How to Take Home a New Parakeet

Many people choose parakeets, known as budgies or budgerigars, as pets because these birds require relatively little care, come in many bright colors, can learn large vocabularies and make active pets. Proper preparation before, during and after purchase of a new bird ensures the best possible experience for human and parakeet.

Things You'll Need

  • Parakeet cage
  • Water and food dishes
  • Bird perches
  • Bird toys
  • Newspaper
  • Seed
  • Cuttlebone
  • Mineral block
  • Light blanket
  • Veterinarian appointment
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Acquire pet parakeet supplies one or two days before actually buying a bird. These include a cage at least 1-1/2-feet long by 1-1/2-feet wide for one bird. Bigger cages are best for allowing flying room, although parakeets need more horizontal space than vertical space. Place or hang the cage at eye level in an active room of the house, away from direct sunlight and drafts. By putting the cage in an active room, you are acclimating the parakeets to people and getting them comfortable with activity. Set up water and food dishes, perches, bird toys inside the cage and newspaper on the bottom. Also buy seeds for parakeet food, a cuttlebone and a mineral block for nutrients and a light blanket as a nighttime cage cover.

    • 2

      Schedule a check up with an avian veterinarian on the day you buy your bird. Also research and write down information and numbers for local avian veterinarians for the future.

    • 3

      Remove sources of noise or stress from the bird's new room, such as fans, other pets or children. Your parakeet will spend the first few days adjusting to the new environment in your home. When the bird appears to be calm, move it to a more active room with people where it gets exposed to normal daily activity. This gradual exposure will lessen future stress on the bird.

    • 4

      Find an appropriate place to purchase your bird, which should be clean, with a well-cared active flock with no ill birds. Sick birds are identifiable by roused feathers and vomiting. They usually have difficulty balancing, crusty eyes and beak, lethargy and discharge from vent feathers, which are the feathers near the anus.

    • 5

      Check your budgie for health, age, personality and color. The bird will live another 8 to 10 years with proper care, so take your time choosing. A good bird is alert, has good health, clear eyes, a healthy weight and interacts with the flock. A parakeet with a healthy weight has a breastbone that you can feel and good layers of muscle of both sides of its breast.

    • 6

      Bring your cage with you when you buy the bird, and place it in the cage after purchase.

    • 7

      Take your budgie to its vet check-up, and then promptly bring it home. Parakeets don't generally like being in the car.