and wildlife) runs deep and goes back years. You will see this in our bit of personal history. Also see a glimpse of how Hide N Sleep™ and Sunrise Solutions began and how it ties in to our passion for helping birds. In that light, this page will also help you learn the benefits of why Privacy, Choices and Security are so important to all birds and how our Hide N Sleep™ fills those needs.

Ben & Suzy's "bird background"

Since my (Suzy's) first bird at the age of five, a blue and white parakeet, the love and fascination for these magnificent creatures has continued to grow. I look back and realize the intelligence of that little guy as he would "fake" being caught in a toy so we would run to him. As we opened the cage door to assist, he'd let go of that toy and jump to our hand to play. Decades later my husband Ben and I find our fascination with birds has developed over the years. What started as bird watching turned into 20+ years each of avian education, rescue, rehabilitation, falconry, and research of wild birds of prey. We are both Master Falconers and even kept those birds in a non-traditional way gearing the care towards the bird's well being rather than only traditions.

These things also taught us more about raptors, parrots and birds in general. The difference between predator and prey species of birds is fascinating and living with both is an education in itself. Throughout the years, we've studied avian habitats and helped design/build large raptor cages. These are for wild birds' recuperation, exercise, pre-release training and housing of permanent foster parents/educational birds. The goals were to develop proper living environments which keep the bird's safety and cleanliness in mind; simulate natural habitats; encourage physical and physiological stimulation; accommodate mental attitudes and provide Choices - thus improving their quality of life while in captivity. While observing bird behavior and instincts we realized that captive/caged birds needed these things, too. Even though raptors are predators and our parrots are prey, many avian characteristics/needs are the same. Keeping these wild birds in a low-stress captive environment at Birds of Prey Foundation helps promote recovery, save lives and allows for successful releases. Also, the permanent resident birds are healthy and active. We also do educational programs and special events in Colorado about birds of prey and the environment and have attended many rehabilitation seminars and hands-on workshops. We've also had the privilege of one-on-one training with avian experts and veterinarians. In addition to these personal experiences, our years of studies also include information discussed, learned and recommended by avian specialists such as behavior consultants, avian vets, breeders and rehabilitators. We also continue to read books/magazines and view educational videos on birds/bird behavior. Our love and respect for birds and all wildlife also continues to grow.

These valuable lessons in part, helped create Sunrise Solutions' Hide N Sleep. We knew Sunrise wanted a private place the night we got him home at 10 months old. Besides being content crawling into my shirt, he was constantly looking for a place to hide inside or outside of his cage. Since we wanted him to be secure inside of his cage day and night, we tried to buy a private place we could put in there. Soon we discovered only nest boxes were available to go inside parrot cages. Ben decided that we would have to make him something. Many models and materials later, with Sunrise willingly testing each design along the way, we found one that met all of our expectations. Our other birds and then our friend's birds, including cockatiels, Amazons, cockatoos, African Greys, parakeets, etc. also liked our idea. And so the Hide N Sleep™ was developed and the company (Sunrise Solutions) was named for Sunrise. After all, he was so much help in designing the Original room within a cage.

We want to share information and help parrot owners understand the importance of Choices, Privacy, Environment and Territories and how they can help with your bird's security and life-long well-being. See why a secure, private place WITHIN their cage is so vital to your parrots and how it addresses their instincts of being a bird. Now we not only help birds of prey, but parrots, too! We share our home and just about every room in it with our birds: Sun Conure Sunrise, White-eyed Conure Kilobite, and Blue Fronted Amazon Chewy. Sincerely, Ben & Suzy

Understanding the importance of Choices, Privacy, Environment and Territories for your parrot

Privacy: Birds need a SECURE place where they are no longer just an object on display at our will. A safe, stationary, secluded area WITHIN their cage is vital to your parrots. WHY Would a Bird Want to HIDE? How about to rest securely, have PRIVACY while playing with a special toy or eat a favorite treat? Or, just to get away from every day things and events such as other pets, children, strangers and YES sometimes even you! HIDE N SLEEP's privacy addresses their instincts of being a bird, can reduce stress and give confidence.

Choices are extremely important to a bird’s well being. Instinctively, a bird’s first defense modes are fight or flight, to escape. We must somehow give them a CHOICE, a shelter to HIDE in when scared or threatened. A balanced parrot ENVIRONMENT should include the freedom to choose from safe, acceptable selections provided by responsible owners. Providing CHOICES within a captive bird's ENVIRONMENT fills not only psychological needs, but has health benefits as well. A bird less stressed for example is happier, healthier and more confident. Dependable, consistent CHOICES of light, temperature, foot surfaces and access to a stationary, private room should be part of a bird's surroundings. The HIDE N SLEEP provides birds with these healthy CHOICES. Where can our birds go to get away if we don't provide them with this opportunity? HIDE N SLEEP provides an important option within a bird's every day ENVIRONMENT. Having the ability to make choices is just one of the basic needs of birds. This is especially true in captivity, where their choices may already be too few.

Territory has its advantages to birds. It can improve self-esteem, help with insecurity, and allow a parrot to posses at least one small special, reliable area of their own. Food foraging or hunting areas are usually much larger than the smaller, nighttime roosting territories of wild birds. Everybody and everything at some point needs personal space. Birds crave at least one safe place within their cage to have this. Wild parrots can fly away and take cover from predators in the plentiful colorful foliage available. They also rely on their TERRITORY to provide a safe, trusted place. This area is defended by a bird as it is used for the protection of himself and in the wild, that of his family. These things help a bird survive in the wild so it makes sense that simulating them in captivity fulfills several needs. Again, a HIDE N SLEEP becomes an important, faithful part of your bird's TERRITORY.

Roosting Territories are different from nesting territories. Remember, a nest is a protective house to keep those fragile eggs and babies safe. A roosting area is a place to relax and keep the bird itself safe. Just because a bird likes to crawl into small covered places does not necessarily mean they want to breed or make a nest. Think again where birds ROOST (REST) in the wild: rain forest canopies, tree hollows, roosting cavities, cliffs, behind foliage and flowers, in grasses, trees and leaves – any place that provides a safe, SECURE, familiar place to ROOST. Parrots should be able to go to their retreat when they want to, and not have to wait to be covered, or rest uneasy with no place to doze securely. The HIDE N SLEEP is a ROOSTING place with only one entrance they can keep an eye on thus providing the SECURITY needed to rest with piece of mind.

Summary: Having dependable shelter is an important part of being a bird. HIDE N SLEEP incorporates the characteristics of hideouts birds use in the wild. Designed to attach to top of cage, it provides a high roosting area. Birds like to be up high where they can see what's going on. It also adds security to a play gym environment. The cover skirt has only one opening providing a secure shelter for hiding, roosting, etc. - no need to watch more than one entrance. Its tropical designs provide camouflage cover and it has an adjustable door opening to suit your bird. HIDE N SLEEP mounts solidly providing a stable, non dangling room for peaceful sleep. Whether camouflage to hide, shade from sun or lights, a private playground, or just a place to rest securely when they want to, providing your birds with a HIDE N SLEEP can fulfill these and other parrot needs & instincts. Hopefully this will make your birds and you happier.

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