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Budgerigar, Parakeets

Budgies

Family: PsittacidaeA Group of Very Colorful BudgiesMelopsittacus undulatusPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

   Not only does the Parakeet or Budgerigar make a super pet, but is also available in over 100 color forms!

  Colorful, attractive, and lively are just some of the great attributes of the Parakeet or Budgerigar. With their warm and inquisitive personalities, they make a great pet for both the beginner or an experienced bird keeper. They are quite hardy, inexpensive, and easy to care for.

To learn more about Parakeets and their needs visit:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Parakeet

Geographic Distribution Melopsittacus undulatus Data provided by GBIF.org Scientific Classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psittacidae

Scientific Name: Melopsittacus undulatus

Overview, history, and species variants:    The parakeet, or Budgerigar, belongs to the family of true parrots, which explains why the parakeet is relatively adept at learning to talk. The parakeet comes from Australia and the first European to write anything about these colorful birds was John Gould in 1865 in his work titled "Birds of Australia".
   This bird, along with about 30 - 45 other small broad-tailed parrot species, belong to a tribe called Platycercini. The members of this group are all native to Australia in particular, but also to Australasia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, and nearby islands. Besides the Budgerigar, It includes birds like the grass parrots, Rosellas, and the New Zealand parrots.
   In the wild, the Parakeet or Budgerigar, comes from the interior of Australia where the landscape is almost desert-like and there are no regular rainy seasons. This arid environment will go for months and sometimes years without rain. Needless to say, this is a hardy bird.

Pet appeal:    Parakeets make very good pets as long as they have a lot of attention and love. These birds are very social by nature. Living in groups of 20 to 40 and sometimes as many as 60 birds in the wild, and donÂ’t like to be left alone. So if you own only one bird and you work 8 hour days, think about possibly getting him a mate or finding someone to at least keep the bird company for part of the time that you are gone. Parakeets make just as good of pets singly or in pairs or more, but make sure that you introduce one bird at a time.
   Parakeets are monogamous so once they find a mate it is usually for life unless of course one of them has an untimely death in which the other would then find a new mate. Parakeets are very good flyers. In the wild they fly back and forth across vast regions searching for food and water, so provide them with free flying time and you will have a much happier birds.

Description:    Parakeets come in over 100 color forms but primarily in green (typical in the wild), various shades of blue, opaline, gray, white, yellow (lutino), pied (combination in one bird), and in various shades of these colors, some rarer than others.
   Parakeets are 7" to 9 3/8" in length from the tip of the bill over the head to the tip of the tail. The tail by itself is 3 1/8" to 4 1/2" long. Parakeets weigh anywhere from 1 - 1.4 ounces ( 30-40g). The life expectancy of the average parakeet is 12 to 14 years. They reach sexual maturity at 3 to 4 months. By this time they have there adult plumage which is quite unusual in the bird kingdom.

Care and feeding:    Ready made staple seed mixes are usually available at your local pet store or super market which contains a mixture of canary grass seed, white millet, yellow millet, oats and groats and red millet, niger seed and linseed. Some higher quality seed mixtures come with thistle, anise, rape, sesame, and safflower seed. Vitamin pellets with iodine in them are sometimes present to prevent thyroid problems. Store seed in a dark but airy place. Not in plastic bags but in a clothes bag in a closet. Offer fresh foods such as eggplant, green peas, cucumber, young dandelion greens, sweet corn, beet greens, carrots, unsprayed lettuce, green peppers, sorrel, spinach leaves, tomatoes and zucchini. Fruits that are suitable are: Pineapples, apples, apricots, bananas, most other fruits.
   Food that is bad for birds includes: All members of the cabbage family, raw and green potatoes, green beans, grapefruit, rhubarb, plums, lemons, avocado.
   Parakeets also need a mineral block and a cuttlebone in their cage. These provide all the minerals and trace elements that they need. Offer spray millet every so often as a treat. And of course fresh water daily.

Housing:    Provide a roomy cage with the minimum dimensions of: 20" long x 12" deep x 18" high. The ideal size is: 40" long x 20" deep x 32" high. Preferably a cage with horizontal bars to make climbing easier. You can also attach a perch/play area on top of the cage. In the cage have about three perches of different diameters (or branches with some angling) without the sandpaper guards. A swing and mirror among other toys are available but be sure to leave enough room for flying! Food and water dishes, preferably automatic dispensing, or if not, ones with guards to prevent waste contamination. Clips to hold spray millet and fresh food. A bath house with a textured bottom is a favorite, or a slow running faucet will do. Provide a breeding box if breeding is what you have in mind.

Maintenance:    The basic cage care includes daily cleaning of the water and food dishes. Weekly you should wash all the perches and dirty toys, and the floor should be washed about every other week. A total hosing down and disinfecting of an aviary should be done yearly, replacing anything that needs to be freshened, such as old dishes, toys and perches.

Handling and training:    Take it slow at first and let the parakeet get used to you and its new surroundings before trying to get him to go onto your finger. Allow flying time and donÂ’t worry about catching him to put him back into the cage, leave the cage door open and sooner or later he will get hungry. After a while curiosity will overcome fear and training can begin.
   Most but not all parakeets have the inclination to talk, be repetitive and patient.

Activities:
   Free flying time is very important. Try to offer several hours a day in a bird safe room. A bird tree ( this can be made by wiring branches together into a tree or surrounding a tall house plant with perches, not poisonous of course), is very useful. Set it across the room from the cage, so that they fly back and forth. This will provide them with ample exercise.

Breeding:    The male parakeet's cere is blue and the femaleÂ’s is tan or light yellow. The "cere" is the area located at the base of the beak, just below the forehead or crown area. It is where the two nostril type openings (nares) are also located. There are a few exceptions, but for the most part this coloration is fairly accurate. In young parakeets, under 3 months, it is pale pink to tanish but changes after sexual maturity.
   If a pair of parakeets are ready to mate they will court one another first by playing and then feeding each other. The male then attempts a balancing act on the females back and lowers his tail under hers till the vents connect.
   The female picks the nesting sight and lays her eggs, one or two every other day, for a total of 4 to 6 eggs in a clutch. Incubation is 18 days but the hen will remain on the nest till the chicks start to get featherÂ’s. Separate the nesting hen from the other parakeets. Nesting material is not necessary till after the chicks hatch then you can cover the bottom of the box with pine shavings, never saw dust. Be sure that the hen is feeding the young and if not, hand rearing may be necessary.

Potential Problems:    The most common would be a parakeet plucking out its own feathers. This is usually caused from loneliness and boredom. Another problem is if the leg band is too tight then a veterinarian will have to remove it. If taken care of, the parakeet is a hardy pet well worth the money and effort!

Availability: Budgies are readily available and inexpensive.

Author: Clarice Brough, CAS

Lastest Comments on Budgerigars - Parakeets View all 601 comments on Budgerigars - Parakeets Add Your Comment

Beth Coleman - 2012-02-02 Hi. I was just woundering what kind of parakeet I got. They said it was a girl. But I think it is to young to tell because where the holes are it is pink in color. She is sold yellow with red/pink eyes. She is very small in size.Thanks for any feed back. This is my first bird. Reply

cole - 2012-01-31 I am thinking of getting a parakeet but I can't find any breeders near me. I might go to the pet store or what should I do? Click For Replies (1) Charlie Roche - 2012-01-31 I would continue to look for a breeder or in the newspaper. Unless you have a very special bird store in your area, I would never recommend you get a bird from a store chain. Reply

Debra Milhoan - 2012-01-26 i have a male and female parakeets i did see them mating other day they have been acting strange lately i have now notice the female has taken out all their out cup by taking her feet pushing out food . so now does this meaning she marking where she may hatch her eggs if she is going to have them she never done this before and male follows her every where .is there something i need to do ?? thank you Click For Replies (2) Charlie Roche - 2012-01-26 Yes, if you do not provide a nesting area they can be quite creative. Enjoy Rich - 2012-01-31 Go to the pet store and purchase a nest box and nesting supplies she may have kids on the way however I heard first round sometimes are infertile Reply

Liezl Velasco - 2012-01-30 I have one and died after we bought another one. And yesterday we bought another one and it looks like the first one got sick also. We keep everything clean everyday but looks like something is definitely wrong. I need to know what are the safe household staff to clean the cage, what bothers them a lot, common causes of illnesses and how do know if the poop is normal. thank you Click For Replies (1) Rich - 2012-01-31 If one of your birds already died I would consider not buying a bird from that pet store... I would go with one for a month clean the cage with soap and water shower will do well leaving out the bird while cleaning then if you have a slider tray at the bottom its easier to lay paper down to collect its droppings the poop should be hard not runny if you see that at the store avoid buyng them if you do purchase another one always keep in different cages close to one another then unite after a week or two also consider changing the pet food since cuase of death was unknown also wash all toys with soap and water and feed and water bowls and always make sure kids wash hands as well as adults after handling them parakeet seed works best and treats choclate candy will kill a bird Reply

Ruth HAlpin - 2012-01-04 I have a blue and white parakeet (male, he does have blue where the nostrils are). My husband bought him at a pet store for our 10 and 12 year old g-kids, and is kept at our house. The pet store owner told them that this bird was fairly young, like less than or about a year old. I have done some research to see if or how long it could take them to learn to talk. I have read that some people have worked with their parakeets and have had them learning small phrases such as 'pretty bird' 'hello' etc. We have had this bird (we call him Gizmo, or Gizzy) for approximately 3 months and he hasn't even begun to say anything yet. I work with him EVERY DAY too. He is never alone because I am in the kitchen with him ALL DAY. All he does is chirp a LOT (he does this by chirping at himself while in front of a plastic mirror LOL). My question is this...Is it possible that Gizmo is older that what we were told why he isn't trying to learn to say anything? He is well fed, well watered, and gets lots of attention. AND he does have some of the tiny or down feathers in his cage. He NEVER gets near the bottom of his cage, he always stays on one of his perches and will go in the opposite direction if you even act like you're going to try to touch the cage near where he is. He does seem to be a little nervous sometimes (you can see him shake or shiver as if cold). I can talk softly to him as if trying to calm a child, and he will look at me and act as if he's trying to fall asleep, almost hypnotic. So ANY comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated by you parakeet owners or vets. Click For Replies (7) Charlie Roche - 2012-01-04 Short story. There was a little boy and he was 5 years old and the little boy had never said one word. The parents were extremely concerned and had taken the child to various doctors. One day the mom talking to the father said 'I am just so concerned and upset, what happens if our boy is never able to speak?' The little boy looked up at his mother and said 'Dear mother, I can assure you if there is something on my mind, I shall articulate without difficulty' That is a bird. That was Einstein. Actions need to go with the speech 'KISS' 'HUG' 'HI BOY' 'TICKLE' 'PRAYER and NITE NITE' 'TREAT' 'NO' The bird (as a child) must associate an action with a word. Second option is just plain fun. They like a beat - a beat in music, whistling, just being silly. I do 'rat a tat tat man about town' in a rap fashion and my bird picked it up first shot. Rhythym. The idea is to get him to start with any speech. They are usually between one and two years of age. -- similar to a child. Ruth HAlpin - 2012-01-04 WOW! Thank you SO much for such a quick reply!! Well, I have learned something so far. And you are right with the child association. I will just have to keep trying with Gizmo then. My 12 year old g-son told me that the pet store owner told he and his g-pa that Gizmo was approximately 6 months old...still, under a year as I had previously stated. I think my g-kids were expecting a 'miracle' to get him to start talking so soon. I have read that some owners got their birds to speak within 4 weeks. And are able to hold them or the bird will perch on their finger. Gizmo will have NO part of that...yet. Any other comments or suggestions tho are still always appreciated! Thank you!! savannah - 2012-01-04 i had bought a blue parakeet in a pet shop and with some time and patience he will talk when he wants to, i got mine and a week later i started taking him out all the time, u just have to endure the bits and calm him down and take him out every day and eventually he will give.. i have had mine 5 months now and he still dont talk but he does not bite me and loves to come out of his cage... just keep trying there the easiest of the all birds to get to love u and love to b out of its cage.. Charlie Roche - 2012-01-04 Seems a little strange that a parakeet would be on someone finger upright at 4 weeks as their feathers just start coming in around 3 weeks. So maybe they were HOLDING the litttle fella. Many breeders let the bird parents feed and wean and fledge parakeets. The breeder will hand feed the baby sometimes just once and say it is a hand fed baby. It isn't. If your little fella is afraid of coming out of the cage and onto your hand - start feeding him outside his cage - especially treats. Slowly start feeding him cheerios or sunflower (shelled) with your hand and let him get used to your hand. Slowly (when he lets you, pet top of his head or side of his face. Talk softly to him. Me - I'd just would let him out of the cage, pick him up and hold him to my chest. For some reason they hear a human heart beat and it calms them. I'd just hold him and pet top of his head. Putting your hand in a bird cage is sorta like King Kon putting his paw in your bedroom while you are sleeping. Let Gizmo come out, feed him with your hand - even yogurt or baby applesauce etc with a spoon - scraps from dinner from your plate. Let him eat with you. He is a child - not the best table manners but such company. Ruth HAlpin - 2012-01-05 Thank for your kind comments folks. First of all, it would be kinda hard to feed Gizmo ANYTHING other than his bird food and water because he seems so skittish. I have tried placing/hanging different food items in his cage and he refuses to touch any of it. He treats it all like it's from outer space or something or doesn't trust it. Second, if he's so skittish if ANYTHING gets near him, how is he able to come out of his cage without freaking out? Maybe after another 3 months, he might realize that we're NOT gonna hurt him?? He knows his name too LOL! I can call out to him and his head looks up and he looks around. He really does LOVE his mirror too. He'll sit and chirp at himself for long periods. Do you think his skittishness may stem from his time at the pet store or something? With kids and adults poking at his cage? I'm just trying to be a good parakeet owner is all. Years ago, I used to have a pair of cockatiels (male Joey that WAS hand fed and Harley, female that we bought at a pet store). Joey was a sweety too. He LOVED attention, being held and played with, freedom to come in and out of his HUGE cage. Joey would even go back to his cage to go potty..smart bird! Harley on the other hand was a bi**h! LOL! She was ALWAYS skittish too, no matter how much love we tried to give her. I still miss Joey after 15 years. He was my cuddle baby. They too loved going about, getting showers with a spray bottle or going out and sit at the birdbath. Joey was funny too. He would come to the table when we ate to see what we were having and I always set something out just for them. They, or he, loved it. He liked to play cards with us too...LOL! And he had Andy Griffith down pat! He could whistle about 9 different tunes, but we only ever heard him speak ONCE in 5 years. So, I'm a little familiar with birds and am still hoping that Gizmo will do fine after a while. We shall see huh? Jessie - 2012-01-17 How can you tell if it is a boy or girl Terri Nation - 2012-01-27 I have 2 parakeets, one male and one female. They havent talked yet either. They do let me pet them but they are very timid and afraid most of the time if my hand is in the cage. I try and work with them everyday too. I have had them about 3 months also. I'm sure it just takes time. I have a friend who has parakeets also and hers let her hold them and they fly around her house all the time. I want that lol Reply

Charlie Melton - 2012-01-21 My daughter has 4 parakeets is a pretty big parrot cage. Suddenly, after about 6 months together, one of them has started plucking feathers from another's head. Because it's the top of the head I know she's not doing it herself, and the one who got caught doing it is a male. Could this be some sort of courtship thing? Why would he suddenly start plucking her? Click For Replies (6) Charlie Roche - 2012-01-23 It isn't a really part of courtship. When they actually breed, the male will frequently hold the female by the back of the neck or top of the head to insure correct position. Looks odd but happens. Sounds like your little guy is amorous and the little girl just is not in the mood yet. They also will over preeen 'each other' and feathers bare spots can occur. It's part of learning. If you see agression, hear agression you might want to separate them and let things cool down but spring is coming. Clarice Brough - 2012-01-22 Aggression between parakeets is common in a shared cage while breeding, especially if there is a gender imbalance i.e. 'too few males in the flock'. Your male may be in breeding mode and the female is not responsive. If it gets too serious, you may want to separate them for a while. Charlie Melton - 2012-01-24 There are 3 females (blue, white, and yellow) and only the 1 green male. We took him out because now the yellow bird has a totally bald top of her head. The blue one looks pregnant to me so I want to get one of those woven round nesting houses. The one that's bald now is the biggest bird; it's one of those British ones; so I thought maybe the male was threatened by her size. Should I put them all back together in the spring or not? I just don't want him to kill one of the birds. Charlie Roche - 2012-01-24 It sounds more like you have a alpha male (green fella) and you have a reluctant female (yellow) or possibly another male (yellow). In any case the yellow one doesn't want to do it. If you think the blue one is pregnant, get a couple of nesting boxes so she has her choice - and don't forget a nesting box for the the white female. No, I would not put the yellow female back in with the other three. It doesn't sound like typical 'I am overly amorous with my display of affection' - not as you are describing it. You are sure the yellow one is a female? If the 3 get along fine (the blue female, the white female and the green male) then that is a cohesive unit so just remove the yellow one. You don't need the yellow one retaliating against the other females or possibly the eggs. Just take the yellow one out and find an alternative mate for her (but be sure it is a her). Charlie Melton - 2012-01-24 I took the male out and left the yellow female in. I should put the male back in and take out the female? That just feels wrong, like punishing the victim. They're my daughters birds and she's looked at their ceres; I haven't. I'll have her look again and tell me which is which. The 3 females all came from pet stores and are tame to hold but the green male came from a friend who was afraid to get it out of its cage because it would fly all over the room, so he bites and when we open the cage to let them roam the room, he won't come out. I think maybe he's just antisocial since his mate died. Charlie Roche - 2012-01-24 Wow this is complicated. It is truly best to only have two birds in each cage. Parakeets will mate with more than one female but frequently there can be trouble (fights, broken eggs). If there are two males in one cage, one will be the leader or alpha and the other will either be picked on, hurt, or will assume a female role. So the first thing to do is really try and tell if you have 3 females and 1 male or you have 2 males and 2 females. The male (green)parakeet will feed the female (blue) parakeet that is sitting on eggs so she can incubate. Without the male feeding the female, she will probably get hungry or not sit the eggs. Usually, the first couple of clutches are infertile so no damage has been done. So let's try and make sure that you do not have a yellow male. If you have a yellow male, you can separate him and place him with the white female. If you have a yellow female, you still can place her with the white female as they will get along. Then you can place the blue female that you think is pregnant with the green male you believe to be the dad. There is no right wrong with however you choose to do this. It is just easier to have two birds per cage --- the two birds can be a male/female pair or two males or two females. You are not punishing the victim - you are allowing the two you believe mated to continue being a pair(the green male and the blue female). I would put the blue female with the green male as you believe they are the pair and have bred. I would put the white female with what you believe to be the yellow female and you say they get along and you can pet them both. Worse case, all 4 have a friend, and you have a breeding pair and a companion pair. How does that sound. It is fine if the yellow one is a male or a female - he just can't be by the green male who wants to protect his turf from or mate with the yellow one. I mean gee if you were in a home with an in love mating couple and all by yourself, you would prefer a friend. This way you are giving the white sorta leftover female a companion. Reply

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