When you’re looking for a small bird as a pet, parakeets or budgies are generally recommended. The truth is that a budgie is a parakeet! It can be quite confusing, but only in the U.S. is a budgie called a parakeet. The budgie originates from Australia and has the scientific name Melopsittacus undulatus, which refers to the family of budgies and parakeets. For this reason, they’re considered the same bird. This care guide looks at why a pretty parakeet and a bright budgie are the same species.
Why Budgies and Parakeets Are Often Confused
The budgie is indeed a parakeet, but why are there so many names for one animal? In the U.S., the name budgerigar was considered too long and difficult to pronounce, so budgies were called parakeets instead. The word “parakeet” is derived from the French word “perroquet,” which means parrot, and parakeets are in fact small parrots.
Today, you’ll find budgies and parakeets used interchangeably, but they ultimately refer to the same bird. In the United States, budgies are called “pet parakeets” or “American parakeets” despite their Australian origin!
How to Prepare for a Pet Parakeet
Once you’ve decided that a pet parakeet is the bird for you, you’ll need to prepare the right type of avian enclosure for their arrival. Despite the budgie’s small size, it needs space to fly and move about its cage. A single adult budgie needs a minimum cage size of 18x18x30 inches. Be sure to consider the spaces between the cage bars, as budgies can squeeze through large gaps and get their heads stuck. The ideal gap size is ½ an inch.
If your budgie spends most of its time enclosed, you should invest in a larger cage with horizontal space for flying. Include a small bowl for water and invest in perches at different heights, allowing your parakeet to easily move around. Place the cage in a well-lit and well-ventilated area without drafts to prevent your little budgie from getting too cold. You can expose your pet bird to some natural sunlight, but they should have the option of moving into the shade. Taking these measures will help you give your budgie the best possible start.
Budgies Need a Varied Yet Balanced Diet
Once you’ve got your pet parakeet’s enclosure, you must prepare their feed. Budgies need variety in their meals, which means combining seeds with fresh fruit and vegetables. Some bird keepers place parakeets on a seed-based diet, but it must contain different grass-based seeds and grains to provide optimum nutrition. A pellet diet is easiest because it ensures parakeets receive the right balance of vitamins and minerals. If you choose a seed diet, it must contain a mixture of barley, millet, oats, and rye.
When caring for pet birds, fruits and vegetables should make up to 25% of a budgie’s diet. Fruits you can offer a budgie include plums, blueberries, grapes, papaya, strawberries, and apple slices. Vegetables should consist of pumpkin, asparagus, carrots, potatoes, spinach, and broccoli. Always wash fruits and vegetables in clean water and remove hard skin before giving them to your tiny parrot.
How to Handle a Parakeet
Budgies are friendly little birds that love to spend time with their keepers when they’re tame and socialized. To avoid shy and fearful birds, always source your parakeet from a reputable bird breeder who specializes in hand-rearing and socialization. Exercise caution when getting a budgie from a pet store, as some obtain stock from mass producers with little compassion for the animals.
For the first day or two after their arrival, simply spend time close to the cage and talk to them. Don’t make any sudden movements when changing their food and water, as it may frighten them. Once they’ve settled in their new environment, place your hands inside the cage and allow them to walk onto your hands if they want to. Gradually retrieve them from their cage or gently stroke them on their head and neck until they’re accustomed to touch and handling. This way, you prevent fear and earn their trust. Eventually, your budgie will start talking to you and enjoy being handled.
What to Avoid With Your Pet Parakeet
Building a relationship with your new budgie is a fun and exciting experience, but it does take time. While you may want to handle them frequently, always determine whether your bird appears stressed, and ease up on handling when they’re uncomfortable. Do not clip their wings to train them because it prevents them from flying about their cage, which simply leads to stress.
Do not feed seeds alone because they lack the essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber that budgies get from fruit and vegetables. Another factor to consider is providing grit. Parakeets don’t require grit because they break the husk of seeds they consume for digestion. If you give them grit, they may consume far too much, resulting in a blockage. While birds such as pigeons and chickens need grit, avoid this with a pet budgie.
Remember, the names budgie and parakeet refer to the same type of bird. Parakeet is predominantly used in the U.S., while other parts of the world refer to these little pet birds as budgies. Either way, these tiny parrots can provide up to 10 years of joy with the right enclosure, food, and social time.
