My birds have a mixture of both. Morning and evening follow the same routine because I need to follow the same routine. But during the day things can change. For example, they all got to sit outside in their cages yesterday because the weather was perfect. Today will be bathday and tomorrow cleaning day, so each day has its differences.

I have to say I think a bird in captivity should have some form of routine but not all the time. My guys go to bed at the same time every night but other then that, we have a busy household and things change.

I think it is important to help your bird adjust to change in captivity because life changes and things do not always stay the same. A captive parrot who is used to routine may start to pluck or scream or have behaviour issues when things change.

God forbid, anything happen to me then they would take the change or transition easier because I've taught them change.

I do keep my guys on a routine for the most part but things get changed up all the time. When my work schedule is normal the birds pretty much know what to expect and when.

I do try to use key words and sort of let the birds know what to expect for the day. When I leave for work I tell them, "I have to work today." Even on the weekends when I leave for several hours I tell that I'm going to "work" and I do think they understand that that means I'll be gone for part of the day. When one or both of us leaves for several days I say that we're "going on a trip."

On the weekends or any other days off/holidays things get done whenever and no one seems to mind any changes. When they are out, though, the order of which things get done is generally the same - fly time for a few hours, veggie snack, and when they go back to cages there's a seed + avicakes snack.

Ruby has a strict routine. It goes something like this - CHANGE CHANGE CHANGE! Her meals and bedtime are set, but the rest is always different. She doesn't seem to care as long as her beak is in the middle of it! ha! My Gipper (TAG) did not like change at all! He wanted things the same, same, SAME!

I have found with Ryan when he gets used to a certain routine he gets bored. I know that he feels safe and secure in his environment, and this means he's ready to learn something new. I've noticed this with him which is why I do not keep him on a strict routine. Although during the week my schedule is the same, I try to mix it up as much as I do on the weekends. Even it's just a little change like moving his portable perches around while I get ready for work. He used to love sitting on my dresser when I get ready. Now he walks away.

And I agree with you Leigh. You never know what change life is going to throw your way. If something should happen to me, I would like to know that my bird will have a somewhat smooth transition into a change.

We don't have much of a TIMED routine.... but we do have ways of doing things, like what everyone says when it's night night, greetings in the morning etc.

Bea - very interesting take on it. Speaking of control.... I think that our NON-routine lets the birds have a bit more control over their life. They can ask to go to bed, they can ask for food..... Of course, I have macaws..... different birds can ask or tolerate different things.