Budgerigars, often called budgies or parakeets, are small, playful parrots from Australia. With good care they commonly live 5 to 10 years or more. They are very social and need daily interaction.
At a glance
| Lifespan | Commonly 5–10+ years |
| Social needs | Flock birds; happiest with another budgie or lots of daily attention |
| Diet | Pellets and seeds plus fresh vegetables |
| Activity | Need time out of the cage and daily mental stimulation |
Cage and environment
- Choose a cage wider than it is tall so birds can fly short distances. Bar spacing should be small enough that a head cannot get stuck, typically about 1–1.2 cm (under ½ in).
- Provide perches of different thicknesses and materials, such as natural wood branches, to keep feet healthy.
- Add toys to chew, climb and shred, and rotate them to prevent boredom.
- Place the cage in a lively part of the home but away from the kitchen, drafts, direct sun and air-conditioning vents.
- Give birds supervised time out of the cage in a bird-safe room every day.
Diet
A diet of seeds alone is high in fat and lacks important vitamins, which can lead to obesity and health problems.
- Pellets or a quality seed mix as a base. Many avian vets recommend gradually moving budgies toward a pellet-based diet.
- Fresh vegetables daily, such as leafy greens, broccoli, carrot and peppers.
- Small amounts of fruit as a treat.
- Fresh water every day, and clean dishes.
Never feed avocado, which is toxic to birds, and avoid chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, salty and sugary foods, and onion or garlic.
Household dangers for birds
Birds’ lungs are extremely sensitive to airborne toxins.
- Non-stick cookware (PTFE, often sold as Teflon) can release fumes when overheated that kill birds within minutes. Keep birds far from the kitchen and consider other cookware.
- Aerosol sprays, air fresheners, scented candles, smoke and strong cleaning products can also be harmful.
- Open windows and doors, ceiling fans, mirrors, uncovered water (sinks, toilets) and other pets are common causes of injury.
Health warning signs
Birds instinctively hide illness, so any change can be significant. See an avian veterinarian if your budgie:
- Sits fluffed up and sleepy for long periods, especially on the cage floor
- Has tail bobbing with each breath or open-mouth breathing
- Stops eating, or has changes in droppings lasting more than a day
- Has discharge from the eyes or nostrils, or a crusty beak or feet
Common mistakes
- Keeping a single budgie with little human interaction
- Feeding only seeds
- Keeping birds in or near the kitchen
- Clipping or confining birds so they never get exercise
Sources
- RSPCA and PDSA budgerigar care guidance
- Avian veterinary guidance on PTFE toxicity in birds