Three things to know about your 2025 Parakeet

Parakeets, whether white, blue, yellow, or even pink, are small, colorful birds full of life! Despite their small size, the parakeet is a member of the parrot family.

They are an excellent companion for any novice bird owner who would like to adopt a bird. They are easy to tame and are probably the easiest pet bird to care for.

If you own a parakeet, or are considering adopting one, this article will answer some of the questions you might have.

I will also familiarize you with some basics that a budgie owner should know.

Parakeets are generally very sociable birds. They enjoy interacting with humans and can develop close bonds with their owners. In addition to their sociability, they are also very curious and enjoy exploring their surroundings.

These birds are native to Australia. In common parlance, the term "parakeet" is often used to describe a variety of small parrot species, including the budgerigar, which is known for its distinct wavy feather patterns.

Other types of parakeets include the ring-necked parakeet, which is larger in size and has a distinct black collar around its neck; the Bourke's parakeet, which is known for its pinkish coloration; and the harlequin parakeet, which is distinguished by a bright and varied color palette.

In the wild, budgies live in colonies. Therefore, it is advisable to keep them in pairs or small groups when kept in captivity.

If you don't want to end up with your own colony, make sure you only leave females or only males together!

To differentiate a male from a female budgie, look at their cere, just above their beak. A male will most likely have a royal blue cere, and the female's will be white, pale blue, or pink.

Lifespan of budgies

How long does a budgie live? This is a good question to ask yourself before committing to adopting one.

Captive budgies have a longer life expectancy, averaging 6 to 12 years.

A "captive" budgie refers to a budgie that lives in a human-controlled environment, rather than in the wild. These birds are usually kept as pets and live in cages inside a home.

Indeed, when budgies are kept in captivity, they have access to better food, a safer environment, and veterinary care. They have no predators (unless you have a cat at home...).

All of these factors, along with others such as genetics and exercise, can significantly increase a budgie's lifespan.

With excellent care, captive budgies can even live up to 20 years!

Wild parakeets , on the other hand, have a lifespan of around 5 years.

So, even though budgies are small, fragile creatures, as members of the parrot family they have a surprisingly long lifespan.

Songs and sounds of parakeets

Adding a parakeet to your family will undoubtedly brighten up your daily life.

They will greet you with beautiful songs and can produce sounds you never imagined they could make.

Have you ever wondered what those budgie sounds mean?

Parakeet Songs

It's always a good sign to hear your budgie singing, it means they're probably happy and healthy.

Most of their sounds and melodies are inspired by their surroundings, which they mimic, even the human voice. They will imitate telephone rings, televisions, music, birds outside, other pets, etc.

Through the melodies they produce, parakeets are birds that can also demonstrate a lot of imagination and creativity.

I myself took in a male parakeet named Albert two years ago. I've noticed that he likes to sing the same melody over and over again. I don't know where he got it from, and I suspect he probably invented it.

The song of a male budgie can differ from that of a female budgie. Typically, male budgies are known to be more vocal than females.

They tend to sing more frequently and their songs are often more varied and complex. Male budgies use song not only to express their mood but also to attract the attention of females.

On the other hand, although female budgies can also make sounds, these are generally less melodious and more limited in variety.

It's important to note, however, that every budgie is unique, and the accuracy of these generalizations may vary. Indeed, your female budgie's song can also be very pleasant and melodious!

Parakeet cries

If your parakeet seems to be screaming, he is probably expressing fear, discomfort, or a bad mood.

For example, Albert will scream if you try to interact with him after 8 p.m. Obviously, after that time, he prefers to stay quiet and alone. He will also scream if his food bowl is empty during the day.

Junior, the hyacinth macaw I worked with, would scream when no one was looking (and trust me, he made the loudest sound you've ever heard). He loved being the center of attention.

Parakeets and parrots in general have very bubbly personalities and you will learn over time what various sounds mean in your own bird.

Can budgies talk?

Some males can. It takes a LOT of patience and it may never happen, but some males are said to have the ability to learn a few words.

Parakeets are not known for their ability to talk. African grey parrots probably can.

Albert is definitely not one of those special budgies that can talk!

If you want to have a better chance of getting your budgie to talk, start by repeating simple words like "Hello" from a young age, several times a day, and give it time. With patience, you might even have a talking budgie!

How to communicate with a parakeet?

Communicating with a budgie or any other type of parakeet requires patience, consistency, and an understanding of their body language.

Start by spending time near their crate, talking softly and offering treats to build trust. It's crucial to respect their space and not force interaction.

Parakeets communicate by chirping, singing, and using body language. For example, if they ruffle their feathers and start nodding their heads, they are probably content and happy.

On the other hand, a silent, curled-up budgie may signal distress or illness.

One of the things I noticed about my Albert is the way he squeaks his beak. I noticed the same behavior in a hyacinth macaw I worked with at the Aquarium du Québec. They make this very distinctive sound to express contentment, much like a cat purrs.

Do budgies like music?

Indeed, parakeets seem to enjoy music.

Many parakeet owners have noticed that their birds sway, chirp, or even sing in response to certain types of music.

It's important to note, however, that not all budgies react the same way to music. Some may be indifferent, while others may be disturbed by high volumes or particularly loud genres of music.

Therefore, it is advisable to observe your budgie's reaction to different types of music and adjust accordingly.

Parakeet Care

How to care for a budgie:

Nails

Some people are tempted to use sand-covered perches to help control nail growth, but these can be harmful to the skin.

A budgie on a decent diet should not need to have its nails trimmed too often.

If nails become too long, they must be trimmed regularly to prevent them from becoming curved and uncomfortable. Nails left to grow too long can damage the feet.

At first, I recommend getting help to hold your bird while you clip its nails. This will be much easier for you, as it is a delicate operation due to the size of the toes.

Carefully hold the budgie in a clean cloth and make sure its wings are placed at its sides (without squeezing too tightly, the budgie must be able to move its thorax to breathe).

You need to cut your nails fairly quickly: they can get too hot quickly. Holding one toe at a time, use nail clippers to cut each nail one at a time.

You will notice a vein growing inside the nail (you can usually see this in light colored nails, as the nail is white and the vein is pink) , be careful not to cut it.

If your bird's nails are dark, take extra care and trim them a little at a time.  

Wings

To prune or not to prune… Both options have advantages and disadvantages.

A parakeet with clipped wings will be able to glide, but not fly. Some would argue that it is easier to tame a bird with clipped wings. Many people believe it is also much safer, as the bird cannot truly escape and fly out of the house.

As for Albert, he's even afraid to leave his cage, and being held back is a tragedy for him, so I decided not to clip his wings. He has a large cage, big enough to fly, and I think this situation suits him.

Depending on your bird's lifestyle and personality, you will be able to choose the best option for your parakeet.

Food

We could talk about diet for a very long time. A balanced diet is the best gift you can give your parakeet.

Don't just feed them seeds! I know it's tempting, they love them, but seeds should only make up about 50% of their meals.

The remaining 50% should be pellets. A bird that does not eat pellets risks vitamin and mineral deficiencies.

It's also important to include fruits and vegetables in your bird's daily diet. Personally, I find these to be the best treats !

You'll have to experiment with different foods to find out what your bird likes best. After trying a lot of things, I discovered that Albert loves spinach!

You can also try different healthy everyday foods, such as noodles or cooked eggs.

They also need daily access to fresh water in their cage, but that's a given!

Cage

One important thing I didn't know, until I learned in the field, was that birds have very specific housing needs.

They need perches of different sizes and textures so their feet don't always have the same pressure points. This also helps control nail growth.

It is also good to have a bath in your budgie's cage. They love to play in the water.

Albert sulked at his, but I discovered he liked being sprayed, so instead of a bath, I give him regular showers.

You need to stimulate your bird and provide them with things to do during the day. If they lack stimulation, they can easily become bored and start plucking their feathers.

Parrots love to destroy things. Provide your parakeet with bird-safe toys made of rope, cardboard, or shredded paper.

You can make your own bird toys inexpensively using non-toxic materials. Just make sure your bird doesn't develop the bad habit of eating its toys.

Here's one last tip for your bird's housing. Find a corner in their cage where you can add a mineral block or cuttlefish bone. Your parakeet will love chewing on this good source of calcium.

Health problem

To conclude this section on parakeet care, if you ever notice the appearance of symptoms or health problems, our natural products are formulated to take care of them for both parakeets and all other types of birds you have at home!

Please do not hesitate to contact us directly with any specific questions regarding your budgie's health care.

Conclusion

Parakeets are probably the easiest pet birds to care for, but that doesn't mean they don't require a lot of work.

Birds in general require a lot of specific care when it comes to their diet, housing, health, etc. But they have radiant personalities and will bring a lot of joy to any home.

Here's a little picture of my parakeet Albert, to brighten up your day!

If you're concerned that your pet may be suffering from a health issue, our Free Pet Health Referral can help. In addition to receiving advice and recommendations from our Natural Health Advisors, they'll also guide you through the products and treatment options that best suit your pet's health needs.