If you've owned a pet bird at any point in time, you've probably owned a parakeet. One of the smallest birds in the parrot family, parakeets are the most popular pet bird in the United States. These little birds are often found in pet stores, homes, and even schools— but do parakeets make good pets?
Fortunately, these birds have more to offer than just their colorful plumage. Parakeets make wonderful pets and are considered one of the best bird breeds for first-time bird owners. Easy to care for and sweet, these social butterflies birds love to interact with both each other and their human friends.
While parakeets are fairly easy to care for compared to other exotic birds, they still have several special requirements that might make you less likely to bring one into your life. As always, make sure you're prepared to be a responsible pet owner before adopting any pet, including a parakeet.
Here's everything to know to help decide if a parakeet is the right pet for you.
Get to Know the Parakeet
Parakeet is a broad term for a variety of small to medium-sized parrot species with hooked noses and long tails. These birds are highly intelligent, easy to train, and most can learn to talk just like the larger parrot species. The most popular type of parakeet to keep as a pet is the budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus) or budgie. All parakeets are native to Australia, where they can still be found in large flocks in the wild. When kept in captivity, these birds have an average lifespan of six to twelve years, but they can live even longer with proper care.
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A parakeet's immediate surroundings are crucial to its well-being. They need plenty of room to climb and fly, so purchase the largest cage you can fit in your house. They fly horizontally, so make sure you choose a cage with ample horizontal measurements.
Metals such as brass and zinc can be toxic to birds, so a stainless steel cage is the best and safest option for housing your pet bird. Parakeets like to climb, so it's important to choose a cage with horizontal bars.
How to Care for Your Bird
Keeping your bird happy and healthy starts with a proper environment, but you'll also need to provide a perch and toys to keep them busy. Toys with mirrors, bells, and ladders will help keep your parakeet happy and stimulated. However, toys alone aren't enough. Parakeets are social creatures and need daily interaction, including plenty of time out of the cage—so be sure you can devote enough time and energy to your bird before adding one to the family.
Purchasing a pair is also a popular option, as they will keep each other company. Just keep in mind that a pair of parakeets will be more likely to bond with each other, and less inclined to bond with you. If you interact with them regularly, though, you can become part of their flock.
These social birds make good pets and great companions for families!
What to Feed a Parakeet
Feeding your pet a high-quality diet is a must. A strictly seed diet is a big no-no, as seeds can breed dangerous bacteria over time and can endanger the bird's life. Instead, a parakeet diet should include pellets, mixed seeds, and a variety of fresh fruits and veggies. You will also need to provide your pet bird with a cuttlebone and mineral block, which offers calcium and other essential nutrients.
Like any pets, parakeets require regular veterinary care, so be sure you're willing and able to provide that before you buy one. They are are prone to tumors, mites, bacterial infections, and other conditions related to nutritional deficiencies. A good avian vet can help you avoid some of these common pitfalls and prolong your parakeet's life.
With safe, clean surroundings, daily interaction, a high-quality diet, and regular veterinary care, a parakeet can flourish in your home.
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FAQs
Parakeets are among the most low-maintenance types of birds kept as pets, being among the smallest companion birds as well as relatively easy to train in their youth. Males especially are known to be great birds for first-time owners, as they bond easily to their owners and are simple to train.
Are parakeets good for first time bird owners? ›
Also known as budgies, parakeets are good for people new to bird-keeping. Parakeets are quite intelligent and can learn a few basic commands. Some may be able to pick up some human words. Parakeets thrive on interaction with their owners and should be handled for around a half-hour or more per day.
Do parakeets bond with owners? ›
Parakeets can be amazing pets that happily bond with their human flock members. While the common name “parakeet" can refer to many small parrots, the most familiar pet parakeet is the budgerigar, or budgie (Melopsittacus undulatus).
Are parakeets easy to take care of for beginners? ›
They are usually thought of as easy keepers- and are traditionally given bird seed and water and kept as multiples in relatively small cages. However, the more we learn about parakeets and their needs and behaviors the more we know that they require more than just this basic care to thrive in a captive environment.
How do parakeets act when you first get them? ›
When you first bring your bird home, don't expect much. He'll usually sit at the bottom of the cage for a day or two, without making any sounds. As he gets more used to his new surroundings, he'll hop up on his perch and chirp a bit. After a few days, keep your hand in the cage a while when changing food and water.
Can I leave my parakeets alone for 3 days? ›
It's fine for them to be alone and stay in the cage for two weeks, but you need someone to come in twice a day, ideally. Twice a week isn't going to work. If they soil their water, they can get a bacterial infection because bacterial growth can start in just a few hours if the water is very dirty.
Are 2 parakeets better than 1? ›
Parakeets love each other's company
Very occasionally, two birds will fight, regardless of the millet, and you may have to keep them apart longer and try again in a week or so. The larger the cage, the easier the transition. As a general rule, a pair of parakeets will be happier than a single bird.
Do parakeets like to be out of their cage? ›
Getting time out of the cage to fly, socialize, and bond with you is an important part of a pet parakeet's daily routine. More than that, it's a time for the two of you to hang out and have fun.
Do parakeets only like one person? ›
Social Interaction
Budgies are incredibly social creatures, and they thrive on companionship. If you're not able to spend a significant amount of time with your budgie, they might get lonely. Having a budgie buddy can provide them with social interaction, keeping them happy and engaged.
Can I leave my parakeet alone for 2 days? ›
Leaving them for more than a day, however, is pushing it. The main issues are food and water. A single parakeet or a pair of the birds may run their food sources dry within 48 hours, it all depends on the cage set-up however.
Young parakeets are not ready to be moved to new homes until they are 8 to 10 weeks old. These youngsters have distinctive horizontal markings on their heads, including the crown (forehead).
What to know before owning a parakeet? ›
Parakeets, being a smaller bird, have only a small amount of blood in their bodies and can easily bleed to death if a feather or nail is trimmed too close to a vein. Parakeets have a very active metabolism and can easily become ill if they go without food for 24 hours.
Should I cover my parakeet's cage at night? ›
Using a cage cover at night mimics that nest cavity. It also shelters the bird from any ambient light that is in your home as well as allowing your bird to sleep without any drafts caused by air conditioning or an air purifier that you might have running.
Do parakeets get turned on when you pet them? ›
Physical hugging or scratching around the head is acceptable, but scratching, stroking or petting your bird around the back, rump, and hind end may cause sexual stimulation. Redirect your bird's attention towards other toys and healthy interactive play with you, the owner.
What to do when you first get a parakeet home? ›
5 STEPS TO SUCCESSFULLY BRINGING A NEW BIRD HOME
- Step 1: Acclimate your bird to the cage. Now, you've either adopted or purchased a bird, and it's the start of a wonderful adventure. ...
- Step 2: Talk to your new bird. ...
- Step 3: Gently handle your new bird. ...
- Step 4: Add objects to the cage. ...
- Step 5: Establish a bond of trust.
Parakeets are among the most low-maintenance types of birds kept as pets, being among the smallest companion birds as well as relatively easy to train in their youth. Males especially are known to be great birds for first-time owners, as they bond easily to their owners and are simple to train.
How hard is it to own a parakeet? ›
Parakeets are very social birds and do well if kept in a colony setting. They will, however, be more difficult to hand tame since they will get their needed attention from the other birds rather than the people in the home. Remember that birds are very sensitive to temperature.
Is it OK to keep a parakeet alone? ›
Social Interaction
Budgies are incredibly social creatures, and they thrive on companionship. If you're not able to spend a significant amount of time with your budgie, they might get lonely. Having a budgie buddy can provide them with social interaction, keeping them happy and engaged.
