Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 4: Setting up a budgerigar cage
• Part 2 of 4: Taking good care of budgies
• Part 3 of 4: Adapting Acquired Parrots
• Part 4 of 4: Enriching Budgerigars
• Tips
• Warnings

Budgerigars are adorable birds that make great pets. In fact, they are the third most popular after dogs and cats. These Australian birds are fairly inexpensive to keep, but they will create a fun environment in your home and may even try to imitate some of your words over time. If you have just brought home your first budgie, then you should provide him with everything he needs to keep him healthy and happy.

Steps

Part 1 of 4: Setting up a budgerigar cage

1. 1 Buy a large cage. Birds need space to play and warm up their wings. If you are concerned about their welfare, try to find a cage model that allows birds to fly from place to place. The cage must be at least 50 cm (D) x 60 cm (H) x 80 cm (W).
   • Try to buy a cage that is longer in width than in height and has a flat roof. Budgerigars fly horizontally, not vertically like quails. Cages with bulky roofs are simply a waste of space and money.
   • Do not buy a round cage - in it the budgerigar will not be able to spread its wings and, accordingly, fly properly. In addition, in such a cage, the bird will not feel safe, since there are no corners in which the parrot could hide.
   • Your budgie should be able to spread its wings and fly. Do not overload the cage with toys, perches, and birds.
   • Look at several cage models and see which one is easiest for you to clean.Can you easily stick your hand into the cage? Can you clean the inside of it? Remember that budgies go to the toilet approximately every 10-15 minutes!
   • You can use the same size cage for two parrots. But if you have more of them, then try to buy a larger cage model.
2. 2 Place a bathing suit in the cage. Budgerigars can litter a lot, but they themselves like to stay clean. They may even try diving for fun. Look at the pet store for a sturdy miniature bathing suit that you can hang from your cage wall. It should be accessible to parrots and easily filled with water outside the cage.
   • Do not fill the bath too much. Parrots should not splash water on the bottom of the cage every time they visit the swim.
   • The swimsuit should be about the size of the bird so that it can submerge in the water.
   • Look at the pet store for a sturdy miniature bathing suit that you can hang from your cage wall. It should be accessible to parrots and easily filled with water outside the cage.
3. 3 Add several perches of various thicknesses, shapes and textures to the cage. Natural twig perches are great, especially when compared to plastic or treated wood perches. They look much better. Make sure the perches are securely fastened to avoid possible injury.
   • There is a wide variety of toys. Note the stairs, bells, balls, and so on. They will serve as a source of entertainment for your parrot.
   • Make sure the wood of the perch is bird-safe (not eucalyptus, for example). Treated wood and plastic perches can cause leg problems in birds due to the lack of surface variety for the physical work of the bird's feet.
   • Avoid rosette perches as they may contain carcinogenic glycosides. Also, avoid oak perches as they contain tannins. Despite the fact that there is no confirmed evidence of bird death from their use, it is always better to play it safe.
   • Try to avoid using concrete perches as they are too stiff for bird paws. If you have no other choice, then place such perches in the lowest position.
   • Don't buy too many toys. Two or three toys will be enough, otherwise the parrot will be too littered and unable to disassemble all of its toys. Every parrot should have a mental toy.
4. 4 Think of a room to house the cage. Try to keep the birds in a warm room without fluctuating temperatures. A well-lit room will provide the birds with additional stimulation and a joyful life. In addition, the room should not be located far from the activity of the household, otherwise the bird will be lonely and will never get used to people.
   • Do not place the cage near a sunny window or near a constantly opening door. Cold drafts and overheating in the sun can kill your birds.

Part 2 of 4: Taking good care of budgies

1. 1 Feed your budgerigar properly. A good budgerigar's diet consists mostly of seeds, fruits, and vegetables. Try to include pellets in your budgie's diet as well, as a grain-only diet can lead to obesity.
   • Never give your budgerigar chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, or fast food. They are toxic to poultry.
   • Make sure your parrot has enough water in the drinker. The bird itself knows how much it should drink. Change the water daily to keep bacteria out of the water.
   • Add cuttlefish cartilage to the cage. It is a good natural source of calcium for budgies. Mineral blocks can be used instead. Some people use liquid vitamin and mineral supplements, but vitamins are usually best obtained from fresh fruits and vegetables.
2. 2 Clean the budgerigar cage at least once a week. This will protect the bird from diseases and worms. Wash the cage with extremely gentle dish soap and do not use cleaning products unless you are 100% sure they are safe for birds.
   • Try spraying the bird with water from a fine spray bottle to keep the bird cool.
3. 3 Provide a good night's sleep. When it's time to sleep, simply throw a light towel or blanket over the cage. Make sure there is adequate ventilation in the cage so that your bird does not suffocate.
   • It is also useful if you need to calm down a noisy bird. A blanket will muffle most of the sounds.
   • If your budgie is afraid of the dark, turn on a night light for it. Don't let the bird panic. She can start to rush around the cage and get hurt.
4. 4 Do not forget to monitor your parrot's health. Take your budgie to your birdwatching veterinarian at least once a year to check its health. If your bird starts to behave strangely, or you notice unusual symptoms, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.
   • Look for abnormal breathing, discharge from the eyes or nose, mucus on feathers, strange behavior, or weight loss. If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Part 3 of 4: Adapting Acquired Parrots

1. 1 Provide your parrot with comfort when you arrive at your new home. Give him time to get used to the new environment, it will take at least 3-4 days. Never rush a parrot. He himself will be able to adapt.
   • Stay close to the cage. Talk quietly and affectionately with the parrot while it is adapting, but do not try to pick it up. He will be able to get used to you in a few days or weeks.
   • If you have other parrots, quarantine the new bird for four weeks. When you are sure that the new bird is healthy, move its cage with the cage of the rest of the birds, without adding them to them. The new parrot will gradually get to know its new friends.
   • Avoid loud noises and loud screams. Because of them, in a new environment, the parrot may begin to stress.
   • Give your parrot a name. Say it often, especially while feeding, so that they get used to their nickname.
2. 2 Gradually introduce the parrot to other inhabitants of the house. The parrot can be overwhelmed if many people crowd around it. Introduce your family members to him one at a time and ask him to call the parrot by name. So that your household members can gain the trust of the parrot, ask them to feed him.
   • Be careful if you have other pets, especially cats. Cats are carnivores and may find your parrot to be the right food for them. Keep the cat in a different room to avoid stressing the parrot. Dogs can also get aroused at the sight of a parrot. Their barking can scare the bird.
   • Make sure your kids treat the bird with respect. Young children may be overjoyed when they have a new pet. Be sure to keep an eye on them when they admire the bird. Don't let them hit the cage and try to pick up the parrot.
3. 3 Find ways to gain the parrot's trust. After a few days, stick your hand into the parrot's cage. Do not move your hand for a while. Repeat the process for a few days to get the budgerigar accustomed to you.
   • When the budgie begins to feel comfortable with your hand, stick your finger into the cage. Press it lightly against the budgie's chest. This will prompt him to climb on his finger. Do this for a few days.
   • Finger feed your parrot. Dip your finger in water and sprinkle it with millet grains. The water will allow them to stick to your finger.Bring your finger to the parrot's beak and it will start eating grains from it if it gets used to you well enough.
   • After repeating the above step several times, try to gently pick up the parrot. Do this for a short while at first, and then start lengthening the time.
4. 4 Do not handle your parrot too often during the first 2-3 weeks. As he gets used to the new environment, gradually begin to communicate with him more and more, and, in the end, he will understand that you are his friend, not a predator.
   • If you try to rush things, the parrot will most likely become nervous and afraid. This will prevent you from developing a strong relationship with him.
5. 5 Always treat your parrot with love and kindness. Remember that, in comparison with the strength of a person, this bird is fragile and requires careful handling.
   • Always explain to inexperienced birdspeople how to handle and play with your small, fragile parrot.

Part 4 of 4: Enriching Budgerigars

1. 1 Weigh the pros and cons of using a mirror. Placing a mirror in the cage will provide the parrot with hours of entertainment. Parrots love to look at themselves and talk to their reflection, however, keep in mind that this is not always the case and there is a chance that the bird will perceive its reflection as a rival.
   • Consider purchasing a second bird instead of using a mirror. Budgerigars love company, and your pet will probably be happy with a new friend.
   • The use of a mirror is almost always the case with males and often with females, causing goiter infections, as parrots vomit to feed their mates. The mirror (and the feeding of its reflection) does not provide the necessary stimulation that occurs when communicating with a real bird.
   • If you choose to install a mirror, make sure it is securely attached to the cage and does not pose a risk to your bird.
2. 2 Talk and play with your budgerigar regularly. Your bird will enjoy communication and play and can become very talkative. Move your finger in front of the parrot - if he moves his head in the same direction, then he likes to play and he is very active.
3. 3 Let the parrot fly around the room. Once the bird has become accustomed to its surroundings, it will be possible to start letting it fly around the room, in which all windows and doors will be closed. To put the parrot back in its cage, turn off the lights and move the dark night curtain out of one of the windows, but remember to keep the day curtain closed. The light will draw the parrot to the window. Take it carefully from the curtain and transplant it into the cage.
   • Keep your bird safe. Keep the cat away and protect any possible loopholes through which the bird can fly away from you.
   • Keep it clean. The parrot can shit on the floor of the room, so don't let it fly around in a carpeted room.

Tips

• Develop a routine care plan for your parrot so that both he and you can feel comfortable.
• Wear gloves if you are worried that your parrot might bite you.
• You need to be patient with a parrot. When upset, do not show it, otherwise it will negatively affect the mood of the bird.
• When you bring your parrot home, do not talk to it until you put it in the cage, otherwise your voice will stress the bird.
• Never hold a budgerigar by the chest - unlike humans, they have a weak chest and no diaphragm. Otherwise, you could accidentally strangle the bird. When picking up your parrot, fold your arms into a cup and gently cover the bird.
• Bend your finger before picking up the parrot to show the bird that you are not a danger and to help the parrot feel relaxed.
• If you do not have the opportunity to talk often with a parrot, record your voice on a recorder and ask someone from the household to play it when you are not around.
• Read stories to the parrot and sing songs to him. Soon he will begin to sing. Among other things, you can talk about how your days go. All of this will create a special bond between you.

Warnings

• Do not trim the wings and claws of the budgerigar. This should only be done by an experienced avian veterinarian.
• If frightened or as a warning, the parrot may try to bite you, so try to remain calm when handling it. Do not be afraid of budgie bites, as they rarely bite a person's skin until it bleeds. Try to speak to the bird in a gentle and calm voice. Never jerk your hand back sharply if you are bitten, but just tap the parrot's beak a little or blow on it. At the same time, one should not demonstrate excessive reactions, otherwise the parrot will think that this is such a game.
• If you buy only female budgies and put them in the same cage, chances are they will fight a lot. Buy both females and males to reduce this likelihood.