Pet Corner - Parakeets or Budgies: Little Social Birds

For families that cannot have a cat or dog because of space, a landlord, or because of allergies, birds might be something to consider.  Birds can be playful, amusing, and very social.  Like any pet, however, there are things you should know before you bring a feathered friend home from the pet store.  As a kid I enjoyed several parakeets and when I started college, I purchased sixteen breeding pairs, set up nesting boxes in a large aviary and began a breeding program.  Soon I was selling the babies to local pet stores.  I learned a lot from the experience and I earned enough money to pay for my textbooks. 

The term "parakeet" is actually a catchall term referring to several kinds of small birds related to the parrot.  The bird that most Americans refer to as a parakeet is actually a "budgie" or "budgerigar."  Both names refer to small birds that live in the Australian bush. The British and the Australians typically use the term budgie while Americans use the term parakeet.  Budgie or parakeet--these are delightful little birds that can live eight  to ten years if they are given proper care that includes a clean cage, quality food, clean water, daily exercise, and companionship.

The gender of a parakeet can determined by observing the color of the area above the beak surrounding the nostrils.  This area is called the "cere." With adult parakeets, the cere is blue if it is a male and brownish pink tone if the bird is female.  The gender of young parakeets is harder to discern because in both young males and females this area is a shade of purple.  Experts say they still can tell because the young male's cere is slightly brighter.  

A parakeet's cage must be large enough for the bird to stretch his wings and fly a short distance. The bars should be narrow enough to prevent the bird from catching its head between them.  The cage should have both vertical and horizontal bars for climbing.  A bottom tray that pulls out will make clean up easier and a plastic skirt helps to keep seeds from flying out and landing on the floor.  The cage must be cleaned regularly and should be equipped with cuttlebone, water, seed, small pieces of fresh fruit and vegetables, and interesting objects for climbing and playing.

Parakeets should be let out of their cage every day, for at least an hour. Before taking him out, be sure there are no open windows or doors.  If your parakeet you will have better luck at training it to  land on your finger to be brought out of the cage, and later to be put back.  It is always best to supervise these periods outside of the cage.  Without this regular exercise parakeets can become over weight.  This is particularly true if they are given seed treats soaked in honey.  If you want to give your parakeet these treats, keep it a special occasion, rather than something always available to them. 

What I like most about parakeets is they each have a distinctive personality, they are "monogamous," mating for life, and if there is only one of them, they will seek and find companionship with humans.  Parakeets need to belong to a flock and they will see the human family as their flock if necessary.  I also love the wide range of colors to be found on parakeets.  When I was breeding them I had green, blue, yellow, albino, and combinations of those colors.  I never had much luck training a parakeet to talk, but with patience and repetition, it can be done. If you want your bird to talk, be sure not to have a mirror or another bird in the cage; with a mirror or a companion bird, they are less likely to focus on you and the words you are trying to get them to say.

Like any pet, parakeets need attention from their owners.  They need social interaction and a variety of interesting or challenging activities.  They need to explore their environment and spread their wings.   If you can provide these things for them you will be rewarded with a little colorful feathered friend that can always bring you good cheer. 

For further information on the Saratoga County Animal Shelter, visit www.saratogacountyny.gov or call (518) 885-4113.  Also, if you have questions about your pets, pet adoption or other related topics send them to jsweet@skidmore.edu. If we do not have the answers, we will contact people who do!