• Life expectancy: 5-10 years, sometimes up to 20

• Can learn to speak

• “Psittacine” who uses their hooked beak to climb

The most popular pet bird is a type of parakeet called the Budgerigar (budgie). Budgies are native to Australia and have been domestically bred since the 1800s. In the wild, the only colour to occur naturally is green, but a variety of beautiful colours are available through selective breeding.

In adult budgies, males are usually identified by a blue cere, the soft, waxy area above the beak where the nostrils are located. Females typically have beige or brown ceres. Baby budgies can be more difficult to sex, as their ceres are often light purple rather than the distinct adult colours.

No matter the colour or sex, budgies can be excellent companions. Both males and females can be tamed and taught to speak.

English vs Standard Budgie

Physically, English budgies are about a head taller than the standard budgie, and weigh about 50-60g (the standard budgie weighs 30-40g). They also have fluffier feathers and a slightly deeper voice.

Some say English budgies are calmer and more laid back in nature, with a greater inclination to speak. Regardless of adding an English or standard budgie to your family, their care and training are the same. The only exception is that with a bigger size, the English budgie will require a larger enclosure.

Handling

Budgies can very readily be finger tamed and learn the “step up” command. This skill makes out-of-cage time more enjoyable, and can be an excellent bonding opportunity. Ask a pet counsellor to show you how to get started!

Our pet counsellors are bird lovers and because they are, they hold and play with the budgies in our store. Our guests also play a big part in our budgie’s social skills through handling and interacting. This is why a Petland budgie is quick to bond with their new caregiver.

To provide a happy, healthy atmosphere for your budgie, Petland recommends the following necessary, and fun accessories. We have listed them as your new pet’s four basic needs: Environmental, Behavioural, Nutritional, and Maintenance. When these needs are met, along with a loving environment provided by you, your budgie can live a long and happy life.

ENVIRONMENTAL

Enclosure – When choosing a cage for your budgie, get the largest cage that you can. Even with out-of-cage time, your budgie will require room for all of their toys, perches, and dishes, and stretching of their wings. A budgie cage has bars that are horizontal and spaced close together so that the budgie can climb comfortably. Your pet counsellor can show you homes specifically designed for your bird.

Ensure the location of the cage is draft free, away from heat or air-conditioning vents, and not in direct sunlight. It should also be in a room where people frequently hang out so that the budgie feels part of the family. Consider using a cage stand to hold the cage and store supplies.

Cage Cover – A cage cover helps your budgie get the rest they need (approximately 12 hours). Remember that birds wake at sunrise and sleep at sunset. The cover can be a blanket, but make sure the budgie is not shredding it, as this can pose a choking risk.

Lighting – Your bird needs daily exposure to ultraviolet light. In our climate, regular outdoor access is not always possible, and sunlight through a window is ineffective because the glass filters out important UV rays. Using a UVA/UVB bulb and avian floor lamp is therefore essential.

UVA and UVB light help prevent calcium and vitamin D3 deficiencies, which can lead to serious health problems. UV exposure also allows birds to see colours properly, as they can become effectively colour blind without it. In addition, UVA light may help reduce abnormal behaviours such as feather plucking, phobias, and aggression. For more information, ask a pet counsellor for a copy of the Ultraviolet Lighting for Birds and Reptiles Tip Sheet.

Perches – Birds are not meant to stand on the same perch size all the time. Provide your budgie with a variety of perch diameters for proper foot exercise, ideally using rope or natural wood. Place these higher in the cage where they prefer to rest. Rough perches (like concrete or sandpaper) can help trim nails but should be placed lower so they’re used less often. Ensure perches allow easy access to food and water, without being positioned above dishes where droppings could contaminate them.

Playpen or Portable Perch – When your budgie is having their daily out-of-cage time, wood playpens and portable perches are an ideal safe place for them. It is also a great space for you to interact, train, and play with your budgie!

BEHAVIOURAL

Toys – Toys typically mimic the natural activities of the species in the wild, such as foraging, building nests, and attracting a mate. Providing a variety of toys will give them the extra mental stimulation and entertainment they need. Without, they can grow bored and take up bad behaviours such as plucking, or screaming. Petland recommends that you purchase several toys and rotate them weekly, as they will be less interested in the toys if they are left in the cage all the time.

A pacifier toy is fashioned to encourage preening. Ladders, rope toys, sturdy plastic or acrylic interactive toys are great options.

Note: Mirrors can cause stress or anxiety. Many birds that have access to mirrors will not interact with their caregivers.

Socialization – Budgies are social birds that thrive on companionship and interaction. Your budgie will see your family as their flock, so it is important to include them in daily life at home. If you are away much of the day or have limited time to spend with your bird, your budgie will likely be happier with a feathered friend.

NUTRITIONAL

Staple Diet – Budgie seed mix or pellets should be available at all times. Because budgies often pick out their favorite seeds, pellets help ensure a balanced diet. Check food daily, replace if soiled, and don’t be misled by empty husks. Refill the dish every day.

Fresh Foods – Birds should be offered a salad of fresh foods every day. Vegetables like carrots (and tops), broccoli, beets, green beans, snow peas, navy and lima beans, sweet potatoes, and eggplant make good choices. Other alternatives include pasta, rice, and whole wheat toast. Offer a finely chopped cooked egg once or twice a week as a rich source of protein. Fruits should be considered a treat and offered minimally.

Every bird is different in their tastes. While your budgie may love certain fruits and vegetables, they may reject others. Keep trying and offer a variety. With exposure, they will be more willing to try in the future. Feed fresh foods in a separate dish, and remove it after one hour.

Treats – Packaged seed treats, honey sticks, and spray millet are great options. They provide your budgie with the variety they crave and the behavioural requirements they need. Treats will keep them busy picking and gnawing, while giving them a tasty alternative to staple food and fresh foods.

Spray Millet – Millet is one of the few foods budgies would naturally find in the wild. When bringing your budgies home, offer spray millet daily, as it may be the only food they feel comfortable eating at first. Once they have settled into their new environment, reduce millet treats to once or twice a week.

Cuttlebone – Cuttlebone will supply your budgie with calcium, phosphorus, and other minerals. Hang it in their cage where droppings cannot soil it. Replace it every two months, as they are very porous and absorb odours and fumes from the environment, such as smoke or cooking smells. If your bird does not show interest in the cuttlebone, grind it up into powder and mix it with their salad or favourite treat.

Iodine Block – An iodine block provides iodine, copper, and many other minerals in small quantities. It is fun to chew, and tasty too. A pellet staple diet meets the required iodine levels in birds, making the iodine block unessential unless feeding a seed staple diet.

Vitamin and Mineral Supplement – If a budgie’s diet is made up primarily of pellets (90%) and they enjoy a variety of vegetables, fruits, seeds, and other nutritious foods, then a vitamin supplement is not necessary and could be harmful. If a budgie’s diet is not ideal (i.e. strictly on seed), then we recommend the addition of a high-quality powdered vitamin. This is best administered on top of their daily salad.

MAINTENANCE

Food Dishes – Food and water should always be available for your budgie. You will need four dishes; one for the staple diet, one for fresh foods, one for water, and one for seed treats.

Substrate – Cage paper is easy to remove and will not become a soppy mess like paper towels or newspaper when water is splashed on it. Paper-based bedding may be used if there is a grate overtop to prevent the bird from foraging amongst their feces.

Bird Bath/Showering – Offer your budgie a daily misting shower or a shallow bowl of warm water for bathing. Use a clean spray bottle with warm water and mist gently from above if they dislike direct spraying. If they are hesitant to bathe, place a damp lettuce leaf in the bowl to encourage curiosity.

Cage Cleaner – Use a pet-safe cleaner, ideally one that is enzyme-based to break down stains and odours. Clean the cage weekly with the cleaner or hot water and mild soap, then rinse and dry thoroughly. Avoid bleach and other household cleaners, as they can irritate your pet’s respiratory system or cause even worse problems.

Nail Clippers, File, and Coagulant – Your budgie’s nails will grow continuously. Nail clippers made especially for birds must be used. Alternatively, use a file to blunt the tip of the nail. Take care not to trim too short or cut into the blood vessels running through each nail. Keep a blood coagulant on hand in case this happens.

Wing Trimmers – Flight feathers should be trimmed regularly to prevent accidents, injury, or worse. Use trimmers found in the dog department, as they have a rounded tip for added safety. If a blood feather is clipped, use blood coagulant to stop the bleeding. If you prefer, ask your pet counsellor to make an appointment to have this done for you.

Cleanliness and Safety

All pets can potentially carry diseases that may be contagious to people. Hygiene procedures, such as washing your hands before and after handling your pet or its habitat, are necessary. Children should be assisted with hand washing and always have adult supervision when interacting with pets.

Attention: Certain cookware, aerosols, incense, aromatic candles, and household cleaners may be harmful or worse to your bird’s health. Ask a pet counsellor for a copy of the Safety Tips & Household Hazards Tip Sheet.

CHECKLIST

• Enclosure

• (Optional) Cage stand

• Cage cover

• UV light bulb and lamp

• A variety of perches

• Playpen or portable perch

• A variety of toys

• Staple diet (seeds or pellets)

• Treats

• Spray millet

• Cuttlebone

• (Optional) Iodine block

• (Optional) Vitamin and mineral supplement

• Food dishes

• Substrate

• Bird bath or spray bottle

• Cage cleaner

• Nail clippers and coagulant

• Wing trimmers

Please ask your pet counsellor what other items pertain to your pet’s needs.

Click here to find all your budgie's needs.