Popular Pet Birds – Budgies
Choosing a Pet Bird: A little bit about Budgies
Birds can make wonderful pets, but there are many different types of birds, so how do you choose the one that is right for your family? Like any pet, birds will require lots of love and care to help keep them healthy and well, so in this blog we are taking a look at Budgies or Budgerigar, and what you can expect if you were to have one as pet.
Budgies are a very gentle and docile bird. Budgies love to play and are full of energy. When tame, they will be amazingly affectionate towards their owner.
Types of Budgies
There are numerous types of budgies which are largely recognised by their colouring. Examples include:
Types of Budgies
There are numerous types of budgies which are largely recognised by their colouring. Examples include:
Cobalt Budgie
The Cobalt Budgie has a dark blue body, with black striped wings. They have a white face with three black spots on their neck.
Dark Green Budgie
The Dark Green Budgie has a green body with a yellow back and wings, their tail feathers are a blue black colour. Around the neck there are three black spots on each side, with purple patches on the cheek.
Grey Budgie
The Grey Budgie mainly has a grey body with white stripes on the back and wings, with a white face. Around the neck of the budgie there are three spots on each side, with blue grey cheek patches.
How Long to Budgies Live?
Lifespan The lifespan of a budgie is between seven and ten years.
Company for Budgies
Budgies are sociable animals and so it is best to keep budgies in pairs, however if you only want one budgie they will require a lot more attention like handling and talking to them. If you keep a female and a male together they may breed you will notice the male singing to the female and the female bobbing its head if they are mating.
Breeding females should be separated from males to prevent the males from harming the young.
Where Budgies Like to Live
When choosing a place for your Budgie to live, take into consideration the size of the cage. If you are planning on getting one budgie the minimum cage requirements would be (46cm x 30cm x 30cm), and for two budgies minimum cage size of (80cm x 60cm x 60cm).
A wire cage is the most suitable as it allows the budgie to climb around the cage. Choose a cage that has no more than half an inch between the bars.
Use sand sheets as bedding for the cage and perches and toys will also be needed.
Exercise & Play
Budgies are playful birds and need toys to occupy themselves, toys like ladders, swings, bells and ropes are good options. Whether you have one or two budgies it is important to let them out of the cage to exercise at least once a day to stretch their wings. Make sure that the room is secure.
Budgie Health & Hygiene
Your Budgie’s cage will require a weekly clean, using a bird safe disinfectant. Cleaning out food and water dishes and perches every day will help maintain the cage and keep your Budgie healthy.
Budgies like to take baths on a daily basis, so it is important that they are provided with a bird bath (not too much water). This helps the Budgie stay clean and can also be used to cool the Budgie on a warm day.
If you decide to get a budgie, you will need to have vet who will be able to care for it’s medical needs. Not all vets will have the experience to treat birds, so you may need to travel to find a suitable vet to care for your finch.
Clipping Feathers
Clipping Budgies flight feathers is not necessary, but when done correctly it can help to prevent injury or escape. Speak with your vet about this to find out more.
Sexing
It is difficult to sex a Budgie when they are young, but when they mature you can tell if they are male or female by the colour of their cere – the cere can be found between the beak and the eyes. Males have a blue cere, while females have a brown cere.
Diet & Nutrition
Choose a specialist blend Budgie Mix as the core to your Budgie’s diet. A good quality food will containing a mixture of oats, canary seeds, millet, fruit (apples, grapes) and vegetables (lettuce, but no cabbage as this will make the budgie sick).
Clean, fresh food and water should be made available to your Budgie on a daily basis.
Calcium Supplements
Your Budgie will need calcium supplements to keep their bones strong; in the formation of eggs and also to assist in maintaining a healthy nervous system and muscle function. A Cuttlebone should be provided for your Budgie at all times, as this provides natural calcium supplement.
Take Me Home Checklist
When to take your Budgie home, you will need make sure you have some things to in order to help keep it healthy and happy. We’ve put together a simple ‘Take Me Home’ checklist for new Budgie keepers. If you have any questions, or need any further advise, please drop in to your local Petmania and talk to our Petcare Advisors.
- Wire cage – size depends on the number of Budgies
- Budgie mix food
- Bedding- sand paper or wood shavings
- Water + feed bowls
- Toys like ladders, ropes, bells, & balls
- Bird bath
- Cuttlebone and holder
- Treats like millet spray, seed bars, & honey bells
- Bird safe disinfectant
