The Complete Guide to Budgie Care: 5 Ways To Look After Your Pet Bird

The Complete Guide to Budgie Care: How To Look After Your Pet Bird

What is a budgie?

A budgie aka Budgerigar or parakeet is a small Australian native parrot with a long tail and brightly coloured feathers, which are normally green, blue, yellow, or white. These birds have a rounded head and prominent cheek patches.

There are now many varieties of coloured Budgies bred in captivity. The average life span is 10 years.

In the wild the species is green and yellow with black, scalloped markings on the nape, back, and wings. These cute parrots are an ideal pet for beginners or people who want a friendly bird which is sociable and can be handled easily.

Budgies can be trained to talk and are rather easy to take care of. So let’s take a look at how to look after your feathered friend.

What will you need to take care of a budgie?

Bird cage essentials and maintenance

Budgies need a safe and secure environment where they can exercise their natural behaviours. A cage is an essential part of the budgie’s living space. The standard size of a cage should be big enough so there is enough room for your budgie to fully extend its wings and to fly without damaging its feathers. The bigger the cage the better.

The standard size of a cage should be big enough so there is enough room for your budgie to fully extend its wings and to fly without damaging its feathers.  The bigger the cage the better.

Your cage will need the following:

• Perches
• Food and water dishes
• Paper lining for the bottom of the cage
• Toys and swings
• Budgies also need a mirror which keeps them entertained for hours on end.
• Cuttlefish will help keep their break healthy
• Cage cover for sleeping

A bird bath is another essential item for your budgie’s living space. It will provide your bird a place to bathe, groom and play.

How to care for your Budgie

What do budgies eat?

Budgies need a lot of attention and care to live healthy lives, especially when it comes to their diet. The main source of food for budgies is:

• seed mixes or pelleted food.

The seed mix should have plenty of seeds, fruits, vegetables, grains, and shell grit in order for them to thrive.

• Greens, wild grasses such as Summer grass (Crab grass) and also enjoy eating millet.
• Fresh water should always be replaced daily.

How to keep your Budgie healthy?

A healthy Budgie should have smooth feathers, clean feet, no discharge from nostrils/beak area, eyes or ears. Its Posture should be upright and your bird alert unless it is sleeping.

Keep the cage clean

There should be no faecal matter in food or water dishes, Perches, toys, mirrors or any part of the cage. Replace food, water and paper liner daily. Remove vegies, greens/grasses or fruit after 24 hours.

Spending time with your Budgie

Now that you have set up your budgie cage, have food and fresh water its time to spend time with your new forever friend. Budgies love your company and like to play and do tricks and talk.

IN THE NEXT POST…

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR BUDGIE

This guide will teach you how to tame and train your budgie with valuable tips to help you teach your bird how to speak.