Budgerigars, aka budgies are one of the most popular avian companions with their striking colour, bringing vibrancy and character. Whether they’re your first pet, first bird, or first budgie, you’ll fall in love with these playful, intelligent, and chatty birds.
Create the perfect home for your new budgie by following this guide to the food, type of cage and toys they need.
Table of contents:
- Before you bring a budgie home
- Budgie cage requirements
- Feeding budgies
- Grooming budgies
- Health care for budgies
- Transporting a budgie
- Budgie care FAQs
Considerations before you bring a budgie home
Bringing a budgie home is a serious commitment. Here are some key things to think about before you commit to getting a budgie as a pet:
- Do you have appropriate housing for your budgie?
- Can you provide a safe, bird-proof home environment for them?
- Can you provide daily supervised time outside of the cage for your budgie?
- Are you aware that birds can be vocal, and have you checked this is acceptable to your family and neighbours?
Setting up your budgie’s cage
What size cage do budgies need?
You will need to choose an adequately sized cage for your budgie depending on how much space you have available and the number of birds you want to put together.
Your budgie’s cage or aviary should give them room to spread their wings – they love to stretch out. Because of this, we recommend a rectangular cage. It should measure 31cm x 46cm x 46cm at minimum.
Do budgies need a cage cover?
Cage covers create a cosy spot for your budgie to sleep. Your budgie will feel safe and secure, and the cover will help them develop a sleep routine.
Where should you put a budgie cage?
Place the cage at or below eye level, away from excessive sunlight and away from anything that is quite aromatic, like those smells found in the kitchen. Birds have a very efficient respiratory system. They absorb anything in the air really well and easily suffer toxic side effects from things like aerosols, cigarette smoke, essential oils, etc.
What do you put on the bottom of a budgie’s cage?
Your pet will need paper or other bedding at the base of their cage. This will let you monitor the number, size, colour and consistency of the droppings.
Keep your budgie’s home spick and span with cage tidies that can be easily removed.
How frequently should you clean a budgie’s cage?
Budgies like to be clean so make sure to check for and clean out faeces or droppings in your cage weekly. You should also change the bedding at the base of the cage daily and clean perches with a good cleaning pad and bird-safe disinfectant regularly.
Do budgies need a water bath in their cage?
Budgies love the water and keeping themselves well groomed, so a bird bath is a great addition to their home. You can find plastic options that clip onto the side of the cage.
How many food and water bowls does a budgie need?
Depending on the height of your cage, we recommend having dishes at the top and bottom to ensure your budgie is able to access their food and water at all times.
Don’t place your budgie’s water bowl underneath their perch as they can contaminate it. They may like to bathe in water dishes, so it’s important to check that their water bowl is full and fresh often. Regularly wash their bowls to keep them clean.
What toys should budgies have in their cage?
Budgies are active and inquisitive birds, so they need a variety of toys to hold their attention and fend off boredom. Your budgie’s home should include lots of perches, swings, ladders, and interactive elements to stimulate their senses. Budgies also love mirrored surfaces and shreddable toys.
Don’t forget those active beaks need things that will keep them busy. Your budgie is likely to chew everything so make sure they have things in their cage that are suitable for chewing on.
Feeding your budgie
What do budgies eat?
Pellets make a good base diet for budgies, so make sure that you refresh the pellet bowl daily. Find a high-quality food specifically formulated for your budgie to give them their best start in life and keep them healthy.
Leafy greens provide essential vitamins and minerals and can be given to them every other day. You can also give them supplements that help with everything from your budgie’s beak and feather health to general wellbeing.
A piece of cuttlefish is great for their beak and will also boost their calcium levels. Shell grit can help your budgie’s digestion, so it’s good to have some in their cage.
What treats can budgies eat?
You can find all sorts of treats for your budgies, including millet sprays, at Petbarn. They also love fresh fruits.
Your budgie should have fruits only once a week and treats are best given only sparingly. Be sure that treats only make up 10 per cent of their diet.
How long should you leave fruit and veggies in a budgie’s cage?
If your budgie hasn’t eaten the fruit or vegetables in 24 hours, make sure you remove it and replace with fresh food.
What foods are toxic to budgies?
Never feed your budgie chocolate, lettuce, avocado, rhubarb, alcohol, fruit seeds or caffeine as they can make your pet very sick.
Grooming your budgie
Budgies will groom themselves regularly. If your budgie is in good health, you’ll notice them cleaning their feathers, scratching their beak on various surfaces around the cage and even having a bath.
Preventative health care for budgies
Budgie healthcare is all about prevention. They are prone to contracting parasites, like worms or lice, and can have respiratory issues and digestive problems. However, if they are individual pets, then there are fewer chances for them to get worms or lice.
To avoid any health issues, you need to check your pet bird for worms or lice and seek treatment if they have any parasites. Respiratory diseases can be avoided by feeding them right and keeping them in a clean area.
How to tell if your budgie is sick
It’s important to keep a close eye on your budgie’s health. A healthy budgie should have clean and smooth feathers, an alert and upright posture, clear and regular breathing and no discharge around their beak, eyes, or ears
Signs of illness in budgies include:
- Fluffed up feathers
- Closed eyes
- Lethargy
- Hunched posture
- Drooping tail or wings
- Discharge around the eyes, nose or beak
- Sneezing and coughing
- Diarrhoea
- Irregular breathing
If you notice any of these signs, or anything else peculiar about your budgie’s appearance or behaviour, refer to your local Greencross Vets for treatment and advice.
How to treat your budgie for worms
Just like cats and dogs, budgies need to be wormed. Talk to your local Greencross Vets about the best one for your pet, but using a syrup that’s added to their water supply works well for most budgies.
How to treat your budgie for mites or lice
Your budgie may contract mites or lice, so your best bet is to have a treatment powder ready. Talk to your local Greencross Vets to find out more and get the best treatment for your pet.
Travelling with your budgie
The best way to transport your budgie is in a small covered cage, pet carrier or even a small box. The size should not be stifling, but just big enough for your pet to be comfortable.
Leave any sharp objects or unsecure items at home to prevent your budgie being injured. One or two securely fixed bars is enough for them to enjoy the ride.
Secure the cage with a safety belt. For long journeys, you may need to shield the cage from direct sunlight and make water stops to keep your pet hydrated and comfortable.
Frequently asked questions about budgies and budgie care
How long do budgies live?
Budgies have a life span of up to 10 years.
How big do budgies get?
Budgies grow up to 18 cm tall.
Can budgies live on their own?
If you’re a first-time budgie parent, you may only want to start with one new bird. Though, budgies are highly social and will show a great response if they have a partner. If budgies fly solo for long periods of time, they can become lonely and depressed. Having a companion will keep them happy – and a happy bird means a healthy bird.
Is it okay to let budgies out of their cage?
It’s okay to let your budgie out of their cage every now and then. It may be appropriate to clip their wings if your bird hasn’t been tamed so they don’t get hurt flying into windows or furniture.
Keep an eye on your budgie while they’re out of their cage. Move any possible hazards out of the way and monitor them carefully.
With the right care, budgies are interactive and engaging pets that your family will love for years. Visit your local Petbarn store to find a great range of products and get advice on budgie care.