Budgerigar (Budgie)
Small, social, and often surprisingly chatty. Budgies can be a great fit if you want a companion bird and can commit to daily interaction, enrichment, and consistent cage care.
size
Small
energy
Medium to High
noise
Low to Medium
lifespan
7 to 15 years
socialNeeds
High
messLevel
Medium
trainability
Medium
talking
Sometimes
aloneTimeTolerance
Low to Medium
space
Cage plus daily out time
Best for
- People who want a small, social companion
- Homes that can offer daily interaction and enrichment
- First-time bird owners who are ready to learn handling basics
- Apartments that can manage occasional chirping
Not ideal for
- Very busy schedules with long stretches of alone time
- Homes that need very quiet pets
- People who want a low-mess pet
- Anyone not comfortable with routine cage cleaning
Temperament
- Curious and playful
- Often bonds strongly with consistent handling
- Can be timid at first and needs patience
- Usually does best with daily, gentle interaction
Daily routine
diet: Fresh water daily. A balanced diet (quality pellets plus vegetables) and limited seed treats.
enrichment: Rotate toys, offer foraging opportunities, and provide safe chew items.
outOfCageTime: Aim for supervised out-of-cage time most days once the environment is safe.
cleaning: Spot-clean daily, deeper clean weekly (liners, perches, food bowls).
Living fit
apartment: Often a good fit if you manage noise and keep a stable routine.
family: Can be a fit for families with gentle, supervised handling and clear boundaries.
firstTimeOwner: Good starter bird if you learn handling, safety, and diet basics.
Health notes
- Birds hide illness. Watch for fluffed feathers, low appetite, changes in droppings, or reduced activity.
- Avoid Teflon/PTFE fumes, smoke, aerosols, and scented candles near birds.
- Find an avian vet for baseline checks and advice on diet and environment.
Cost and time
time: Moderate. Daily feeding, interaction, and short cleaning tasks.
cost: Upfront costs include a safe cage and setup. Ongoing costs include food, toys, and avian vet care.
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