Budgerigar
Also known as Budgie, Common parakeet, Shell parakeet
- Adult size
- 18–20 cm long (show types larger), about 30–40 g
- Lifespan
- 5–10 years
- Origin
- Australia
- Company
- Flock bird; keep at least two and give daily time out of the cage
- Chatty
- Curious
- Playful
- Sociable
About the Budgerigar
The budgerigar is a small, nomadic parrot from the dry interior of Australia, where wild birds travel in large flocks in search of seed and water. Wild budgies are green and yellow, but generations of captive breeding have produced blues, whites, violets, pieds and many other colour varieties.
Budgies are often seen as an easy starter pet, but they are true parrots with busy minds. They need company of their own kind, a roomy flight cage, a varied diet and daily time out to fly safely.
Show-type or 'English' budgies are noticeably larger and fluffier than the slimmer pet-shop type, and tend to have shorter lifespans and more health problems.
Temperament
Budgies are cheerful, chattering birds that spend much of the day calling, preening and squabbling gently with flockmates. Hand-tame birds can become very confiding and will step up and sit on a shoulder. Some, particularly males, learn to mimic words and household sounds in a quick, buzzy voice. A budgie kept alone tends to become bored and over-attached to its mirror or owner, so a companion is strongly recommended.
Cage & housing
Choose a cage that is wider than it is tall, as budgies fly horizontally; for a pair, aim for at least around 80 cm long, and bigger is always better. Bar spacing should be narrow, about 1–1.2 cm, so a head cannot get stuck. Offer natural wooden perches of different thicknesses rather than only smooth dowels, and keep the cage away from draughts, direct heat and the kitchen. Plan for at least an hour or two of supervised flying in a bird-safe room each day.
Diet
A seed-only diet is a common cause of obesity, fatty liver and vitamin A deficiency in budgies. A good base is a quality pellet or a mix of pellets and a smaller amount of seed, plus fresh vegetables and leafy greens every day. Sprouted seed and millet sprays make good treats in moderation. Avocado, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol and salty or sugary human food are dangerous.
Company & enrichment
Swings, ladders, bells, shreddable paper toys and foraging cups keep budgies occupied, and rotating toys every week or so stops them losing interest. Short daily training sessions using millet as a reward can teach step-up, target training and recall. Free flight is their main exercise, so clipped birds need extra climbing and play opportunities. Talk to your budgie often; they respond well to routine and voices.
Nails, beak & bathing
Offer a shallow dish of water or a gentle mist spray a few times a week, as most budgies enjoy bathing. Nails and beak usually wear down with varied perches and chew toys; if they become overgrown, ask an avian vet to trim them. Clean food and water dishes daily and the cage floor at least weekly.
Health
Budgies are prone to tumours, particularly of the kidneys and reproductive organs, which may first show as lameness in one leg or a change in cere colour. Obesity and fatty liver are common in seed-fed birds, and scaly face mites can cause crusty growths around the beak and legs. Hens can become egg-bound. Because birds hide illness, a fluffed-up budgie sitting quietly on the cage floor needs an avian vet the same day.
Prone to
- Tumours (kidney, gonads, fatty lumps)
- Obesity and fatty liver
- Scaly face and leg mites
- Egg binding
- Psittacosis
- Goitre on iodine-poor diets
Call a vet if you notice
- Fluffed up, sleepy or sitting on the cage floorEmergency
- Tail bobbing or open-mouth breathingEmergency
- Hen straining without passing an eggEmergency
- Lameness or weakness in one leg
- Crusty growths on the beak, cere or legs
- Change in droppings lasting more than a day
A vet with experience of exotic pets is best placed to help. Find one before you need them.
Common questions
Should budgies be kept in pairs?
Yes, in most cases. Budgies are flock birds and a same-species companion gives them constant company that even a devoted owner cannot. A pair can still become tame if you spend time with them daily.
How can I tell if my budgie is male or female?
In adult birds, the cere (the fleshy area above the beak) is usually blue or purple in males and brown, beige or whitish in females. Young birds and some colour varieties are harder to tell, and a change in cere colour in an adult male can be a sign of illness that needs a vet.
Can budgies talk?
Many can, especially males hand-raised and spoken to regularly. Their voices are small and fast, and some never talk at all, so it is best to enjoy their chatter rather than expect speech.
How long do budgies live?
With good diet and care, many budgies live into their late single figures and some reach their teens. Larger show-type birds often have shorter lives.
Written by the Petopedia editorial team to our editorial standards. General guidance, not veterinary advice.