Post by Julie on Feb 14, 2006 14:36:52 GMT
Questions you may be asking yourself:-
Is a budgie different from a parakeet?
Budgies are commonly referred to as parakeets but the word parakeet actually describes any small parrot-like bird with a long tail. The term budgie was derived from the word budgerigar, which is based on a similar sounding Aborigine phrase that means, "good eating" and refers specifically to the species Melopsittacus Undulatus.
What is the difference between an "English" and an "American" budgie?
When people refer to an "English" budgie they are generally talking about a budgie that is significantly bigger than the wild Australian budgerigar and with characteristics and features that were developed and enhanced specifically for show. Some of these features include a bigger head and chest, large, circular throat spots, and vibrant, clear colors and markings. "English" budgies are generally less active and more prone to "American" budgies are much closer in size and features to the wild Australian budgerigar. They have streamline bodies, are very active, and are the type usually seen and sold in pet stores in the United States and Canada.
What is average life span of a budgie?
The average lifespan of a budgie is generally 2-7 years. There are budgies that have lived to 13 and ever older, and there are budgies that die before their first birthday. There are many factors that can affect the lifespan on a budgie. American budgies generally live longer that English budgies, and breeding budgies often have shorter lives than those who never raise chicks. Many budgies die from natural causes like tumors (Budgies unfortunately are very susceptible to them), and many budgies die from dangers and accidents that could have been prevented.
What size cage should I get for my new budgie?
Budgies, like all pet birds, need to have a cage that is minimally big enough for them to stretch and flap their wings without hitting the walls or any hanging toys. A good rule of thumb is, the bigger the better -- generally no smaller than 12"x18"x18". The most important thing to watch for when buying a cage is that the spacing between the bars is no wider than 1/2-inch wide. Any wider than that and a budgie could squeeze through the bars and escape, or try to squeeze through the bars and get stuck.
What is cuttlebone and does my budgie need it?
Cuttlebone is the skeleton of the squid-like cuttlefish and it contains calcium and other minerals important to the health of your budgie. Other types of mineral blocks may be substituted for cuttlebone if your budgies don't use cuttlebone, or use it so much that it is literally destroyed by them.
Does my budgie need grit?
No. In the wild, budgies need some kind of grit to help them digest all the foods they eat. Pet budgies are generally fed foods that are easily digestible like seeds, pellets, fresh fruits and vegetables. This easily-digestible diet makes the need for grit obsolete. However, it usually isn't harmful for a pet budgie to be offered grit every once in awhile. But it is best not to leave grit in their cage at all times because sometimes pet budgies will overindulge on grit which can cause digestive problems which can be fatal.
How can I tell the sex of my budgie?
In general, the color of a budgie's cere is the simplest indicator of sex in adult budgies: males are blue, and females are white, light beige, reddish, or brown. While it is fairly accurate, the color of the cere cannot always be used to sex a budgie. With some color varieties, like albinos, lutinos, fallows, and some recessive pieds like harlequins, both males and females have beige or pink colored ceres. Other visual sexing methods include females having an almost invisible, whitish rings around their nostrils, and males having more rounded, bulbous ceres, both of which are often hard to recognize to the untrained eye. And many people also say that females bite harder than males and that males have rounder heads while females heads are more flat on the top.
What kind of cage does my budgie need? The bigger the better. Budgies are active and need plenty of room for climbing around, playing with toys, and flapping their wings. A smaller cage requires more time out for budgie for exercise. Some of the more important things to look for in a budgie cage are:
• Bars that run horizontally. (These are much easier for budgies to climb)
• Spacing between bars no wider than 1/2" wide (12mm)
• At least large enough for your budgie to be able to stretch out and turn around inside.
• A flat top of the cage can serve as a perch or resting spot when your budgie is out.
• Secure doors can be handy because many budgies learn to open the basic lift-up door and can let themselves out.
• A special door or removable door for a nest box (If you are planning on letting your budgies breed)
Thanks Sal!
Is a budgie different from a parakeet?
Budgies are commonly referred to as parakeets but the word parakeet actually describes any small parrot-like bird with a long tail. The term budgie was derived from the word budgerigar, which is based on a similar sounding Aborigine phrase that means, "good eating" and refers specifically to the species Melopsittacus Undulatus.
What is the difference between an "English" and an "American" budgie?
When people refer to an "English" budgie they are generally talking about a budgie that is significantly bigger than the wild Australian budgerigar and with characteristics and features that were developed and enhanced specifically for show. Some of these features include a bigger head and chest, large, circular throat spots, and vibrant, clear colors and markings. "English" budgies are generally less active and more prone to "American" budgies are much closer in size and features to the wild Australian budgerigar. They have streamline bodies, are very active, and are the type usually seen and sold in pet stores in the United States and Canada.
What is average life span of a budgie?
The average lifespan of a budgie is generally 2-7 years. There are budgies that have lived to 13 and ever older, and there are budgies that die before their first birthday. There are many factors that can affect the lifespan on a budgie. American budgies generally live longer that English budgies, and breeding budgies often have shorter lives than those who never raise chicks. Many budgies die from natural causes like tumors (Budgies unfortunately are very susceptible to them), and many budgies die from dangers and accidents that could have been prevented.
What size cage should I get for my new budgie?
Budgies, like all pet birds, need to have a cage that is minimally big enough for them to stretch and flap their wings without hitting the walls or any hanging toys. A good rule of thumb is, the bigger the better -- generally no smaller than 12"x18"x18". The most important thing to watch for when buying a cage is that the spacing between the bars is no wider than 1/2-inch wide. Any wider than that and a budgie could squeeze through the bars and escape, or try to squeeze through the bars and get stuck.
What is cuttlebone and does my budgie need it?
Cuttlebone is the skeleton of the squid-like cuttlefish and it contains calcium and other minerals important to the health of your budgie. Other types of mineral blocks may be substituted for cuttlebone if your budgies don't use cuttlebone, or use it so much that it is literally destroyed by them.
Does my budgie need grit?
No. In the wild, budgies need some kind of grit to help them digest all the foods they eat. Pet budgies are generally fed foods that are easily digestible like seeds, pellets, fresh fruits and vegetables. This easily-digestible diet makes the need for grit obsolete. However, it usually isn't harmful for a pet budgie to be offered grit every once in awhile. But it is best not to leave grit in their cage at all times because sometimes pet budgies will overindulge on grit which can cause digestive problems which can be fatal.
How can I tell the sex of my budgie?
In general, the color of a budgie's cere is the simplest indicator of sex in adult budgies: males are blue, and females are white, light beige, reddish, or brown. While it is fairly accurate, the color of the cere cannot always be used to sex a budgie. With some color varieties, like albinos, lutinos, fallows, and some recessive pieds like harlequins, both males and females have beige or pink colored ceres. Other visual sexing methods include females having an almost invisible, whitish rings around their nostrils, and males having more rounded, bulbous ceres, both of which are often hard to recognize to the untrained eye. And many people also say that females bite harder than males and that males have rounder heads while females heads are more flat on the top.
What kind of cage does my budgie need? The bigger the better. Budgies are active and need plenty of room for climbing around, playing with toys, and flapping their wings. A smaller cage requires more time out for budgie for exercise. Some of the more important things to look for in a budgie cage are:
• Bars that run horizontally. (These are much easier for budgies to climb)
• Spacing between bars no wider than 1/2" wide (12mm)
• At least large enough for your budgie to be able to stretch out and turn around inside.
• A flat top of the cage can serve as a perch or resting spot when your budgie is out.
• Secure doors can be handy because many budgies learn to open the basic lift-up door and can let themselves out.
• A special door or removable door for a nest box (If you are planning on letting your budgies breed)
Thanks Sal!
