Budgies make excellent pets for many reasons. These little Australian parakeets are relatively low-maintenance, bond well with their owners, and are very social creatures.
They have long tail feathers, a thin build, and come in various hues, from green to blue.
If you’re searching for a low-cost pet that will keep you company and provide hours of entertainment, a budgie could be the ideal match for you.
Knowing the advantages and disadvantages of having a budgie can help you decide if they would be a good fit for you! Although budgies make excellent pets, it’s essential to do your research before getting one.
Why you should own a budgie (4 pros)
Pro 1: Budgies are friendly and sociable
A budgie, or parakeet, is a small but lively pet bird that might be a good fit if you’re undecided about getting something as big as a parrot.
Most people are frightened of being bitten by larger parrots, but the bite from a budgie is very soft, and their beaks rarely break through the skin.
They will be ecstatic to interact with you and learn new skills if you are kind and gentle.
It’s common knowledge older adults often live longer, healthier lives when they have pets. According to several studies, pet ownership can help reduce tension, blood pressure, and heart rate while also increasing socialization.
It’s no surprise many assisted care homes now allow residents to keep budgies as pets.
Budgies make excellent companions for the elderly because they are tiny, easy to care for, and provide a lot of enjoyment and love. Budgies are social creatures, making them excellent companions for individuals who live alone.
Pro 2: Budgies don’t take up a lot of space
Housing a budgie is relatively simple and doesn’t require a lot of space.
The ideal cage size is only 24 inches high, 36 inches long, and 24 inches wide. This tiny foot space means the cage won’t take up much room in your home.
Besides, you can always move the cage freely within the house. So, space management is very flexible.
Pro 3: Budgies’ cages are easy to set up
If you buy your budgie’s cage from a bird store, they should be able to set things up for you easily.
For your budgie’s foot health, perches should be 1/2 inch in diameter. A busy budgie requires at least two perches that run the width and length of the cage.
There should also be a variety of perches available, such as sisal swings, rope perches, wooden dowels, and pedicure perches to keep your budgie’s beak and nails trimmed.
If you want your budgie to get a good night’s rest, place a swing or perch near the top of their cage.
To decrease the likelihood of your budgie contaminating their food or water, place a perch next to each dish instead of above them.
Pro 4: Budgies are relatively affordable
Budgies cost between $15 and $50, depending on whether you purchase from a breeder, pet store, or adopt one from an animal shelter.
While you will need to buy bird seed and other supplies regularly, the overall cost of owning a budgie is relatively low.
The cost of a cage for your budgie is determined significantly by the size and design of the cage.
A small, basic cage can cost as little as $40, while a larger, more elaborate cage can cost upwards of $200.
A larger cage is required if you have more than one budgie. Always aim for the largest and widest cage you can afford since this will create a joyful and healthy budgie.
A budgies diet should consist of 1/3 bird seed, 1/3 pellets, and 1/3 fresh fruit and veggies with fresh water available all the time.
Budgie bird seed costs about $15 and should last around one month. Feeding pellet budgie food can help provide missing nutrients and cut down on the mess regular bird seed makes.
A 40-pound bag of pellet bird food can cost around $30 and should last a few months.
The initial investment to bring a budgie home will be between $15 and $200. A budgie’s monthly food cost will be around $20.
Why you shouldn’t own a budgie (4 cons)
Con 1: Budgies require a lot of maintenance
Owners should clean their budgie’s cage every day by replacing the paper at the bottom of the cage.
The water dish must be emptied and refilled several times throughout the day, preferably with fresh bottled water instead of city water.
Weekly disinfection of a budgie’s cage interior is also required, which involves taking everything out of the cage, washing it with hot, soapy water, and then rinsing it thoroughly.
Budgies are very messy eaters and are always scattering their empty seed hulls everywhere.
Their cages and the floor around them will need to be vacuumed frequently. Constantly cleaning this mess can become quite frustrating for owners.
Con 2: Budgies have a short lifespan
It is important to remember budgies live only for 8 to 12 years. This means they might not be around for as long as some other pets.
While budgies can live longer if they are well cared for, their shorter lifespan might not make them the best pet for someone who isn’t prepared to deal with the loss of a beloved companion.
Budgies are susceptible to various diseases, and even a tiny shift in room temperature might rapidly trigger an illness.
Bacterial or viral respiratory infections are the most common illnesses and, if not addressed promptly by a veterinarian, can result in death.
Infections can be caused by dirty water or food dish, contaminated bird seed, or contact with other sick birds.
Respiratory infections are not the only health concern for budgies; they are also at risk for liver problems, feather cysts, and tumors.
Con 3: Budgies make a lot of noise
Budgies are not very quiet birds, but they are also not very loud either. They like to chirp and chatter constantly. This can be charming at first, but it can quickly become annoying.
Their average noise level is around 65-70 decibels, with their loudest calls reaching up to 112 decibels.
Most of your budgie’s higher-pitched cries are meant for you as a member of his little flock.
If your apartment has thin walls, or you live close to your neighbors, budgies might not be your best pet. Their constant chirping might bother your neighbors and lead to complaints.
If you want to help reduce your budgie’s noise level, give them lots of toys and perches to keep them entertained. You can also try training your budgie to whistle on cue.
Other considerations when owning a budgie
Give your budgie flight time
Budgies shouldn’t be kept cooped up inside their cages all day. They should be allowed some free flight time for 2 – 3 hours per day outside of their cage.
Always supervise your budgie when out of their cage to prevent accidents. You can set up a play area for your budgie with some toys and perches.
Housing your budgie with another budgie can also help keep them entertained and exercised. Just be sure to gradually and carefully introduce them to avoid any fights.
Beware of toxins
Budgies have very tiny lungs, making them especially susceptible to toxins in the air.
This means that cigarette smoke, cleaning products, aerosols, and other airborne chemicals can harm them.
Even non-stick pans can emit a toxin that can be deadly to budgies, so it’s essential to take care when cooking around them.
Candles and scent diffusers are also bad for budgies. There are also quite a few houseplants that can be lethal to budgies if they ingest them.
Bird-proof your budgie’s room
When setting up the area where you’ll house your budgie, make sure to birdproof it by removing any small objects that your budgie could choke on.
Be careful of loose snags on curtains and upholstery, as you don’t want your budgie to get their foot caught.
You’ll also need to ensure there are no open windows or doors your budgie could escape through.
Any other pets in your home, such as dogs or cats, will need to be supervised when they go near your budgie’s cage.
Handle your budgie with care
Budgies are delicate creatures and can easily become injured. Their bones are very fragile, and their beaks are particularly vulnerable to breakage.
A broken beak can cause a budgie a lot of pain and make it difficult for the bird to eat.
Even seemingly innocuous things, like a ceiling fan, can pose a danger to budgies. They should never be left unsupervised around small children or other pets.
Hospitalization and veterinary care can be expensive for budgies. Because of this, it’s important to have pet insurance that covers avian species in case your budgie gets sick or injured.
Final thoughts
Owning a budgie has pros and cons that potential owners should consider before committing to purchase one.
On the plus side, budgies are very social creatures that enjoy interacting with their human companions.
They are also relatively low maintenance as far as pets go and don’t require a lot of space. There are, however, several downsides to keep in mind.
Budgies have a short lifespan and can be easily injured. They are also rather messy little birds.
Overall, budgies can be delightful companions if you take the time to care for them properly. Just be sure you are prepared for the commitment before bringing one home.