Caring For Your Budgie

The budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus) belongs to the parrot species (Psittaciformes) and to the family of the actual parrot (Psittacidae). Budgerigars are recognizable by the undulating pattern of their plumage.

The home of the budgerigar is Australia where it was discovered by the money forger Thomas Watling supposedly in 1792. In 1840, the first live specimens were exported to England. The trade with budgerigars rose in such leaps and bounds that the Australian government finally imposed an export prohibition for budgerigars in 1884. This export prohibition is still valid today although the budgerigar doesn't belong to the list of the threatened species in Australia.

The budgerigar is originally green with a yellow face. There are currently approximately 100 standard color types that are acknowledged by the breeding associations. The brightest colors of budgerigars are blue, yellow and gray. There are also white budgerigars.

Budgerigars are regarded as relatively easy to keep and care for, nevertheless some things should be heeded so that these birds can live life to the full.

Budgerigars are swarm birds. Therefore you must always keep at least one pair but they are better still held in a smaller swarm with several birds. The cage should be sufficiently big and should have at least one length of 80cm for one pair. A small swarm of maximum 6 budgerigars needs a room aviary of at least 1m² space. Furthermore you should keep an eye on it that the budgerigars get free flight in the room daily. The cage should be cleaned with a mild washing liquid and lots of fresh water thoroughly at least once weekly.

Budgerigars are fed with the trade standard seed mix. Additionally, the budgerigar therefore needs different kinds of ripe millet which are very high-calorie only as a treat and daily fruit such as apples and pears or vegetables like Cucumber or carrot. However, the budgerigar doesn't tolerate all fruit and vegetable types. Therefore, a veterinarian or budgie expert should be consulted if there is any doubt.

Budgerigars need fresh water in a bird bath and drinking water which both must be changed at least once a day (minimum). Budgerigars also need very fine grit (sand) for their digestion. It is also necessary to provide your budgerigar with a cuttlefish shell or a mineral stone with which it can rub its beak smooth.

One should refrain from using perch poles and toys from plastic. I recommend perch poles from natural material like wood in different diameters with which it can train the joints and can nibble at. And please, by no means put plastic budgerigars and mirrors into the cage as they are regarded as animal cruelty objects (torture). Such 'toys' are no substitute for a partner and cause major behavioral disorders and aggressions with birds which are kept alone.

With proper care budgerigars can live to be very old. Ages of over 15 years are not uncommon.

Labels: bird feed, birds, budgerigar, budgie, budgie diet, budgie stories, budgies