Help and advice for Budgies
For a bird whose name translates as "good bird," it can hardly fail to impress us as a pet. The Budgerigar, also known as parakeet in USA, is indeed a good bird to have around the home. Its refined manners and cheerful disposition keeps the whole family chirpy while its resilient nature and straightforward feeding makes it an easily maintained pet. Despite this fact, millions of budgies die every year through unnecessary disease caused by poor feeding and unsuitable husbandry. Budgies can easily become overweight if they have inadequate exercise. If they are kept in draughty areas, they develop colds and respiratory problems, which if untreated can prove fatal. Likewise if they are not supplied with clean fresh water, enteritis will develop, killing the bird.
Company
Pet budgies remain very similar to their native Australian counterparts and mimic their behaviour. In the wild budgies are sociable creatures, and enjoy the company of the group. When brought to captivity and forced to live solitary lives, the birds do suffer - unless they have adequate human contact and stimulating surroundings. First time owners will also find it easier keeping two birds as opposed to one; the birds will distract each other, placing fewer demands on the owner. Don't put two females together as they may fight - male and females or two males normally get along but allow a probationary period together beforehand. Single birds should only be considered if you will be at home most of the time and want to form a close relationship with your pet. If you already have birds keep the newcomer separate for several weeks as it could be carrying a disease. It also avoids any problems of bullying.
Buying a budgie
Males and females are distinguishable by their ceres (waxy skin at the top of the beak). With females the cere is usually brown while males tend to have blue or violet ceres.
If hoping for a tame bird then it's best to opt for a young bird, anywhere from 2 - 6 months in age. Young birds are characterised by dark irises with no sign of white, duller matted colours than mature birds and wavy faded markings on the head. The beak is a darker colour in callow birds.
Healthy birds are agile and alert, and hop from perch to perch. Budgies will show natural shyness but if the bird appears extrovert, it may be a sign of illness as opposed to tameness. If healthy the bird will have a regular pattern of breathing - quiet and quite quick, with its beak closed. An open beak accompanied by breathing noises and watery or creamy discharge from the eyes and the top of the beak, denote a respiratory condition. The chances are the bird will be unable to feed properly as a result.
The feathers should be smooth and glossy (except during moulting). Be wary if the head feathers are arched or the plumage is fluffed. These are signs of illness. Such symptoms indicate the bird is trying to conserve heat. Vent feathers should be clean and dry; if soiled, it could indicate intestinal or kidney disease. A healthy budgie will have green droppings, which solidify quickly and are topped with white, an excretion from the kidneys.
Ideally your budgie should move quickly, preen itself frequently, have active contact with its companions, and eat and drink at short intervals. Showing every sign of health, it is the bird for you.
What you will need
The most important thing for a budgie is its cage. A budgie's cage is its home and should promote the occupant's health and happiness; it should not be a prison cell. The bird, for example, needs a limited amount of freedom so the cage should be big enough to let the bird fly around. Recommended cage size is 20 inches long x 12 inches wide x 18 inches high. Obviously if there is more than one bird a bigger cage will be required. Decorate the cage with colourful accessories that offer plenty of stimulation.
Perches
Cages should be supplied with perches. These are needed for toe exercises and flexing muscles in the feet. The perches must be wide enough so that the bird's feet do not reach all the way round. Natural branches such as willow, elder and apple tree can also be used. Be sure to wash them before putting them in the cage, and that they are free from bird droppings. Natural branches have other advantages - the budgies chew the bark which boosts their intake of vitamins and nutrients. They also help keep the budgies nails in trim. After a few months the branches are stripped clean and should be replaced. Do not place water containers underneath perches because they will be contaminated with droppings.
Sand and grit
Lining the birdcage with grit or pebbly sand guarantees effective digestion of food.
Birds do not have teeth so instead their food is processed in a muscular gizzard which grinds the seed. Yet in order to function, the gizzard relies on grit swallowed by the bird at an earlier stage.
Cage fittings Drinkers
Owners have a choice of spouted drinkers which can be attached to the sides of the cage, or an open cup (which should not be placed on the floor of the cage). Initially, both types should be provided as budgies may have difficulty using the spouted variety of drinker in the early days.
The drinking water should be changed at least twice daily because bacteria multiply rapidly, particularly under warm conditions. Contaminated water could prove lethal and the birds may refuse to drink altogether, leading to dehydration.
Cuttlefish Bone
This belongs in every cage. It is usually clipped to the cage wire. The bird uses it for beak trimming and a source of calcium and phosphorous.
Budgies like swings of all sorts, and solid plastic toys. Mirrors are also very popular but males may become stressed by their reflection. Believing it to be a possible mate or a rival, they sometimes react badly.
Feed
Budgerigars eat a mixture of seeds (canary seed, millet, linseed, and rape seed). They are also fond of sunflower seeds and a selection of seeding grasses. Budgerigars will also need fresh green feed. This can include sprouted feed, fruit and vegetables; spinach, dandelion, carrot, apple, etc. Wash them before putting them in the cage. Don't leave fresh foods in the cage for any more than a few hours as bacteria will quickly form on it. Never give junk food, strongly salted or spiced food, butter, crackers, crisps, soft drinks to budgies.
Location of cage
The budgie should feel safe and comfortable at all times and having established the cage, the next factor is its location. The cage must be kept away from direct sunlight, and in a draught free place. Budgies prefer to be at the same level as the human head or slightly higher so they can observe from above. Birds find this comforting; in the wild budgies must be on the alert for predators but in an elevated cage the view is less daunting and gives a feeling of control.
Cleaning
The bird's cage should be cleaned on a weekly to kill bacteria and ensure the continued health of the bird. Perches and containers should be cleaned, droppings cleared away and leftover seed removed. The cage should be completely dry before the bird is returned.
Joys of nature
In the wild budgies soak up sunshine as it provides vitamin D. In captivity it does no harm to give budgies a short spell of sunbathing. When placing the cage in sunshine, always be sure that the birds have shade and cool fresh water. Likewise, you can provide them with a shower of rain. Wild budgies are acclimatised to dry arid climates but when rain falls, they become very active. To provide some natural stimulation for your budgie, let it experience a light shower. Remove bowls and cuttlebone from the cage, and place it outdoors for 15 minutes. The budgie will stretch its whole body to the rain but if it is frightened, give up and try again some other time.
Experts recommend that budgies be allowed free flight around a particular room in the house. This is necessary for the bird's health; it boosts the muscular and heart system and aids blood circulation. A bird will signal its desire to fly freely outside its cage by shaking its plumage vigorously. However, before letting the bird loose in the room, some caution is advised. Budgies will attack all manner of things, furniture, walls, paper, so supervision may be required. Birds should also be kept away from poisonous plants (daffodils, autumn crocus, azalea, nightshade), which they are liable to eat. All doors and windows should be closed to prevent escape. To make the budgie return to its cage, put some seed in the cage. The bird will eventually enter the cage at will. Never lose your patience with your budgie as this will undo the bird's trust in you.
Did you know...
The budgie's scientific name translates as "song parrot with undulations." The word budgerigar is a corruption of the aboriginal Australian word betcherrigah which stands for "good bird."
The most active organ in the budgie's body is its heart. It beats at 300-500 beats per minute (in comparison to the human heart which beats 75 times a minute).
Budgies have a very fast metabolism which means they eat regularly. An average budgie eats 40grammes of food in the morning and the same at night.
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