Budgies are very popular pets. They come in various vibrant colors and tend to be very friendly and talkative birds.
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Here are eight facts you should know before getting a budgie, according to the PetMD website:
1. Budgies can “talk”
Budgies can develop amazing vocabularies. Depending on each bird and the amount of training they receive, budgies are capable of learning dozens of words in different languages.
2. Budgie diet
Budgies need a varied diet, but most avian veterinarians recommend that formulated bird pellets represent about 70% of the diet. The rest of the budgie’s diet should also include:
– Fresh or frozen vegetables
– Fresh or frozen fruits and grains
– Small amounts of other protein sources such as boiled egg or meat (served only as a treat. Remember to consult your veterinarian about the best protein sources for your pet).
Seeds should be provided only as an occasional treat. Although seeds may be the favorite food among budgies, an exclusive seed diet is not recommended as they are deficient in almost all vital nutrients.
3. Budgies are excellent companions
Budgies are intelligent and tend to form close relationships with their owners if treated consistently. It is important to go slowly at first to build a trust-based relationship. Once a budgie accepts you, it will love spending time with you.
4. Budgies also like toys
Budgies generally enjoy a wide variety of bird toys, including:
– Shredding toys (made of paper for your budgie to destroy)
– Foot toys (to promote foot dexterity)
– Swings
– Noise makers
– Food foraging toys
5. Budgies like to be warm
Generally, budgies are found in warm regions around the world. These birds prefer temperatures between 21°C and 26°C. If your home is particularly cold, the use of a ceramic heat lamp is recommended.
Budgies will also benefit from supervised moments under natural sunlight (in a cage for their protection) whenever possible. UV light is crucial to enable birds to produce vitamin D on the skin, which helps them absorb calcium from food.
6. Budgies love to fly
Whether or not your budgie is allowed to fly freely in your home depends on your lifestyle. Although it is nice to allow your pet bird to fly as it does in nature, owners should ensure that their home is safe for flying.
Be mindful of dangers to a budgie, including:
– Other pets in the house
– Windows
– Mirrors
– Ceiling fans
– Open doors
7. Budgies need regular veterinary care
Regular veterinary check-ups with an experienced avian veterinarian are vital. Budgies can face a variety of medical issues, including:
– Traumatic injuries to limbs or beaks due to fights with other animals
– Obesity
– Liver disease
– Gastrointestinal parasites
– Other infections
Birds typically mask signs of illness for as long as possible, so an annual or semi-annual veterinary exam is important to help detect problems early. Consider annual blood tests and fecal analyses to screen for underlying health issues.
8. “Bathing” for budgies
Budgies should be able to “bathe” with water daily (or at least twice a week) for optimal feather and skin health.
Owners can help their budgies bathe by providing them with a small water dish and using a clean spray bottle to mist them with warm water.
This content was created with the assistance of AI.
