BUDGIES
CARING FOR YOUR BUDGIE
Budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus), commonly known as “Budgies” are small Parakeets Native to Australia. They are generally inquisitive, social birds that are easy to keep. There are many colour varieties available, with the green/yellow colouration being the most common in wild birds. Mature males generally have a blue cere (the cere is the skin structure around the nose and above the upper beak) and females generally have a brown cere. Most budgies are quite vocal, however only a few will develop the ability to talk in words we can understand. Budgies only grow to a small size, weighing between 30-40 grams, reach a length of 18-20cm and can live up to 15 years in captivity.
DIET & NUTRITION
Budgies are predominantly a seed eating species so their captive diet should consist of a Budgie seed mix. It is important to note that seed alone lacks the important vitamins and minerals that Budgies receive in the wild, so their daily diet should be supplemented with small portions of fresh vegetables and appropriate bird pellets. A wide range of fruits that are safe for your Budgies include: Apples, Apricots, Banana, Carrots, Cherries, Grapes, Guava, Kiwi, Mango, Nectarines, Oranges, Papaya, Peaches, Pear, Pineapple, Plums and Watermelon. Budgies can also eat dried fruits (if they do not contain the preservative sulphur dioxide) such as: Dried Apricots, Dried Cranberries, Prunes and Sultanas. Always remove pits or seeds from stone fruits as they can be toxic. Vegetables such as: Beets, Brussel Sprouts, Bok Choy, Cabbage, Carrot tops, Capsicum, Corn, Dill, Endive, Kale, Peas, Pumpkin, Spinach, String Beans, Sweet Potato and Squash are perfect for Budgies. Using a high quality Budgie Seed mix, Small Parrot Mix or Fruit & Nut mix in conjunction with a Pellet/Crumble blend and fresh Fruits and Vegetables will provide them with a well-balanced diet.
Never feed your Budgie Iceberg Lettuce, Onions, Avocados, Chocolate, Caffeine or Apple seeds as they are toxic to birds. Make sure your Budgie always has access to fresh water and replace the water daily.
HOUSING & ENRICHMENT
Budgies require adequate space to play with their toys, exercise and live comfortably, so a cage no smaller than 65W X 40D X 65H centimetres is essential to their wellbeing. Budgies are social birds and can be either kept in pairs or large groups, depending on the size of the cage/ aviary. Open top cages with perching areas are ideal for hand raised birds as they provide more freedom and interaction with their family. At night the cage should be covered with a sheet or cage cover to prevent drafts and reduce visual stress. Daily cleaning is required as they can be quite messy, it is common for them to flick seed scraps on the floor or cage bottom. They also moult throughout the year and produce dander or dust which will collect in the cage or on the floor. Perch placement inside the cage is another key factor, perches should not be located above food or water dishes to avoid contamination. Additionally, perches should vary in size, as perches of uniform diameter do not provide proper exercise for a parrot’s feet. Natural eucalyptus branches make excellent perches, but they must be cleaned thoroughly to remove any pesticides or bacteria. Other tree branches can be used as well, but it is essential to ensure they are non-toxic. Budgies are natural chewers/foragers; chew toys are used as a form of environmental enrichment to prevent psychological problems such as self-mutilation, feather plucking excessive squawking or stress caused by boredom. Enrichment can be chewing toys, play toys, leather toys, acrylic plastic toys, wooden toys, shredding toys, ropes, swings, ladders, bells, birdie balls, plain cardboard, small boxes, wicker baskets, tray of wheat grass, plants, bird baths, different foods, food kabobs and nuts. You may also find in your local area flowers and natives such as: Bottle Brush, Grevilia, Eucalypt Melaleuca flowers, Hibiscus, Marigold, Dandy lions leaf which can be added to the cage once treated appropriately.
Enrichment tip- Changing toys regularly or rotating existing toys will create interest for your bird as if they are receiving a whole new toy to play with.
Additionally, consider providing a separate play area outside of the cage where your bird can enjoy supervised out-of-cage time. This can be a bird-safe room or an outdoor aviary, depending on your living situation. Ensure that the area is free from hazards and provides plenty of opportunities for exploration and exercise.
SOCIALISATION, HANDLING & TRAINING
When taking your bird home for the first time, we strongly suggest leaving them in a quiet, relaxed situation to prevent stress and anxiety. It can take a few weeks for birds to settle into their new environment: babies also need lots of rest. After they have adjusted it is very important to spend lots of time with your bird, for hand tame birds; calm situations like watching TV, reading, eating breakfast or dinner is a perfect time to get your bird out for handling. Daily routines and adequate sleep are essential for your bird as they are emotionally complex, they appreciate routines and can become moody or stressed with too much change or lack of attention. Sleeping schedules should aim for 12 hours of uninterrupted sleep (natural winter day length) to prevent excessive moulting and reproductive activity. At night the cage should be covered with a sheet or cage cover to prevent drafts and reduce visual stress.
Budgies cannot talk like larger parrots; however, they can mimic sounds, words or phrases they hear often. With patience and persistence, you can teach your Budgie how to do this, repetition is key.
HEALTH ISSUES & SUPPLEMENTS
Vitamin Supplements- Can be added via the water supply, this is not necessary if you feed your bird any of the pellets mentioned above.
Calcium – Calcium perches, calcium bells or cuttlebone for are recommended to keep your birds nails and beak trim. Also provides a good source of calcium for bone development and during breeding season
Viatmin D Supplement- Essential for Budgies that are inside and do not receive direct unfiltered sunlight. Sun through a window is filtered so will not allow your bird to absorb vitamin D. Birds are unable to absorb calcium without vitamin D supplement.
Worming- Worming will need to be done every 3-6 months depending on the supplement to prevent digestive issues and malnutrition
Lice & Mites- The two most common parasites that you may encounter when owning a Budgie is lice and mites, but they are easily controlled with a spray, which is available in store.
Respiratory Infections- (Bacterial or Fungal like Aspergillosis) can cause symptoms such as sneezing, wheezing, nasal discharge, laboured breathing, coughing, or choking sounds. Causes of Respiratory infections come from poor ventilation, dust, mouldy food, or weakened immunity from stress/diet. Prevention: Keep cages dust-free and well-ventilated, avoid the use aerosols or cleaning products around their cage, clean weekly with bird-safe disinfectants. Annual vet check-ups catch early signs are essential. Treatment can include antibiotics or antifungals from a vet; severe cases need hospitalization.
Psittacosis- (Parrot Fever) can cause symptoms such as lethargy, appetite loss, diarrhea, nasal/eye discharge, green-tinged droppings, or breathing issues. Causes of this can come from Chlamydia bacteria found in contaminated droppings or wild birds. Prevention: Quarantine new birds 30+ days, maintain hygiene; test during routine exams. Treatment for Psittacosis includes Doxycycline antibiotics sourced from a vet.