Budgies as pets—needs and character How to keep budgies properly
Budgerigars are popular pets. However, many people keep them incorrectly because they don't know their needs. If you want to give them a species-appropriate life, you need to find out about the species beforehand.
Budgerigars are playful, curious and lively. This is why they are popular pet birds. However, many live in cages that are too small. They are often given the wrong food or are still kept individually. But they are social and demanding animals. They need plenty of space, conspecifics and activity. They can live up to 15 years. Keeping budgies means taking on long-term responsibility. Make sure you are well informed before you take in budgies. We will show you how to provide your birds with a nice home.
Never hold alone
In the wild, budgerigars live in flocks. These are often several thousand animals. Budgerigars can only live out their social behavior with conspecifics. They preen each other's feathers. They feed each other. They play together. We recommend at least one pair. A group of four or more birds is better.
Keeping these sociable animals alone is contrary to animal welfare. A bird kept alone suffers and can develop serious behavioral problems.
These birds go well together
Budgerigars usually form strong bonds in a flock. Do not separate pairs when moving to a new home. Ensure a balanced ratio of males and females. Two males usually get along well - even without females. Age is rather unimportant. It is more important that the birds get along well. Bring new birds together slowly. Put them in separate cages next to each other first. Are they calm? Do they show interest in each other? Then you can carefully put them together on a trial basis. Do this under supervision. Preferably in a neutral place such as a climbing tree. Budgerigars should only live with conspecifics. Other bird species do not suit them. They live and communicate differently.
Mutual plumage care is an important social behavior in budgerigars.
Budgies need a lot of space
Budgerigars must be able to fly.Standard cages from pet shops are too small. A large aviary with daylight and quiet retreats is better. It should be at least two meters long, one meter wide and two meters high for two to six birds. Do you want to keep more than six birds? Then expand the base area of the aviary by half for each additional pair of birds - first in length, then in width. Also create more retreats, perches, feeding and watering places. This will prevent fights over resources. In addition, you should let your birds fly freely every day in a secure room. Can't offer free flight? Then your aviary needs to be larger - at least four square meters of floor space and two meters high.
Suitable aviaries
Good for keeping indoors. Choose a bright, quiet place without draughts. Do not place in the kitchen or next to radiators. The aviary should be slightly elevated and only visible from one side. A room temperature of 18 to 20 degrees is ideal.
Better than a normal indoor aviary. Here the birds can use a whole room. A secure outdoor area is even better. There they can enjoy the sun and fresh air.
The birds can move around in a natural environment. Fresh air and sunlight are good for them. The aviary should be at least two meters long, one meter wide and two meters high. You can also keep your birds outside all year round. Then they need a frost-free shelter. This should be at least one meter long, half a meter wide and one meter high.
How to set up an aviary for budgies
The aviary should be structured andclearly laid out . Your birds need space to fly and hide. The bars must be horizontal.Then the birds can climb easily. Bright bars are bad. They dazzle the birds. Dark, matt colors such as dark green, grey or black are better. Plastic perches are not suitable. The birds nibble on them. This is not healthy.The basic equipment includes:
Natural branches with different diameters - good for the feet
No sandpaper or plastic sticks - injure the feet
One feeding and watering place per bird
Bathing facilities, for example a bath house or a sand bowl
Paper as a floor covering - less dusty than sand
Daylight - add UV lamps if kept indoors only
No plastic toys, but natural materials such as willow wreaths or twigs
Let your budgies fly freely every day. Several hours is good. Make sure that the birds do not injure themselves. Remove poisonous plants and containers in which a bird could drown. Clear away cigarette butts, alcohol residues, lighted candles and sharp objects. Secure windows with fly screens. Mark glass panes visibly. Keep drawers and cupboard doors closed. Close or widen narrow gaps between furniture and walls. This will prevent the animals from getting trapped. Remove high-pile carpets and net curtains in which birds could get caught.
A calm and empathetic approach is important
Budgies are not cuddly animals. Respect their restraint. Offer them peace and distance. Trust can grow, but slowly. This is normal. Offer food from your hand and wait. Never grab a bird. This frightens it. You may only hold a bird in an emergency - for example, for an examination. If you have to catch a bird, darken the room slightly. Pick it up carefully with a soft cloth. Cover its eyes, but leave the nostrils uncovered and do not apply pressure to the breastbone.
59%
of all ornamentalöbirds in Germany are budgerigars
10–15
They can live for years if kept well
4
square meters of space they need at least
80%
of the day, they search for food in nature
Feeding correctly: less is more
In the wild, budgerigars forage for a long time and move around a lot. In private homes, the animals move around less. Food is usually freely available. Obesity is a major problem. Healthy food consists of
fresh herbs, grasses and vegetables every day
fresh water daily
one to two teaspoons of high-quality grain food per bird daily
bird grit for digestion
cuttlebone or limestone as a source of calcium
Fruit only in very small quantities
Remove leftover food daily. Only offer fresh, unsprayed food. Moldy or spoiled leftovers are life-threatening. Tip: Always offer food as an activity - for example in a mesh ball or between branches.
How to recognize sick budgies
Observe your birds daily. Pay attention to posture, behavior, plumage, appearance of body openings, food and water intake, droppings and urine. A healthy bird is active. Its plumage is smooth. The eyes are clear. Does a bird appear tired, unusually quiet, fluffed up, breathing heavily or have diarrhea? Then it may be ill. Check your bird's claws and beaks regularly. If there are any abnormalities, go to an avian veterinary practice.
You should pay attention to this when purchasing
Some bred budgerigars look particularly beautiful. However, they suffer from their characteristics. Show budgerigars belong to the torture breeding category. These are significantly larger and heavier than conventional budgies. They are susceptible to diseases and usually do not grow old. Their eyes have to be clipped regularly because the birds cannot see anything due to their long plumage. Crested budgerigars are also torture breeders. They often suffer from fluid accumulation in the brain or brain hemorrhages. Their feathers, and sometimes their beaks or claws, often grow incessantly. Please do not buy such birds.
Always ask at the animal shelter first. There are often birds there that are looking for a new home. Budgies are handed in because their owners are overwhelmed or their circumstances change. The staff will advise you and help you make the right choice. We advise against online purchases. They often lack the necessary advice and you can't see how they are kept. When finding a new home, make sure that the animals are kept in groups and are well prepared for their new home.
Inform yourself well before adopting birds.
Adopt animals from an animal shelter.
Keep at least two budgies.
Provide activity, healthy food and daily free flight.
Do not buy torture breeding.
This is what the German Animal Welfare Federation demands
Prohibit individual rearing
Prohibit torture breeding such as show or crested forms
Establish minimum requirements for the keeping of ornamental birds
Stop the sale of animals via online exchanges
Introduce a mandatory theoretical certificate of competence before acquiring an animal
Dr. Henriette Mackensen is a veterinarian and deputy director of the Academy for Animal Welfare of the German Animal Welfare Federation. Her areas of expertise include small pets, reptiles and fur animals.
Dr. Romy Zeller is a veterinarian and specialist for pets at the German Animal Welfare Federation. At our Academy for Animal Welfare, she has been working for years on the topic of illegal pet trade and online trade with animals.
Sandy Syperek is an editor at the German Animal Welfare Federation. She studied German and sociology. Her writing raises awareness of the needs and suffering of animals and gives them a voice. She wants to raise people's awareness of the fact that all animals long for a peaceful life.
