Parakeets

"Caring For Your Parakeet"

Parakeets, like the lovebird, are small parrots that are around 7 to 10 inches from top of their head to the tip of their tail.

(The American Parakeet is smaller than the English Budgie, although they are they same bird.) They are some of the most common bird pets because they are small. People who live in apartments often choose Parakeets because dogs and cats aren’t allowed. Parakeets, also called Budgerigars, live 10-15 years in captivity.

Answer the following questions before deciding to buy a Parakeet:

1. Can I provide an appropriate location and space for this bird to live?

2. Will I be able to provide a safe environment for the bird?

3. Can I spend supervised time with this bird outside of the cage each day?

4. Can I handle the natural calls this bird makes?

5. Can I or another mature responsible person take care of this bird for its lifetime?

Answering yes to each of these questions shows a parakeet may be a good choice for you. Originally from Australia, the Budgie, as it is sometimes called, was first captured in the late 1700s. They have been a popular pet ever since. There are no typical colors for a parakeet as their colors are quite diverse.

They don’t live as long as their larger parrot cousins, they can still endear themselves to your heart much the way a macaw or conure might do. You can tell the species by the Cere – females have a brownish cere, the males’ cere is blue. This difference is only recognizable after the bird has reached at least 6 months of age.

Many people don’t consider parakeets to be true parrots, they are, however. Their size and price make them a great choice for someone considering a first-time avian purchase.

Some advantages to owning a Budgie include less mess, less noise to deal with, and a smaller beak that will do less damage – to finger or household items. You really can’t go wrong with these little guys. They can even learn to talk if you work with them daily, although they may not learn quite as many words and phrases as larger parrots.

Like all parrots, the Parakeet is a social animal and will relish the time it can spend with you outside of its cage. A tamed bird will sit on your shoulder for as long as you’ll let it. They can be trained to do as many tricks as you can come up with. Treat your Parakeet with love and be ready to be surprised at what it can learn.

Feeding your parakeet a diet of entirely seeds is not good for any bird. Commercially prepared pellets should comprise 60% of their diet. Fortified seeds can be given in moderation; however you may also give your Parakeet fresh fruits and vegetables.

Grated carrots, green, leafy vegetables, raw broccoli, and apple slices are all good choices for supplements. Discard any fruits and vegetables that have not been eaten after 24 hours. Chocolate, avocados, fruit seeds, and caffeine are poisonous; never feed them to your Parakeet.

Choose a small cage, 18”W x 18”D x 24”H, and keep it up off the floor and out of drafts. You will also want to provide several perches for your Parakeet at different levels and with metal bars no greater than ½” apart. Make sure that food and water bowls are not Provide a chew proof ladder would also be a good idea along with plenty of toys for them to play with and wood to chew.

Clean the cage and perches regularly, provide it with non-chlorinated water for your Parakeet to play and bathe in. Replace any worn toys, dishes, or perches as necessary. Rotate toys to keep your Parakeet from getting bored.

Unlike other parrots, you do not need to clip their flight feathers. If you would like to do this to prevent injury or escape, check with your veterinarian for help doing this.

Spending time with your Parakeet is something to look forward to as they can return your affection. There is a reason Parakeets are so popular, they are talkers with a quiet voice. They can be taught to mimic and play with humans. They are intelligent birds who can become an important part of the family and much more than just a family pet.