Budgies/Parakeets as Pets!

With budgies/parakeets being the most popular pet parrot to keep I am sure you are wondering what are they really like as pets? – they are way more difficult than people give them credit for.

• very flighty – these parrots are more likely to flee from something that frightens them, initially. You can build your budgies confidence over time with training by they are definitely a more flighty companion.

• more likely to be hand phobic – this species along with cockatiels generally tend to be very hand phobic. This takes patience but can be worked on and I discussed how i did this in another blog post Budgie Flight Training!

• active – Budgies are very active! My 2 LOVE to fly around and they love to play with their toys they will go from destroying one toy to singing and preening each other to another toy all within the hour! which means they do need lots of enrichment but they are very entertaining pets to have!

• chatty – Budgies are not loud but they do have a constant chatter, larger parrots scream not often but they scream where as budgies are constantly chatting amongst themselves singing with music etc.

• smart – once you teach a budgie their first “trick” they will learn every other trick/skill surprisingly fast The Foundation Of Trick Training For Parrots! – How To Start

• fantastic companions once they are bonded to you – since they are flighty, active and hand phobic i wont lie it can be difficult to get them to trust you and want to interact but once you do they are the best companions you could ever have!

• Vet care is EXPENSIVE and limited – a general check up is not cheap and say something is wrong with your budgie you really cant do surgery or get x-rays etc. because it is SUPER risky to put a bird of that size under anesthetic.

• They need a very clean environment – all animals need clean environments but with how small and sensitive a budgies respiratory system is this is crucial!

• are very sensitive Common Items That Kill Parakeets/Budgies – Household Hazards Parrots

• Very social and need lost of enrichment – you cant have just one and they need to be foraging and have lots of toys that they can destroy Can you have a budgie/parakeet alone?

• diverse diet – budgies cannot just eat pellets or just eat seed they need vegetables, sprouts, seeds, microgreens, herbs, edible flowers, fruit etc. I encourage anyone who really wants to learn from the best about parrot nutrition to look up Dr. Jason Crean and Dr. Karen Becker. They are an amazing resource!