Budgie Care Sheet

🐦 Budgie Care Sheet 

(Also known as Budgerigars or Parakeets)

Budgies are friendly, colourful, and intelligent birds that make fantastic pets. They are great for first-time bird owners and families due to their playful nature, small size, and ability to bond with humans. With the right care, a budgie can live a happy and healthy life for many years.

✅ Quick Facts

  • Scientific Name: Melopsittacus undulatus

  • Origin: Australia

  • Lifespan: 8–12 years (sometimes longer!)

  • Size: 18–20 cm

  • Temperament: Social, curious, and interactive

  • Talking Ability: Some can learn words and mimic sounds!

🏡 Housing & Environment

Cage Size

  • Minimum: 60cm (L) x 40cm (W) x 45cm (H)

  • Bigger is always better—especially for pairs or more

  • Horizontal bars are ideal for climbing

Cage Setup

  • Perches (varied sizes and textures)

  • Toys and chewables (rotate regularly to prevent boredom)

  • Food and water dishes

  • A cuttlebone or mineral block

  • Liner or paper for easy cleaning

Location

  • Indoors in a bright, draft-free area

  • Away from kitchens and strong smells

  • Keep them in a social part of the house—they love company!

🥗 Feeding Your Budgie

Main Diet

  • High-quality budgie seed mix or pellets

  • Always provide fresh water daily

Fresh Foods (daily in small amounts)

✔ Leafy greens (spinach, kale, silverbeet)
✔ Carrot, corn, capsicum
✔ Apple, pear, berries (remove seeds!)
❌ Avoid avocado, onion, chocolate, caffeine, and alcohol – toxic to birds

Supplements

  • Cuttlebone for calcium

  • Grit (optional if fed seed-based diet)

✂️ Care & Maintenance

  • Clean cage weekly, spot clean daily

  • Change food and water daily

  • Trim nails if needed (or visit a vet/groomer)

  • Provide a shallow bath or mist them for bathing

  • Toys should be bird-safe (no loose threads or sharp edges)

🧠 Enrichment & Social Needs

  • Budgies are very social – they need interaction daily

  • Can be kept alone if given lots of human attention, but prefer living in pairs

  • Talk, whistle, or play music—they love sound and communication

  • Train with treats and patience—they can learn tricks and words!

🏥 Health & Signs to Watch For

  • Healthy budgies are active, alert, and have smooth feathers

  • Watch for:
    ❗ Fluffed up all the time
    ❗ Discharge from eyes or nose
    ❗ Weight loss or changes in droppings
    ❗ Loss of appetite

📍 If you notice any of these signs, contact an avian vet

🐣 Fun Facts:

  • Budgies are one of the smallest members of the parrot family

  • They can move their heads 270 degrees!

  • A happy budgie will chirp, whistle, and play often

🧾 Budgie Checklist

☑ Spacious cage with perches and toys
☑ Fresh food and water daily
☑ Time out of cage to stretch wings (supervised)
☑ Social interaction and enrichment
☑ Regular cleaning and vet check-ups

 

With the right care, your budgie will be a joyful, chatty companion for years to come! 💛🦜