EXPLORING THE FASCINATING WORLD OF BUDGERIGARS
Owning a pet bird can introduce a unique and enjoyable element to the daily routine. Pet birds are cherished for their cleverness, attractiveness, and capacity to establish deep connections with their human counterparts. In contrast to conventional pets like dogs or cats, birds offer a distinctively enriching experience, enhancing your existence in numerous ways, from their enchanting vocalizations to their playful behaviors, birds possess a talent for brightening even the gloomiest of days.
One of the most intriguing aspects of having a pet bird is the vast array of species to choose from. Ranging from the vibrant parrots of tropical regions to the melodious canaries of Europe, there exist a bird species to cater to every preference and lifestyle.
Some birds species often kept as pets are Budgerigar, Cockatiel, Lovebird, Parakeet, African Grey Parrot, Amazon Parrot, Cockatoo, Conure, Canary, Finch. These are just few examples, but there are many more species of pet birds available, each with is own unique characteristics and care requirements.
BUDGERIGAR
The budgerigar also known as the common parakeet,shell parakeet, or budgie.
Class – Aves
Order – Psittaciformes
Family – Psittacidae
Scientific name – Melopsittacus undulatus
All budgerigars belong to the same species, Melopsittacus undulatus.
There are two main types distinguished by their size and physical traits; the traditional Australian budgerigar and the larger English budgerigar, which was selectively bred in England for exhibition and as pets.
The average lifespan of budgie is 5-8 years.
Appearance
Budgerigars also known as budgies, are small parrots that measure approximately 18 cm in length and weigh between 23 – 32 grams. It is interesting to note that wild budgerigars are smaller in size compared to those kept in captivity.
In their natural habitat, wild budgerigars exhibit a green body color on their abdomen and rumps, while their back and wing coverts are black with yellow edges. Adult budgerigars have a yellow forehead and face, while young budgerigars have a barred black and pattern on their forehead and face until they molt in to their adult plumage at around three to four months of age. These charming birds also have small dark purple on each cheek and three black spots on each side of their throats. Their tail feathers are cobalt or dark blue, with central yellow flashes. Budgerigars have olive gray bills and blueish-gray legs. Similar to other parrots, budgerigars have zygodactyl toes, meaning they have two toes at the front of each foot and two at the back. Overall, budgerigars are fascinating creatures with their vibrant colors and unique physical features.
Personality & Behavior
Budgies are popular pets for many households due to their sociable nature and intelligence. They convey their message and express their mood with certain parts of the body. They may held their wings straight to show aggression or flap to show excitement. Bobbing their head could imply high spirits, while ducking could mean its defensive. Twitching the tail could imply happiness or interest, while fanning could imply anger. Budgies puff up their feathers when aggressive or smooth them down when calm.
It is important to note that budgerigars thrive in social environments and should ideally be housed with another budgerigar. However, even when placing two budgies together, caution must be exercised as they can potentially harm each other if they do not get along. Despite this, budgerigars are relatively easy to tame and can form strong bonds with their owners.
Budgerigars are vocal learners, meaning they need exposure to vocals in order to learn and imitate different sounds. Overall, budgerigars are colorful and sociable birds that can bring joy and companionship to their owners. However, one downside of owning budgerigars is their tendency to be messy, requiring regular cleaning of their cages.
Sexing
Sexing budgerigars can be challenging, especially in young birds or those with non-standard color mutations. Here are some general methods used to determine the sex of budgerigars.
- Cere color : In adult budgie, their cere color can indicate their sex. In males, the cere is usually blue or purplish -blue, while in females, its typically brown, beige, or white (especially during breeding season).
- Pelvic bones : This method requires gently feeling the area above the vent. In mature birds, males usually have a narrower space between the pelvic bones, while females have a wider space, which is due to the females need for space to lay eggs.
- Mature feathers : In some color mutations, mature males may have brighter or more vivid colors compared to females, but this can vary widely depending on the mutation.
It’s important to note that none of these methods are 100% accurate, especially in young or non-standard colored budgies. If you need a definite answer for breeding or other purposes, a DNA test (either via blood sample or feathers) is the most reliable method.
Feeding
Seeds play a significant role in budgies diet as they are a nutritious source of food. However, due to their high fat content and lack of essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and protein, seeds should only make up a portion of the budgies overall diet. It is important to note that seeds should never be the sole diet for a budgie.
An ideal alternative to seeds is a pelleted food, which offers a nutritionally balanced option for birds. Specifically formulated for small birds like budgies, pelleted food provides the necessary nutrients to meet most of their dietary needs. There are various commercial brands of pellets available in different shapes, sizes, and colors to meet the nutritional needs of bird.
Ideally, pellets should constitute around 60-80% of a budgies diet. The remaining 20% should compromise a variety of fresh foods, including leafy greens, fruits, and sprouted greens. When offering fruits and vegetables, it is crucial to wash them thoroughly to remove any chemicals. Cutting them in to small pieces appropriate for the bird’s size is important, it is not necessary to to take the skin off. Fruits and vegetables should be provided in a separate dish to ensure easy access for the budgie.
Certain foods should never be fed to budgies as they can be toxic and harmful to their health. This includes chocolate, avocado, fruit seeds (apple seeds as they contain cyanide) and caffeine. If the budgie shows no interest in the offered fruits or vegetables within 24 hours, it is best to remove them and replace them with fresh food.
Make sure that bird should always has access to drinking water dish. Keep the water bowl clean by washing it with soapy water or running it through the dishwasher. Birds may enjoy bathing in their water dishes, so be sure to check and refill the water bowl frequently. Avoid placing the water bowl under birds perch to prevent contamination. Regularly change the water to avoid bacterial build-up.
Housing
Budgies are known for being active and playful birds, which is why it is important to provide them with a spacious cage that allows room for various activities such as playing, sleeping, eating and flying. The minimum recommended dimensions for a cage that will house a single bird are 18.5×18.5×18.5 inches, but larger cages are always better as budgies require space for horizontal flight. It is crucial that the cage bars are closely spaced, not more than 1 cm apart, to prevent the bird from getting its head stuck and potentially harming itself, while still allowing for gripping and climbing.
Make sure to provide multiple perch’s at different levels within cage, allowing budgie to move comfortably between them. Additionally, include a nest for sleeping, food and water dishes, various toys, and items for chewing inside the cage. Avoid placing perches directly over food or water to prevent contamination.
Position the cage in an area where budgie can observe family members moving around, making them feel like part of the family. Ideally, place the cage in a spot with plenty of sunlight but away from direct sunlight and drafts.
Regularly clean budgies cage at least once a week, washing the food and water bowls, toys, and cage bottom with hot soapy water followed by a thorough rinse. This will help to maintain a clean and healthy environment for your feathered friend.
Health
Regular visits to an avian veterinarian every 6-12 months are recommended for pet budgie to undergo a routine checkup, which include a fecal exam, blood work, and a wing or nail trim if necessary.
Common health issues that budgies may face include parasites, obesity, chronic egg laying, overgrown nails and beaks, and egg binding. If you notice any concerning symptoms in budgie, such as iodine deficiency- induced goiters or tumors due to an imbalanced diet, contact avian vet promptly. Budgies are also at risk of psittacosis, caused by bacteria, and scaly mites affecting their skin.
Monitoring budgies health closely is crucial. Look out for signs like fluffed up feathers, closed eyes, lethargy, drooping tail or wings, discharge around the eyes, noes or beak, sneezing and coughing, diarrhea, and irregular breathing.
In conclusion, budgerigars are delightful companions that bring joy and companionship to many households worldwide. There vibrant colors, playful personalities, and ability to mimic sounds endear budgies to their owners. Responsible ownership is essential to ensure their well-being, which includes providing appropriate housing, diet, and enrichment. By understanding their needs and investing tie and effort in to their care, budgerigar owners can establish fulfilling and enduring relationships with these delightful feathered friends.
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Sandra. MB1, K. Senthilkumar 2, S. Gayathri 3 and G. Srinivasan 4
3 & 4 , Faculty of Poultry Science, Suguna Institute of Poultry Management,
Udumalpet – 642207 , Tamil Nadu
Assistant Professor, Post Graduate Research Institute in Animal Sciences, TANUVAS, Kattupakkam -603203
