Budgies, also known as parakeets, are beloved pets due to their vibrant appearance, manageable cost, and charming personalities. Many believe them to be an easy “beginner bird” due to their small size, but they require significant attention, much like larger parrot species. This guide delves into everything you need to know to provide the best care for your feathered companion.
The Natural History and Domestication of Budgies
Native to Australia, wild budgies are typically green and smaller than their domesticated counterparts. The budgies commonly found in pet stores today have been selectively bred over decades, resulting in a wide array of colors and patterns. These birds were first introduced to Europe in the 1830s, gaining popularity in wealthy households before spreading to the general public. Australia later banned their exportation in 1894, leading to captive breeding programs in Europe. Budgies arrived in America in the late 1920s, but their widespread popularity didn’t emerge until the 1950s, eventually making them the third most popular pet after cats and dogs. Tragically, due to their affordability, budgies have sometimes been subject to mistreatment and accidents, leading to a “throwaway pet” reputation. With proper care, budgies can live between 7 to 15 years. For those interested in engaging their pets further, training a parakeet to perform tricks can be a rewarding experience.
Common Budgie Breeds and Where to Find Them
Two main types of budgies are available: the American budgie (parakeet) and the English budgie. While all belong to the same species, English budgies are generally larger, measuring around 8.5 to 9.5 inches in length, and often appear more substantial. They tend to be more docile but may have a shorter lifespan than American budgies due to inbreeding.
When selecting a budgie, it is recommended to purchase from a reputable breeder, especially if you aim to tame and interact closely with your bird. Young budgies that have been regularly handled are more likely to be well-adjusted. While pet store budgies are typically older and potentially more difficult to tame, they are also usually less expensive. Look for a bird that is bright in color, alert, active, with smooth, shiny feathers, and clean nostrils. Examine their feet, nails, and beak for smoothness. Birds kept in unsanitary conditions are at a higher risk of illness.
Budgies exhibit a wide range of colors and patterns, with standard varieties including green, blue, yellow, and white. Over 70 color mutations have been developed through selective breeding, resulting in unique shades like purple, albino, and neon green, often available from hobby breeders. Distinguishing between male and female budgies can be challenging when they are young. Around 6 to 8 months of age, the cere (the fleshy area above the beak) on mature females typically appears pink, brown, or beige, while on mature males, it is blue. As budgies age, the markings on their forehead tend to recede, and their eye irises may turn gray.
Essential Budgie Housing and Environment
The minimum recommended cage size for a budgie is 20 inches long x 12 inches deep x 18 inches high, though a larger cage is always preferable. The enclosure should provide ample space for a sleeping nest, food and water dishes, toys, and chewable items. Horizontal cage bars are beneficial for climbing and exercise, and the bar spacing should be no more than half an inch to prevent escape or injury.
Perches should be placed at varying levels within the cage, allowing the budgie to easily jump between them. To promote foot health and provide varied textures, use perches of different sizes, shapes, and materials. A variety of toys and chewing objects are crucial for providing entertainment and mental stimulation. These should be rotated monthly to maintain your budgie’s interest.
Budgies, despite living in a cage, require several hours of supervised out-of-cage time daily. Flight is a fundamental part of their natural behavior and essential for their well-being, offering opportunities for exercise and socialization. Ensure the area is secured and free from potential hazards before allowing your budgie to fly freely. Some owners opt to have their budgie’s wings trimmed to limit flight capabilities.
Due to their highly social nature, budgies thrive on interaction. If you cannot dedicate significant social time, keeping budgies in pairs is a popular and recommended option, as they tend to be happiest with avian companionship.
Budgies originate from a warm climate and require temperatures between 70-75 degrees Fahrenheit. During hot weather, air conditioning or a fan may be necessary. It’s important to keep their enclosures out of direct sunlight, as budgies lack sweat glands and can overheat easily. Avoid placing cages near air conditioning vents, open windows, or drafty areas. If using a ceiling fan, turn it off before allowing your budgie free-flight time.
Optimal Budgie Diet and Nutrition
In their natural habitat, budgies primarily forage on seeds and plant matter. A captive budgie’s diet should be a balanced mix of specially formulated pellets, fresh vegetables, and fruits. While seeds are palatable due to their high fat content, they should be offered only as a treat, not as a staple food. High-quality pellets provide essential nutrients for a balanced diet.
Supplementing the pellet diet with a variety of fresh vegetables like leafy greens, broccoli, and corn, along with some fruits in moderation, is highly beneficial. Foods to strictly avoid include avocados, chocolate, sugar, and salt, as they are toxic to budgies.
Introducing new foods can sometimes be met with caution by budgies. Patience is key during this process. Cuttlebones can offer a source of calcium and may be beneficial, but they are not essential and can pose a risk if ingested in excess.
Understanding Budgie Behavior and Socialization
Budgies are generally gentle and entertaining birds that can amuse themselves, making them quieter than some other parrot species. When kept in pairs or colonies, they can be fascinating to observe but may form stronger bonds with each other than with their human caretakers. To foster a strong bond with a human, budgies require ample social interaction.
Lone budgies can struggle with isolation. However, a single budgie that receives consistent, patient handling and early socialization can become a very tame and affectionate companion. Budgies can be a suitable pet for children, provided they are taught to be respectful of the bird’s size and fragility. While their beaks are not as powerful as those of larger parrots, they can still cause minor injury to sensitive skin. Adult supervision is always recommended when children interact with budgies.
Budgies possess the remarkable ability to mimic human speech and various sounds, including words, phrases, and whistles. Male budgies often demonstrate a greater aptitude for talking than females.
Essential Medical Care for Your Budgie
Budgies are susceptible to several health issues, including tumors, obesity, liver and foot disorders, scaly mites (affecting skin on the face, legs, and eyes), intestinal parasites, goiters (due to iodine deficiency), and psittacosis (parrot fever). These conditions necessitate veterinary attention. Many of these problems can be linked to an all-seed diet. A balanced diet comprising pellets, fresh vegetables, and fruits is crucial for prevention.
In case of a budgie emergency, seek immediate veterinary care. Do not delay, as certain conditions can be fatal quickly. Signs requiring urgent medical attention include:
- Labored breathing: Open-mouth breathing, wheezing, clicking sounds, tail bobbing, frequent sneezing, or a constantly outstretched neck.
- Tumors or bumps: These can also indicate a ruptured air sac.
- Loss of appetite or refusal to eat.
- Bleeding: Any blood in the cage is a serious concern due to their limited blood volume.
- Bloody feathers: Require immediate removal.
- Bites, wounds, cuts, or abrasions: Resulting from trauma or self-mutilation.
- Blood in the stool.
- Burns: From flame, electricity, hot grease, hot water, or chemicals.
- Egg binding.
- Foreign object in the eye.
- Fractures.
- Heatstroke.
- Leg injuries: Suspected breakages or entrapment in the cage.
- Poisoning: If the bird has ingested a toxic substance.
- Shock: Characterized by fluffed feathers, rapid breathing, weakness, unconsciousness, and cold extremities.
Boarding Services for Budgies
LIBEVC offers budgie boarding services to provide care for your pet while you are away. We ensure they have appropriate housing and social interaction. Please note that these services are currently on hold due to COVID-19.
If you need to schedule an appointment for your budgie, please CONTACT us.
More Bird Care Resources
- Duck Care Guide
- Parrot Care Guide
- Budgie Care Guide
- Chicken Care Guide
- Other Bird Species
