All about budgies!

25 FUN FACTS ABOUT BUDGIES :

⦁Budgies have a third eyelid that is not usually visible, but that is important for lubricating the eyes and keeping them clear of dirt and debris.

⦁Historically, the budgerigar has gone by a variety of different names in different parts of the world, including the canary parrot, shell parrot, zebra parrot, warbling grass parakeet, and undulated parakeet.

⦁Budgies have a very high resting respiration rate, ranging between 65-85 breaths per minute.

⦁The heart rate of the budgie is also extremely fast and cannot be monitored by listening in the normal way, as it beats over 300 times per minute!

⦁The original budgies were green-yellow in colour, and from this, other colours developed. The second colour was all-yellow, which was bred from a genetic mutation. The first blue budgie wasn’t seen until 1878!

⦁Budgies can move and see out of each eye independently of the other one, which is known as having monocular vision.

⦁A budgie can have up to 3,000 feathers in total across their whole body. ⦁Budgies grind their beaks when they are happy and relaxed, similar to cats and purring!

⦁The bones of budgies (and most other birds that are capable of flight) are hollow, and filled with air sacs rather than bone marrow.

⦁ Budgies have more vertebrae in their necks than humans do, allowing them to swivel their heads up to 180 degrees, or allow them to face backwards! ⦁Budgies can only afford to lose between 10-12 drops of blood before their blood loss becomes fatal.

⦁The skeleton of female budgies gains density during the breeding season, as she stockpiles calcium to support breeding. This can make the female budgie gain around 20% of her bodyweight during this time!

⦁The shells of a budgie’s eggs are covered with pores, which allow oxygen and carbon dioxide to enter and exit the shell.

⦁The patterns of light and the shortening and lengthening of the days tells the female budgie when it is breeding season. Artificial lighting can interfere with this.

⦁In mammals such as humans, our lungs themselves expand and contract as we breathe, as air flows in and out. In budgies, the muscles of the chest cavity itself expands and contracts, to force air in and out.

⦁Budgies do not have a bladder, and so their urine and feces pass out of the same entrance. Budgies do not urinate!

⦁Budgies also poop as often as every twenty minutes!

⦁Budgie’s range of hearing ranges from 400-20,000 Hz, and budgies can remember sequences of sounds, and sometimes mimic them.

⦁Budgies have an incredibly acute vision in terms of the number of images their brains can process at a time; budgies can register over 150 images per second, compared with just 16 for humans!

⦁While there is no guarantee that any given budgie will sing or talk, budgies are among the most vocal of all pet bird species, and most budgies can at least say a few words! They also tend to have a greater vocabulary and clearer voices than most other pet birds, including the cockatoo and macaw.

⦁There are two distinct species of budgies, which are the Australian budgie and the English budgie, which is slightly larger. The English budgie is deliberately bred for the pet trade, while the Australian budgie is more similar to the natural original wild variant of the breed.

⦁English budgies are generally a couple of inches larger than wild Australian budgies, and have larger heads as well as grater plumage around their crown and face.

⦁Budgies were widely thought for many years to be a smallest species of parrot, but in fact another species, called the Parrotlet, is the smallest. For many years, the Parrotlet was not identified as a parrot species at all. Often, there is little difference between the size of a large Parrotlet and a small budgie!

⦁Budgies are a type of parakeet, but as there are so many different types of parakeets in various different sizes, budgies are not always referred to as such.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO MAKE YOUR BUDGIE COMFORTABLE ON MOULTING SEASON?

Here are some things you might want to consider doing from now until you don’t see pinfeathers on your bird any more:

⦁Offer daily baths. Not all budgies will make use of the opportunity but many greatly appreciate taking a splash during their molt. You can try a spray bath as well, using a water sprayer to mist the bird

.⦁Step up the nutrition. There are special molting foods available but you’re fine just increasing the amount of food your budgie is getting a bit. As always, a budgie’s diet should consist of a mix of pellets, fresh veggies, seeds, and some fruit.

⦁ Keep your bird nice and warm. Although budgies come from harsh environments and are used to some hardship, they’re vulnerable during molting. After all, they just have fewer feathers to keep them warm! Make sure there are no drafts and keep the cage far away from A/C units.

⦁ Offer some shelter. Budgies feel vulnerable during their molt. Although they don’t molt all of their feathers at the same time to prevent becoming unable to fly for a time, they will still naturally seek out hiding spots and not come out as much. Try covering part of the cage, for example.

In memory of Mobi ❤︎ 

Stroke and epilepsy in birds !  What are the symptoms of a budgie having a stroke? 

Budgies are fairly hardy, and not difficult to keep if you provide them with proper food, housing, exercise and companionship.  It is possible for a budgie to suffer a stroke?  Fortunately, these are quite rare. According to the Birds Online website, older budgies are more at risk. Knowing signs of a stroke can help you get your budgie to an avian vet for prompt diagnosis and care.

Falling and Vocalization

Your parakeet will suddenly fall from the perch, and may scream out loudly in confusion. According to the Birds Online website, a stroke sometimes happens without any warning when the bird is calm, relaxed or even asleep. After falling off the perch, the bird will lie on the floor of the birdcage and appear unable to move. The Practical Pet Care website advises you to put a soft towel on the floor of the cage, remove or lower the perches to avoid chance of injury and take your budgie to a board-certified avian veterinarian immediately. Do not place a bowl of water next to your parakeet to encourage it to drink; it could flap in and drown.

Your parakeet will suddenly fall from the perch, and may scream out loudly in confusion.

After falling off the perch, the bird will lie on the floor of the birdcage and appear unable to move.

Paralysis

The most frequent symptom of apoplexy is that one side of the bird's body--including toes, foot, leg and wing--appears paralysed, and will hang down limply. Generally only one brain hemisphere is affected, which causes paralysis on the opposite side of the body. The bird will usually be unable to perch as before, and may even be unable to get up. It may use its working wing to flap about on the floor of the cage, or may lie fairly still.

The most frequent symptom of apoplexy is that one side of the bird's body--including toes, foot, leg and wing--appears paralysed, and will hang down limply.

It may use its working wing to flap about on the floor of the cage, or may lie fairly still.

Blindness

The parakeet will be usually be blind in the eye that is on the affected side of the body. It may stagger, lurch and twirl on the bottom of the cage in disorientation. Occasionally, the bird may appear blind in both eyes. Your vet can evaluate the extent of the parakeet's blindness.

The parakeet will be usually be blind in the eye that is on the affected side of the body.

Occasionally, the bird may appear blind in both eyes.

Lack of Appetite

Following a stroke, your budgie will lose its appetite, another reason for taking a budgie that has suffered a stroke directly to an avian vet. Birds have quick metabolisms and can starve to death very quickly. The vet can start emergency feedings, and help determine if the parakeet needs to stay at the veterinary hospital, or be released to your care. If the bird is able to hold its head up, you may be able to feed it at home using soaked or sprouted seeds. According to Birds Online, some parakeets recover fairly well from strokes; for others, the prognosis is poorer. Your vet can help you decide the best course of action for your parakeet.

Following a stroke, your budgie will lose its appetite, another reason for taking a budgie that has suffered a stroke directly to an avian vet.

The vet can start emergency feedings, and help determine if the parakeet needs to stay at the veterinary hospital, or be released to your care.

Symptoms:

Seizures may be mild to severe, partial or generalized, frequent or infrequent; and may involve twitching, paddling or convulsing.

A bird may present a sudden, temporary loss of consciousness and control of motor function

It may appear disoriented and unable to perch.

During a seizure, a bird may vocalize, lose consciousness, fall off its perch, flap its wings uncontrollably and stiffen its body.

A bird may lose consciousness, vocalize and flap its wings uncontrollably.

A partial seizure is characterized by a continuous twitching of a wing or leg.

   Stroke Symptoms  

If your bird displays any sort of neurological problem, it could have been a result of a stroke or seizure. You might find him on the bottom of the cage, appearing disoriented and unable to right himself. He could lose control of his bowels and make odd noises. Your veterinarian must make a diagnosis. If your bird suffered a stroke, the prognosis usually isn't good. If it's a seizure, medication and dietary changes might help your pet.

   Heat Stroke  

Your budgie is far more likely to suffer from heat stroke than a cerebral stroke, especially if he is overweight. Parakeets are sensitive to temperature changes. In hot weather, affected birds pant, experience difficulty balancing and hold their wings out. Call your vet, but relocate your bird to a cooler area and mist him gently with cool -- not cold -- water.

At Home Care

While bird is experiencing periodic seizures, it is best to keep the patient in a smaller cage to prevent injuries when he or she is falling during a seizure. It's also a good idea to cover the floor in and around the cage with some soft padding to further cushion a bird's fall.

Remove any items in your pet's environment that could possibly be causing poisoning (i.e., zinc and lead, any aerosol sprays, toxic cleaning, deodorizing products, etc. etc.)

Bird Chop Ready !

All my birds love chop, but I know my little Mobi will dive to it the second he sees it! He really loves it alot.

My own little buddies !

From left to right :

Choose a bird that looks healthy. Things to look out for include:

⦁ Sociable behaviour. Healthy young budgies will be noisy, playful and alert. A quiet bird perched alone in a cage containing other birds will be ailing. It might be harder to make a judgement if the bird happens to be alone in a cage, (although this is seldom the case in shops and breeders’ aviaries), but you’ll still be able to tell a lethargic, ailing bird from an alert, healthy one.

⦁ Beautiful plumage. There should be no missing or messy feathers, and the bird should look sleek and shiny. Some breeders may clip primary feathers on the young budgies’ wings, so check if this is the case. It won’t do the bird any harm, and the feathers will grow back, but to the untrained eye it may look ‘wrong’.

⦁ Quiet breathing. Budgies are musical chatterboxes, but the noise shouldn’t extend to their breathing. Listen to the budgie when it’s not vocalising – if there is a ‘wheeze’ or a ‘clicking’ sound, it might indicate respiratory problems, possibly air sac mite.

⦁ Clean nostrils and beak. The nostrils should be clear, with no mucous or dried matter clogging them or stuck to the beak. If any nasty stuff is present, it means the bird has a respiratory problem, which is a common cause of death in budgies. It’s contagious too, so any bird sharing the same space may be infected. (This condition is not to be confused with the swollen, scaly cere of a hen budgie with eggs - she’s supposed to look like that!)

⦁ A well-proportioned beak. If it’s crooked, rough looking or oversized, there are hidden health problems.

⦁ The right number of toes. There should be four on each foot, two pointing forwards and two pointing backwards (a formation known as zygodactyl, a feature common to all parrots, and the secret of their great dexterity). Watch the bird perching and climbing – it should excel at these things, and any sign of clumsiness or awkwardness could indicate a deformity or problem. Also, if the legs in general look swollen or more scaly than other budgies you have seen, it might indicate disease.

Keeping Your Budgie Happy!

There is many stuff to say about keeping your bird happy, but a short version of the basic stuff we need to do for our little friends is :

⦁ A suitably sized, well designed and regularly cleaned cage in a warm room (or an aviary with an enclosed area for roosting)

⦁ A well-balanced and varied diet

⦁ Fresh, clean water for drinking and bathing

⦁ Cage and cage accessories for comfort and stimulation

⦁ A stress-free environment (no predatory cats, no all-night lights, no children prodding things into the cage, etc)

⦁ Company – other budgies, or just you (and a mirror for those times when you’re not able to interact with your pet)

Male Or Female ?

For mature budgies it’s pretty easy to recognize the gender! But what about the smaller ones?

Mature female budgies have a light brown/tan cere!

Mature male budgies have a blue cere!

Natural First Aid Products For Birds !

First aid items we shall have at home for out little friends!

⦁ Charcoal – helps flush toxins from the body. The birds instinctively eat it when they don’t feel well. I add charcoal to my grit mix which is available 24/7. It can also be fed to budgies in case of suspected poisoning.

⦁ Apple Cider Vinegar – possesses some amazing health benefits for humans as well as budgies. Adding one tablespoon per gallon to the drinking water for several days helps improve immune systems, guards against bad bacteria and maintains digestive health in the intestines. ACV also acts as an antiseptic by killing germs that cause respiratory problems and promotes healthy mucus flow. I add ACV to drinking water one week each month year around. If you are treating a sick bird increase the amount of ACV by 3-4 times.

⦁ Coconut Oil  – Can be smeared in the legs, feet, beak and cere to smother and kill scaleyface/scaleyleg mites.

⦁ Cornstarch – is a fast and effective way to stop bleeding. Applied topically, it can quickly staunch the flow of blood from a wound or cut.

⦁ Epsom Salt – a little dissolved in drinking water will assist with intestinal tract blockage and reduce diarrhea.

⦁ Garlic Juice – You can buy it commercially prepared or make your own by steeping minced garlic in water then straining the solids. Fresh garlic or garlic juice added to the drinking water will help boost immune systems and increase respiratory health. Garlic is also a natural wormer, and helps to control internal parasites. For fast natural treatment for mites, lice and other external parasites spray under your birds’ wings and around their vents.

⦁ Honey – A great natural antiseptic that will keep wounds clean and free from infection.. and obviously non-toxic if inadvertently eaten by the hen.

⦁ Liquid Calcium - can help an egg-bound hen pass her egg before it is too late. A few drops direct to the beak every hour or two is usually all that is needed, and she is able to pass the egg, avoiding a potentially life threatening condition.Calcium is required to create strong egg shells, and it is also responsible for the contractions that help the egg through the oviduct. Adding liquid calcium to the drinking water in the months leading up to, and during the breeding season, will help the hen build up her reserves.Splayed legs in chicks are often associated with a calcium deficiency. If you catch it early enough administer 2-3 drops direct to the beak each day and the legs will often revert to their correct position.

⦁ Molasses – contains an abundance of nutrients and minerals which can be beneficial to a bird that is lethargic or recovering from illness or stress. Molasses will also help flush toxins if you suspect accidental poisoning or botulism. Caution: Molasses fed in large quantities can cause diarrhea so just add a few drops at a time to the drinking water.

⦁ Oil of Oregano – has recently been studied as a natural antibiotic by commercial poultry farms, especially effective when fed in conjunction with cinnamon.

⦁ Saline Solution – can be used to cleanse eyes and nostrils, as well as cleansing a wound.

⦁ Tea Bags – Cold tea (black or green) is a very effective treatment of diarrhea. Make a cup of tea, similar strength to you would make to drink. When it has cooled use as the sole source as drinking water for several days.

Budgie Healthy Diet !

The best way to keep your budgie healthy and happy with its diet is to balance it with some veggies and fruits daily! Seeds shall not be the only food your bird feeds on because they are too fatty and will create health problems in the long run.

An easy way to make some healthy food for your bird is to make some chop! Use the link below to choose the veggies and fruits you would like to serve to your budgie!

Natural Branches for our little friends !

Do you want to provide the best to your little companion ?

Some easy first steps are :

Take off the plastic perches and perches with no texture.

Provide them with textured perches and natural wood and variety of shapes and sizes.

If you can’t find natural perches at your local stores or internet, you can find a healthy tree and cut some pieces of its branches! 

 CHLORINE

Once you cut them, you shall let them soak in chlorine for 24h then wash them well with clean water! After they dry you can bake them to kill any bacteria that might still be on the branches at 95c.

VINEGAR

Wash them with some water and clean them with vinegar! If you didnt take off the bark then consider baking the branch at 95c also! Once all is done place the branches on direct sunlight for a dew days !