Budgerigars, or budgies for short, are adorable birds that make great pets. In fact, this type of bird is the third most popular pet after dogs and cats. This Australian bird is low-maintenance, adapts well to the home environment, and can even imitate your speech over time. If you just brought home your first budgie, make sure that the bird is always healthy and happy.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Making a House for the Budgie
Step 1. Buy a large cage
Birds must have space to play and spread their wings. If you care about your bird's well-being, try finding a cage model that will allow the bird to flap its wings. The birdcage should be at least 50 cm (deep) x 60 cm (height) x 80 cm (width).
- Buy a cage that is wider than it is tall and with a box-shaped roof. Budgies fly horizontally, not vertically like quail. Luxury roofed cages will only be a complete waste of your space and money.
- Don't buy a round cage, as budgies don't spread their wings and fly well.
- Your bird should be able to spread its wings and fly. Do not overcrowd the cage with toys, perches, or other budgies.
- Test several cages and look for a cage that can be cleaned easily. Can your hand get into the cage easily? Can you use a brush in it? Remember that budgies poop every 10 to 15 minutes!
- You can use the same cage if you decide to keep one more budgie. Try purchasing a larger cage model if you have more than two budgies.
Step 2. Add a bath
Budgies often urinate, but budgies are also good at keeping clean. This bird likes to get into the water for fun. Look for a small stable at the pet store that is made of plastic so you can hang it in the crate. These baths should be usable by the budgie and easy to refill from the outside.
- Do not fill the bath with too much water. Don't let your budgie spill water on the bottom of the cage every time he showers.
- The bath should be the same size as the bird's body so that it can immerse itself in the water.
- The bath tub is perfect for your pet budgie and your budgie will definitely love it. However, make sure the tub doesn't take up too much space. Budgies will clean themselves if you spray water on them, so they don't have to bathe themselves.
Step 3. Add some toys and perches of various thicknesses, shapes and textures
Natural perches are the best, especially when compared to plastic perches. Natural perches also look better. Make sure the perch is stable to avoid injury.
- There are several kinds of budgie toys. Look for ladders, bells, balls, and more. This toy will keep your budgie stimulated.
- Check to see if the wood is safe for your bird, such as eucalyptus. Dowels or plastic perches can cause problems with your budgie's feet due to a lack of exercise to move the legs.
- Avoid perches and toys made from prunus trees as these trees contain cyanogenic glycosides. Also avoid oak trees because they contain tannins. There is no evidence to suggest any birds have died from these trees, but keeping it safe is always better.
- Try to avoid dense perches as they will feel hard on the bird's feet. However, if you must use it, place it at the bottom of the cage.
- Don't give too many toys or perches. Two or three different toys are perfect for a budgie, but don't overcrowd the cage with unwanted toys and make the cage feel cramped. Budgies should have toys in their cage for “mental stimulation”, no toys can bore the budgie and the budgie will start plucking their fur.
Step 4. Think about the room
Try to keep your budgie in a warm room where there are no temperature fluctuations. A bright room will keep the bird stimulated and happy.
Do not place the cage in front of a window in direct sunlight or next to an open door. Cold winds and excessive sun exposure can kill birds
Part 2 of 4: Taking good care of your Budgie
Step 1. Feed your budgies an appropriate feed
A good budgie feed usually consists of whole grains, fresh fruits, and vegetables. You can buy budgie feed at a pet store or supermarket. This feed can meet most of the diet that your bird needs, but you can also supplement it with other types of feed such as cilantro, green vegetables, and others. Attempting to introduce pellets as bird feed along with a grain-only diet can lead to obesity.
- Never feed a budgie avocado, chocolate, caffeine, or alcohol. These foods are very toxic to budgies.
- Make sure your budgie has enough water in the jar. This bird will know how much water to drink. Change the water every day to prevent bacteria buildup.
- Add cuttlefish. Cuttlefish bones are a good natural source of calcium for budgies. Mineral blocks can also be purchased. Some people use liquid vitamins and mineral supplements, but both ingredients can be consumed through fresh fruits and vegetables.
Step 2. Clean the budgie's cage at least once a week
This will keep the budgie away from germs. Clean with only a small amount of laundry soap and water and do not use any other cleaning products unless you are 100 percent sure that the washing products are safe for birds.
Try humidifying the bird with a misting spray to keep the bird cool
Step 3. Create a good environment for sleeping
When it's time to sleep, cover the cage with a towel or light blanket. Make sure the aviary is still ventilated-don't let your new bird suffocate!
- This also helps when the atmosphere is noisy. A blanket will block out most noise.
- If your budgie is afraid of the dark, add a little night light. Don't let the bird panic. Birds will fly around the cage and will hurt themselves.
- Check the towels to make sure you don't get caught in your budgie's claws.
Step 4. Don't forget to keep an eye on his health
Take your budgie to a veterinary surgeon at least once a year for a checkup. If your bird is acting strangely or you notice anything unusual, go to a veterinary surgeon as soon as possible.
Look for signs such as abnormal breathing, discharge in the eyes and beak, mucus in the feathers, unusual behavior, and weight loss. If any of these symptoms occur, contact a veterinary surgeon immediately
Part 3 of 4: Adapt
Step 1. Make sure your budgie feels comfortable when he comes to his new home
Give your budgie time to get used to his new environment-about three to four days. Don't rush to take care of your budgie. Budgie will adapt itself.
- Stay close to the cage. Speak to your budgie sweetly and slowly while you wait for the budgie to adapt, but don't try to hold him. Your budgie will get used to you in a few days to a few weeks.
- Quarantine your budgie for four weeks if you keep another budgie. Once you're sure the budgie is free of disease, move the cages closer together without mixing the birds. The new Budgie will slowly introduce himself to his new friends.
- Avoid noise and screaming. Budgie will be stressed by this new environment.
- Name your budgie. Say his name often, especially when feeding him so he gets used to his new name.
Step 2. Introduce your family members progressively
Budgies may get confused if there are too many people. Introduce the budgie to one family member at a time and ask them to repeat their name. Let your family members feed the bird to earn its trust.
- Be careful if you have other pets, especially cats. Cats are natural predators and cats will make budgies for food. Keep the cat in a separate room with the budgie at all times to avoid unnecessary stress. Dogs also find it easier to get excited. Dog barking can scare budgies.
- See if your children treat the budgie with care. Young children are usually very excited when they get a new pet. Always make sure to be indoors when they see birds. Do not let them hit the cage or try to grip the budgie.
Step 3. Strive to win the budgie's trust
Place your hands in the cage every other day. Just put it there and don't move for a while. Repeat for a few days to get your budgie used to you.
- When the budgie seems to accept your hand, insert your finger into the cage. Then, slightly push the budgie's chest. This will encourage the budgie to climb on your finger. Do this for a few days.
- Feed the budgie from your finger. Dip your finger in the water and put a few grains of millet on top. The water will make the millet sticks to the fingers. Place your finger near the budgie's mouth, and the budgie will eat the millet once it gets used to you.
- After doing this a few times, gently hold the budgie in your hand. Do this briefly at first. Then add the time.
Step 4. Don't touch your budgie too much during its first two or three weeks with you
Over time, as you get used to your new environment, interact more with your budgie and your budgie will learn that you are his friend, not a predator.
If you hurry, your budgie will start to feel a little nervous and scared. This will make you fail to blend in with the budgie
Step 5. Always treat your budgie with love and kindness
Remember that the bird is very fragile compared to the strength of a human hand, so you should treat it with care.
- Always remember to teach people new to birds how to hold and play with these fragile little creatures.
- Never kiss a budgie. Human saliva is highly toxic to budgies and can transmit disease easily.
Part 4 of 4: Keeping Your Budgie Stimulated
Step 1. Weigh the pros and cons of a mirror
Adding a mirror in a budgie's cage can keep the bird entertained for hours. Budgies like to talk to their own reflections but be aware that there is debate about the potential psychological harm of mirror placement.
- Instead of a mirror, consider keeping a second bird. Budgies like company and will welcome new friends.
- The presence of a mirror will cause infection in the cache because birds like parakeets usually regurgitate their food to feed their partners, usually this is done by males, but females also often do it. The mirror (as well as the feeding) will not offer the required feedback and can only be obtained from the original partner.
- If you decide to install a mirror, make sure it is mounted in the cage and is not a risk to your bird.
Step 2. Talk and play often with your budgie
Your bird will love the interaction and play and will squeak a lot. Movement of fingers in front of his face-if he shakes his head in the same direction, it means he likes to play and is very active.
Step 3. Let the budgie fly indoors
Once the bird is comfortable with you and its environment, you can let it fly indoors with the windows and doors closed. To call him back, turn off all the lights and open the curtains on one of the windows, but remember that the windows must be tightly closed. Budgies will be attracted to the light. Gently catch it and put it back in the cage.
- Make sure the bird is safe. Keep the cat away and find a way to escape.
- Think about personal hygiene. Budgie will pee on the floor. Don't let it fly in a carpeted room.
Tips
- Make it a routine to clean the cage, water, and budgies so you don't forget.
- Cover your hands if you are afraid of being bitten.
- Be patient with your new budgie. If you're frustrated, don't show it! You will stress the bird.
Warning
- Don't trim your budgie's wings or paws unless you have extensive previous experience caring for budgies and are very knowledgeable about what you're doing.
- Your budgie may bite you if frightened or as a warning, so try to keep it calm when handling it. Don't worry about being bitten by a budgie. Budgie bites rarely hurt or bleed. Talk to your budgie in a calm, gentle voice. Never pull your hand suddenly when your budgie bites. Just tap the beak or gently blow on the budgie, but don't pull your finger. Don't overdo it as your budgie will feel like this is a game.
