Parakeets, otherwise known as budgerigars, are intelligent birds that make great pets. Parakeets are easy to care for, but have some special needs.
Budgerigars, which are more commonly know as parakeets, are intelligent and very personable creatures. Amazingly, some males can be taught to mimic words and phrases. They are available in a variety of colors, and males can be identified by the blue hue above their beaks. Their unique qualities make them very popular as pets, and they are a pleasure to have in the home.
"A Step-By-Step Book About Budgerigars" written by George A. Radtke and published by T.F.H. Publications, recommends purchasing a cage that is easy to clean. It needs to be big enough for the parakeet to stretch its wings and fly form one side to the other. The cage also needs to have intersecting bars enabling the parakeet to climb. There are many different cages to choose from. They can be basic and inexpensive or elaborate and quite costly. There are cages to meet all preferences and budgets. Liners containing grit necessary for birds are available for the bottom of the cage. These make cleaning easier, but paper toweling cut to size works just as well as long as grit is provided in another form. Grit embedded perch covers are good to use in a parakeet's cage. Besides providing grit to the parakeet's diet, the rough texture will help keep its nails and beak worn down. According to the book, the cage and uncovered perches should be cleaned with hot water each week. Covering the cage with a light weight material at night will help make the parakeet feel more secure. A sheet cut down to size will work well. Just be sure the cover is made from a material that will provide enough ventilation.
The same book also suggests toys and other furnishings for a parkeet's cage. Food and water containers that attach betwen the bars of the cage are handy. They are adjustable and easy to remove for filling and cleaning. If you are planning on having one bird, you should provide plenty of toys such as rings, balls, swings, and bells. Parakeets love mirrors and other reflective objects. It is especially good to have a mirror in the cage if you have just one bird. They are social creatures and will not be as lonely if there is another bird as a companion, or the reflection of themselves to admire. A parakeet will even try to feed the other bird in the mirror.
"A Step-By-Step Book About Budgerigars" says a parakeet's diet should consist mainly of millet seed. Seeds can be purchased either in bulk or in a box. Millet is also available in its natural form on a stalk. The book also says that it is important to blow away the empty seed hulls from the bowl if the parakeet is a youngster. Older birds use their beaks to shove the empty hulls out of the dish, sometimes making quite a mess in the process. It is easy to mistake empty hulls for good ones, and the parakeet may not get fed often enough if his dish appears to be full. A cuttlebone containing grit will provide a parakeet with the calcium it needs, aid in digestion, and keep the bird's bill from becoming too long. Parakeets also need supplements of raw fruits and vegetables, but they should be offered in moderation. Remember to keep your parakeet's food and water fresh, and the dishes should be regularly cleaned with hot, soapy water.
A sick parakeet will sleep more than usual and fluff out its feathers. If your parakeet appears to be sick, or is not eating enough you should contact a veternarian. With proper feeding, care, and love, your parakeet will live a long and healthy life.
