Parakeet Bird Facts, Behavior and Health Care Info

If you’re considering buying a pet bird, a great choice for beginners is the parakeet. These birds are readily available and quite affordable if you’re budget is limited. Also, the equipment required for parakeets does not require the investment that it would for some other species. They are also a good choice if you live in a small space.

Behavior and Characteristics
Don’t let their size fool you. These little guys can do most anything a larger bird can do. Even though they aren’t on the same level as the African grey, these birds are extremely intelligent and usually make great talkers. Some parakeets have been known to learn as many as 400 words and phrases.

Parakeets are extremely active and vocal. Usually, the only time they stop playing and chattering is when they go to sleep. This makes them a very entertaining pet for someone who is homebound.

The two different types of parakeets include the English Budgerigar and the American parakeet, which is much more common. The American parakeet is also smaller and more energetic than the English Budgie. This doesn’t mean that the English budgie won’t make an excellent pet, but there are a few things to be aware of. Due to years of inbreeding, these birds are more likely to develop health problems than the American parakeet. This inbreeding was done by breeders in an attempt to make show birds appear overstuffed.

Appearance
After 150 years of domestication, breeders have developed a wide variety of coloring variations. There are yellow, blue, violet, green, lutino, white and albino parakeets to choose from. It’s also not uncommon to find pied or spangled budgies. You can also find the strange looking crested parakeet. This bird is quite unique with it’s long, shaggy feathers growing around their heads.

Parakeets Care Info
Just like any other species, parakeets will do much better on a variety of foods, rather than just seeds. A diet of pellets, whole grain bread or cereal, fruits and vegetables along with seeds will give your bird the variety and nutrition he needs to stay happy and healthy.

Unfortunately, compared to many larger species, parakeets have a relatively short life span. While there have been some that have lived into their teenage years, eight to ten years is usually about average for these guys.

Most parakeet cages that you find in pet stores are quite small. These birds are very active and love to play, so if you have the room for it, a larger cage will probably make your bird happier. You’ll also need lots of toys and activities for your parakeet to keep him occupied. These birds are very high energy and curious and are always looking for something to do. Swings, Olympic style rings and balls are ideal toys for parakeets. Parakeets also enjoy toys with mirrors on them. This may not be the best idea though, as it may cause your bird to bond with his reflection instead of with you.

Parakeets are entertaining and intelligent little birds, and they make great pets for just about anyone. The only problem that many people have is not being able to decide between the many colors available. This is why a lot of people end up with three or four of them.

         

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