Parakeet Tips

Parakeets, also known as budgies in some parts of the world, are bright tropical birds. Parakeets are popular pets because they enjoy human interaction, can be trained and are relatively easy to care for. A well-cared for pet parakeet can live up to 15 years.

  1. Diet

    • Feed a parakeet a commercially prepared bird food that consists of seeds. Choose a mix without artificial colors or additives, if possible. Add variety to your parakeet's diet each day with fresh foods like kale, broccoli, papaya, apples and carrots. Remove any pits, which can be fatal to a parakeet. Cut these foods into pieces small enough for the parakeet to take with one bite. Attach a mineral block to the cage that the parakeet will use when it wants. Replace the mineral block when necessary.

    Play and Exercise

    • Parakeets are social creatures. They are happiest when they have another parakeet to interact with, or plenty of human interaction. Spend at least half and hour a day stroking, talking to and playing with a parakeet. Parakeets also need exercise outside of a cage. Let it fly around a home for several hours each day.

    Cage

    • The parakeet cage must be wide enough to allow the birds to fly short distances. For one or two parakeets, the cage must be 39 inches wide, 20 inches tall and 32 inches deep. It must be high enough for the birds to climb for more exercise. The cage should be cleaned daily to remove bird droppings and spilled food. Insert branches from poplar or willow trees to serve as natural perches. Do not use branches from poisonous trees such as acacia, boxwood or oleander.

    Toys

    • Liven up your parakeet's cage with a few fun toys. Parakeets favor ladders, bells and chew toys. Any toy has to be large enough that the bird can't swallow it and clean enough for the bird to chew.

    Parakeet Safety

    • Never feed a parakeet chocolate, caffeine, avocados, cabbage, lemon or dried fruit. These foods, which are toxic to the birds, can't be left out when the birds are outside of the cage. Close all doors and windows before letting the bird out of its cage, put away household cleaners, and turn off ceiling fans. Put away any plants that might be toxic to parakeets, such as English Ivy, poinsettias and tulips.

    Illness

    • A parakeet that stays on the bottom of the cage, or shows marked changes in appetite or stool production, may be sick. If you notice these signs, or other strange behaviors from the bird, take the bird to a veterinarian.