Tips for caring for your first budgie and being a Happy friend: Parakeets, more commonly known as parakeets, are excellent starter birds for those who have never had a pet bird and would like to have a feathered friend. They usually have a cheerful temperament, are not as demanding as many other larger birds, and are relatively hardy.
As solitary birds, they make good companions and enjoy interacting with their owners. Anyone who wants to learn more about these sparkling little birds and their care should be able to bring one home and have several years of companionship with their new pet.
A bit of history about budgie
Parakeets, or budgies for short, are native to Australia. Although they are commonly referred to as parakeets, this term can actually be applied to a number of parrot species. The two types of domestic parakeets are the British parakeet and the “ordinary” parakeet. The British parakeet is a much larger bird than its regular cousin. In this article, I will focus on the ordinary parakeet, as it is the most common variety in France.
Parakeets are small, hook-billed birds that, in captivity, feed mainly on seeds, fresh fruits, and vegetables. They usually live from twelve to fourteen years, if you take good care of them. Parakeets are birds in the wild, so if you want a budgie that interacts with you, you only need to keep one bird in a cage.
The goal is for the bird to see you as its “flock”. If other birds share its cage, your budgie will bond with them first rather than with you. Parakeets are intelligent little creatures, and they can be taught to talk and do little tricks. Again, it is necessary to keep the bird alone so that it learns to talk or do tricks.
While wild parakeets always have bright green plumage and yellow heads, selective captive breeding has produced birds that vary greatly in feather color and pattern. Most of these birds are of some shade of green or blue with an accent color, although there are parakeets that are entirely yellow or white.
Parakeets can be sexual in adulthood by looking at their cereal, that is, the small band at the top of the beak where the nostrils are located. Males have blue or lavender-blue cereals, while females have brown or tanned cereals. Young budgies all have pink-lavender ceres. It is not possible to make love on sight with a juvenile parakeet.
If you only have one bird, it doesn’t matter if you can know its gender before you buy it, because both sexes can be as affectionate as each other.
Caring for budgie
Finding the right budgie
As a potential budgie owner, you have two options for getting a bird. The first option would be to buy it from a breeder. This can be a great choice, as these birds are often hand-raised and very accustomed to human interaction. The downside is that these birds are usually more expensive than those found in pet stores. You can find breeders in your area online, in the phone book, or at a bird show. However, be sure to buy from a reputable breeder to avoid buying a bird that is sick or has physical problems.
Buying your bird from a good pet store is the second option. Pet store budgies, although they are cheaper than those bought directly from a breeder, are not always particularly friendly at first. This is due to the fact that many of them are bred without much human manipulation.
When brought to the pet store, they are placed in an aviary with a dozen other parakeets and are still not handled. As flocked birds, they are content with other parakeets and do not know what to do with people. In the end, this leaves you with a bird that is not normally ready to jump on your finger.
So when you go to a pet store to buy a budgie, be aware that you may need to work with it for a while to get it to trust you and be finger trained.
Whether you decide to buy from a breeder or a pet store, there are a few things you need to check before buying the bird:
The place where birds are kept should be clean and dry.
The birds themselves should be free of any signs of disease (clean vents, clear eyes, encrusted ceresis, no signs of moths, no labored breathing, no birds sitting alone in a corner with their feathers ruffled). Even if the bird you love is healthy, don’t buy it if other people in the pen or cage seem sick.
The bird you love should not have physical problems, such as a beak that is too big or crooked.
Caring for budgie
Things to buy for your budgie
The important thing for your budgie is its cage. Since this is where he will spend most of his time, the cage must be large enough for the bird to move freely, otherwise, he will be an unhappy being. At a minimum, the cage must be 14″ long x 11″ wide x 12″ high. Remember that once you add bowls, perches, and toys, the actual space your pet has to move around will be reduced. Please resist the “starter kits” that some pet stores offer if the cage they include is smaller than the dimensions above.
I know it will seem like a good deal at the moment, but it won’t be good for your bird in the end. If you can afford an even bigger cage, then buy it. Your bird will thank you. As humans, we go through busy times when we can’t give our animals as much play time as they’d like or need, so if the bird has a larger play space, it won’t be so embarrassed to spend time alone.
Regardless of the size of the cage you buy, make sure the bars are not spaced more than half an inch apart. This will prevent your budgie from getting its head stuck between the bars. Also try to find one with bars made of heavy wire, as the bars tend to bend easily on thin bar cages. Finally, a cage with a non-toxic coating on the bars is preferable because it prevents rust from developing. I like the cages made by Prevue Hendryx because they are spacious and good-quality cages.
Most cages are equipped with one or two stud-type perches. However, I recommend removing one of these perches and replacing it with two or three other types of perches. Other types of perches available are natural branch perches and shaped sand perches.
The reason for this is that your budgie needs different types of perches of different shapes to sit and keep his feet healthy. The right ankles do not offer the necessary variation in shape.
Shaped, sand-covered perches have the added benefit of helping to keep the bird’s claws cut (although it is still necessary to trim the toenails from time to time). I used this particular type of natural branch-shaped perch, as it fits perfectly into an average budgie cage.
The cages are also equipped with food and water dishes. You also need to buy a separate cup in which you can put processing seeds or fresh food.
It is essential to buy good budgie/plot food for your pet. There are varieties of seeds and granules for budgies on the market, and both have their advantages and disadvantages. Despite all the possible choices, I suggest you, as the new owner, stick to the food that the bird was already receiving when you bought it.
Sometimes it is possible to turn a seed bird into pellets or vice versa, but this is not always done and it is better that it is an experienced person does it. Your new bird may notice that you’re trying to give it another brand of food and you’re not eating it, so when you’re just starting out, it’s best to stick to what the bird already knows. You want your budgie’s transition into your home to be as stress-free as possible.
Other accessories needed for your bird are a cuttlefish bone or mineral treat, toys, and a cage skirt. Cuttlefish bone and mineral treat have much the same purpose, which is to keep your bird’s beak at the right length. Parrot Toys are an important part of a budgie’s life. A bored bird is not a happy bird.
If you want your budgie to interact with you, avoid mirror toys, as she will think she has another bird in the cage and prefers the company of the “mirror bird”. Some of the good toys that budgies love include small balls, spinning toys, rings, chew toys, and bells. My budgie loves bells, and that’s why almost all her toys have bells.
Don’t be surprised, though, if your bird looks at a new toy as if it’s the enemy no. 1. The budgie simply makes sure that the newcomer in his cage is not going to eat it, and usually warms up to the new toy in a day or two (or three…). The skirt of the cage is to your advantage rather than that of the bird. Like all types of pet birds, budgies can be a bit messy, so it’s easier to keep the mess contained in the cage when there’s a skirt outside the cage.
There are a few items you can avoid buying and use a substitute at home to save money. The first would be a cage lid; They are pretty but a clean towel does the trick to put your bird to bed at night. The second thing to avoid is corn cob bedding or cage liners to put at the bottom of the cage.
Newspaper or paper towels work just as well as store-bought items (don’t use newspaper, however, if your bird’s cage doesn’t have a grid in the bottom that separates it from contact with newspaper). The last item you probably won’t need to buy is a stand. A bedside table, nightstand, or another flat surface where the cage cannot be overturned is sufficient.
The exception to this rule would be if you have cats in the house (or dogs that like to hunt birds); A support that keeps the cage well out of reach of a curious feline is preferable.
Life with your new budgie pet
Caring for budgie When you bring your new budgie home, set up its cage first, before taking the bird out of the cage you brought it in. The location of the cage in your home is an important thing to decide. The kitchen is usually not a good place, due to the high level of activity in the room and the potential risk of toxins being released into the air by burnt nonstick pans.
Many kitchens also have doors to the outside, indoors, or nearby, which can cause drafts. You don’t want your bird to sit in a draft, because it’s not good for their health. A bedroom, office, or family living room corner are the best places to put a birdcage. If you find the noise annoying, you may not want to put the bird near a home workspace.
Parakeets tend to be talkative, which makes them entertaining; However, this can become obnoxious if you need calm! Not all budgies are like this, but quieter birds seem to be the exception. You will not know until the bird is installed and accustomed to its environment, if it will be noisy or if it is a moderate chirping.
Don’t always assume that covering the bird will make it silent until you want to get up in the morning; Mine is known to start his tweet at five in the morning (that’s right, it’s normally because he already hears someone getting up).
Once you have found a place for the cage, assemble it and glue the absorbent material you have chosen to use into the bottom. Then place the perches, taking into account the configuration that will allow the bird to move freely in the cage. Be sure to place the perches near the cups of food and water (I glue the only long stud perch in front of the dishes to leave more room to play in the rest of the cage).
Be aware that you can always rearrange the perches if necessary. Then add the toys to the cage, along with the mineral treat or cuttlefish bone. Fill the dish with food and the dish with water.
The best way to put your new friend in his house is to remove the top of the cage and gently place the bird inside. But do this only if the bird’s wings are already clipped! If the wings of the budgie are not clipped, or if the lid of the cage does not come off easily, put it in the cage through the door.
In the case of a cage with a “guillotine” door (which slides up and down), it is best to first fix the door in the “high” position with a clip or rotating fastener to prevent the door from accidentally falling on the budgie’s head. (Be sure to secure the door this way whenever you want to get the bird in or out of its cage.) Partially cover the cage and give the bird a day or two to adapt to its new environment.
This means not taking him out of his cage, putting his hand in his cage, or even talking to him too much (especially out loud) during this time. It will probably be scary to be placed in a whole new environment and will need some space. Birds and stress don’t go together, so give your pet the peace and quiet it needs.
Once your bird has gotten used to its new home, you can start interacting with it. If the bird has already been erected on the finger and its wings are cut off, you can easily take it out of its cage and begin to get acquainted with it. If it has its wings cut off but has not been erected on the finger, teaching the bird to “ride” on your finger only takes a little time and perseverance.
First, put your hand slowly into the cage, approaching the bird from below rather than above (he thinks you’re an aggressor who comes to eat him if your hand falls on him). Some birds won’t like your hand in the cage at all, so you may have to spend the first or second day getting used to your hand in the cage.
Once the bird is comfortable with your hand, take your index finger and gently place it against the front of the bird, just above its legs. As you do this, say in a soft voice “move forward.” The gentle pressure on the front of the bird will usually cause the bird to crawl on your finger. If not, try again several times.
The point of saying “step up” is that you want the bird to learn to put itself on its finger without having to put pressure on its chest. Parakeets can master this trick in a day, but it can take longer than that with your bird. If he doesn’t learn on the first day, don’t push him, but let him rest and try again the next day.
I do not recommend a new bird owner take his budgie out of his cage unless his wings are clipped. It can easily injure itself by bumping into objects if it flies away. If the store where you bought it won’t or can’t clip its wings, try to find a friend who has experience cutting wings or go to an avian veterinarian. If these options don’t exist for you, you can learn how to do it yourself, but, please, be very careful and make sure you fully understand what you need to do before trying. You risk seriously injuring your bird if you are not careful.
Once you and your budgie become friends, your bird will enjoy playing with you or just sitting on your shoulder. Giving your pet some “shoulder time” while you read or watch TV is a great way to bond. An old towel serves as protection against bird droppings on your clothes; Make sure, however, that it is a kind of dish towel rather than a bath towel, as the small greenhouses of a budgie can get stuck in the loops of a bath towel.
One thing you should never do to your bird while interacting with you kisses it on the beak. Human saliva is toxic to budgies. You should also avoid using aerosols or other types of sprays around the bird; The budgie’s lungs are delicate and breathing this kind of thing can be dangerous for your pet.
It is best to find a good avian veterinarian as soon as possible after purchasing your budgie. Parakeets are relatively hardy for their size, but you should always be alert for signs of illness and contact your veterinarian if you think your bird is sick. Signs of illness include wheezing, difficulty breathing, runny eyes or cereals, crusty cereal, loosening droppings, loss of feathers without new growth molting is normal, abnormal growths on the head, not eating, sitting very still and quiet in a corner with ruffled feathers.
This list of the most common signs of illness is not exhaustive. As you get to know your bird, you will notice any abnormalities in its behavior. This will allow you to act quickly if you think he is not well. Rapid action is needed because diseases of these small birds are often fatal if left untreated.
Feeding your bird fruits, vegetables, and treats in addition to its usual food is a great idea as it adds variation and extra nutrients to your pet’s diet. Be sure to put these foods in a separate cup from the usual food and limit the amount of candy and millet seeds you give your bird.
Parakeets can become overweight, and being overweight is not healthy for the bird. Fresh greens like spinach and arugula, and fruits like apples and oranges without the seeds are all fresh foods safe for budgies that can be given in moderate amounts.
If you do not buy organic products, be sure to wash items that cannot be peeled thoroughly to remove pesticide residues. As not all fruits and vegetables are safe for your bird, please check this list before trying any products other than the ones I just mentioned.
Avoid giving your bird “human food” as most of this food is completely unsafe for birds and some things can also be toxic. When feeding your bird, give it enough seeds in its cup to last about two days, and then refill it when it has eaten most of the seeds be careful not to confuse the seed husks the bird leaves behind with uneaten food.
Change the water at least every other day. If your budgie seems to enjoy bathing in her drinking water, try putting a shallow dish in the cage from time to time and encourage her to use it instead. Parakeets do not need to bathe as much as some birds because they live in an arid climate in the wild.
If there is a grid at the bottom of the cage, the absorbent material of the tray should be changed only once a week, since the bird does not have contact with the tray. If there is no grid, the material of the tray must be changed every other day.
The entire cage should be wiped once a month. Every two or three months, it is good to disassemble the cage and wash it thoroughly with mild dish soap to remove the grime that accumulates on the edges and corners.
Caring for budgie
Wonderful budgies pets
My budgie has been a wonderful little pet and I will always be glad I decided to introduce it into my life. He is a gentle creature that makes me smile at his antics and joyful chatter. If you are looking for a pet that is small, cheerful, affectionate, and relatively easy to keep, I highly recommend welcoming one of these birds into your home.
Questions and Answers about budgie
Question: What should I do with my budgie when I go on vacation for a week?
Answer: While it is not necessary for a budgie to be kept by a pet to ensure that it is doing well during the holidays, it is good to have it checked at least every other day. The person caring for the bird must know how to change food and water and recognize any signs of illness or injury.
Of course, if you have a friend or family member with whom your budgie can stay while you’re away, I’m sure they’d love to have company!
Question: How long will it take my budgies to eat after they take them to their new home?
Answer: They should start eating at the end of the first 24 hours. You will know this if you see seed shells left on the food in the cup or in the bottom of the cage. If the birds do not start eating until the end of the second day, you can contact the breeder for advice. If you bought them from a pet store, consult an avian veterinarian to find out what you need to do.
Question: I’m going to have two female budgies, and I read somewhere that if you have two budgies at once, they’re going to bond with each other and not with their owner. Is this true?
Answer: While it’s true that they’ll be more attached to each other than anyone else, that doesn’t mean they won’t love you at all. The degree of appreciation will depend on the time you spend with them. If you rarely take them out of the cage to play with them, they will naturally become less attached to you than if you played with them frequently.
Question: Should I place the cage of a budgie near a window?
Answer: Yes, I think it’s good for a budgie to be able to see outside during the day. However, I recommend keeping the window closed if the cage is right next to it (rather than a few feet away), as mites can get in and on your bird through an open window.
Question: Is there a way to make my budgie and cat friends?
Answer: Although there are cats that show no interest in bird hunting, they tend to be very much in the minority. Unless you are absolutely certain that your cat is one of the few to behave in this way, I will not take the risk of finding out. Things can go wrong very quickly if your cat decides that your budgie looks like a snack! The only friendship to attempt is a friendship with cage bars in between.
Teach your cat not to throw herself in the cage or not to pass her paws through the bars; The cat should know that the bird is forbidden to hunt.
Question: I’ve tried to give pieces of fresh apples and romaine to my birds, but they don’t touch it. What am I doing wrong?
Answer: Sometimes small amounts of fresh food need to be offered several days in a row before birds try it. Once they have tasted it, they ask for it again or refuse to touch it again. So don’t give up too quickly, but be prepared to switch to another fresh food if several days go by without them eating it. You can also limit food selection to one new food at a time.
Question: I’ve had my budgie for two years, but he won’t let me touch it. How can I get him to let me handle it? Someone told me he had too many mirrors in his cage. He has three cubs and one in which he can see his whole body. He can also enter and leave his cage for much of the day.
Answer: I would start by reducing the number of mirrors to a single small one. Replace the other mirrors with one or two new toys, so he won’t be as disappointed by the loss of most of his mirrors. Then start putting your hand in the cage and holding it close to him for a few minutes.
Do this at least twice a day, slowly bringing your hand closer together as it grows to accept your presence in its space. Finally, it should allow you to touch it gently on the chest (I can’t guarantee a specific time frame for this to happen inside; every bird is different. Gentle persistence is key).
Once you can touch it, you can try to teach it to move forward on your finger. You can reduce the time he spends outside the cage somewhat during this process. If he sees getting out of his cage as a reward for learning how to be manipulated, he may become more cooperative in the process.
Question: What should be the temperature of the room where I keep my budgies?
Answer: The temperature range of the interior of an average house is usually good for a budgie. If the room is particularly cold, you can try adding a hut to the cage as a warm-up point. The only thing to avoid is drafts, whether they come from a window or an air conditioner. Too much cold air blowing directly on a budgie is not good for her.
Question: A budgie came through my window. I tried to advertise to find the owner. It is very well-trained and flies on my head and finger. I bought him a large cage and he seems to be well-installed. Should I have his wings clipped?
Answer: I advise you to clip his wings because he seems to be an escape artist. This will prevent him from flying away again the next time he sees an open door or window.
Question: How many days can a budgie go without drinking water?
Answer: I would never leave a budgie without clean water. A domesticated bird is used to having a constant supply of drinking water, and would not do well without it.
Question: Can I move my budgie’s cage from time to time to other parts of the house?
Answer: Yes, you can move the cage to any area of the house that is free of drafts, harmful fumes, or aerosols. I recommend you do so. Your budgie likes to be wherever you are and would prefer that you move his house into the room you occupy at any given time. You can also take it out under a screened porch, as a budgie likes to sit outside with its owner on sunny days.
Question: Today I bought a new female parakeet for my male budgie. How will I know that my budgies get along? What are the signs to look out for to know if my budgies don’t like each other?
Answer: It will be pretty obvious if they don’t like each other. Bickering, pecking, not sharing food and water, and refusing to sit near each other are all signs that they do not get along. If they don’t bicker much and instead they smooth each other and sit together, then you’ll know they like each other.
If they bicker a little in the first couple of weeks, don’t worry, as they may need some time to get used to each other’s presence. Only separate them if they don’t get along at all and hurt each other when they bicker with each other.
Question: I have two parakeets. Do they help each other get rid of their old feathers during molting, or should I do something like rub their heads?
Answer: Parakeets that share a cage often smooth each other, so your birds can do this very well to help each other during molting. Parakeets don’t need our help to remove old feathers; Even a single bird licks and fluffs well enough on its own to get rid of its feathers during molting.
Question: I have three budgies. How many times a week should I give them these treats on a stick?
Answer: I would only give them one stick a week at most; Limiting the treat to every other week would be even better. Parakeets, like all other pets, can gain weight and have health problems if they consume too many treats.
Question: My budgies don’t want to use their cuddle hut. What can I do to make them love it?
Answer: Some birds just don’t like cuddly huts; mine would never use one. You could try putting candy seeds in it to attract them. Once they get in, they might decide they like it. Otherwise, there’s not much else you can do.
Question: Could an 11-year-old responsible child take care of a budgie?
Answer: Yes, responsible children around the age of nine can easily care for a pet parakeet. The child will of course need help with certain things, such as clipping their wings or cutting their nails. Routine care and cage cleaning, however, is quite simple to manage for an adult child.
Question: I have a cat. Where should I put the cage of my budgie so that it is safe?
