Budgie Basics Archives - The Budgie Academy

How to Quarantine a New Budgie

Isabel Frabotta — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 15:00:00 +0000

When bringing a new budgie into your flock, it’s critical to plan for a quarantine period before allowing your birds to meet. As discussed in our article on the topic, there are several good reasons to quarantine your incoming budgie. Most importantly, the practice helps safeguard the health of both your current flock and your new arrival.

But what exactly does a quarantine entail? What rules should you follow? Our quick checklist below will walk you through the basics of quarantine for a new budgie.

Keep your new bird in a separate room.

It’s critical to maintain physical separation between your new budgie and your existing flock. This keeps your flock from being exposed to the droppings, feathers, and dust from your new parrot, which could all potentially carry and transmit disease.

Use only designated equipment.

Be sure to use clean bowls, toys, perches and a cage for your new parrot. While this might seem obvious, it’s best to be on guard against mistakes. For example, if both your new bird and existing flock are using similar-looking food and water dishes, be careful not to mix them up. Your new parrot’s items shouldn’t mingle with those from your existing flock during quarantine.

Wash your hands.

Always wash your hands between working with your existing and new parrot to prevent carrying contaminants between them. And with that said…

Always handle your existing flock first!

This way, if you accidentally didn’t wash your hands well or have something on your shirt, you will be bringing contaminants from your existing “clean” flock to your new bird, not the other way around, which is more dangerous.

Observe for signs of illness.

Watch your new parrot carefully for any signs of illness. Remember, your incoming bird is probably nervous around you, so they’ll likely try to conceal any indicators they’re unwell. Observe them carefully, and note down anything unusual so you can bring it up at your upcoming new bird exam with your avian vet.

Maintain quarantine for at least 30 days.

30 days is generally enough time to make sure your new budgie has no apparent illness and to get them seen by an avian vet for their new bird exam. New members of The Budgie Academy flock are quarantined for 45 days to reduce risk even further.

Wrapping up

If you haven’t already done so, check out our article on why we quarantine to get a run-down on this important practice. Also, if your incoming flock member seems nervous in their new home, read our piece on things you can do with a fearful budgie to help them settle in!

Don’t forget: The Budgie Academy is on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook! Join our social media flock so you don’t miss out when we post new content.

Written by Isabel Frabotta

Isabel holds a B.S. in Animal Science from Cornell University, where she studied physiology, nutrition, endocrinology and genetics. She is a writer and graphic designer who uses both to improve education around animal welfare and care.

Edited by Dr. Amy Zhao, PhD.

The post How to Quarantine a New Budgie appeared first on The Budgie Academy.

Why Do We Quarantine New Budgies?

Isabel Frabotta — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Quarantining a new bird can be a hectic time for owners, necessitating separate equipment, training, and sometimes even a change of clothes. But despite the extra work, a carefully executed quarantine period is one of the best risk reduction practices we have in our toolbelt.

Quarantine isn’t able to catch everything, as some diseases have extremely long incubation times. But for some of the most common illnesses, it can be a highly effective way to prevent unintentional spread. For example, when The Budgie Academy flock member Callie was first brought home, she tested positive for avian gastric yeast. She was subsequently treated and cleared in quarantine before being released to mingle, preventing the yeast from spreading to other flock members.

Read on to learn more about the basics of this critical flock safety practice.

What is quarantine?

Quarantine is a process where we keep an individual animal or group of animals in isolation upon arrival.

Broadly speaking, quarantine is a risk reduction process where a new animal is kept separate from others. This allows us to observe their behavior, get their health checked, and ensure they do not have any dangerous, infectious diseases before allowing them to mingle.

Why do we quarantine?

When new birds come in, they may carry infectious diseases which could spread to the rest of the flock.

By quarantining first, we reduce the risk of a new bird with an illness spreading it to others, which could result in a mass flock illness. Many infectious avian diseases don’t have cures, so something as serious as a flock-wide infection can’t always be reversed with veterinary care. Treating a whole flock is also extremely difficult, time-consuming, and expensive.

How long do we quarantine?

I usually recommend a quarantine period of at least 30 days for incoming birds.

This gives owners enough time to catch any common treatable illnesses. In The Budgie Academy flock, the quarantine period is usually extended to 45 days in an effort to reduce risk even further. It can take budgies quite a bit of time to settle into a new home and be willing to show signs of illness. It can also take an owner a while to know their new bird well enough to recognize signs of sickness.

When do we release them from quarantine?

There are a few criteria a new bird should meet before being released from quarantine.

During the quarantine period, the new bird should get their initial health exam by an avian veterinarian. They are ready to leave quarantine when

45 days have passed,
They have completed any necessary medical treatments, and
They have been declared healthy by the avian vet to join the existing flock.

If their treatment plan takes longer than 45 days, the quarantine should be extended until these criteria is met.

Wrapping up

Performing a proper quarantine period is extremely important to keeping both your new bird and existing flock safe. Now that you know the basics, you might want to learn a little more about making your new addition feel at home. Check out our article on things to do with a fearful budgie to help them settle in smoothly.

Don’t forget: The Budgie Academy is on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook! Join our social media flock so you don’t miss out when we post new content.

Written by Isabel Frabotta

Edited by Dr. Amy Zhao, PhD.

The post Why Do We Quarantine New Budgies? appeared first on The Budgie Academy.

Why You Should Weigh Your Budgie

Isabel Frabotta — Tue, 10 Jan 2023 16:00:00 +0000

This post may contain affiliate links, which means The Budgie Academy may receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Read the full disclosure here.

Weighing your budgie regularly is a quick, easy, stress-free, and non-invasive way to monitor your budgie’s health status at home. When performed properly, there are a couple key health insights you can glean from a simple weigh-in routine.

Why should I weigh my budgie?

Changes in a budgie’s weight can indicate health conditions that may not be visible to the naked eye.

Birds are experts at hiding illnesses. Although this may help wild budgies avoid looking weak to predators, hidden ailments can prove dangerous in our home aviaries. Even with careful obseration, it’s not always possible to tell when a budgie is sick from looks alone.

This is where weighing comes in handy. A bird that is feeling under the weather may experience decreased appetite and subsequent weight loss. If you are weighing your budgie regularly, this weight loss should be a red flag alerting you to contact your avian vet.

A budgie’s weight can also give you insight into their reproductive status. A budgie coming into breeding mode will gain weight in their reproductive tract, along with exhibiting other courting, nesting, and mating behaviors.

Let’s use flock member FitC as an example. She usually weighs 34-35g in the fall and winter, but in the spring and summer breeding season, she weighs 37g. If she’s actively forming an egg, her weight will rapidly increase up to 39-40g. And if she hits 40-41g, we can reliably predict that she will lay an egg within 12-24 hours.

How do I weigh my budgie?

A combination of consistency and positive reinforcement is crucial for developing a weigh-in routine.

Ideally, you should weigh your budgie at a similar time every day (e.g., in the morning before breakfast). This will help reduce minor fluctuations due to food and water weight.

Additionally, with consistent, positive reinforcement, you can teach your budgie to step onto the scale as a trick. This will ensure the weighing process is as quick and stress-free as possible. If you’re new to weighing your budgie, these scales are a great starting point.

Wrapping up...

Weighing your budgie is a simple way to keep an eye on their health. To learn more about the importance of routine veterinary care, check out our article on wellness exams. And don’t forget to follow us on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook so you never miss out on new posts!

Written by Isabel Frabotta

Edited by Dr. Amy Zhao, PhD.

The post Why You Should Weigh Your Budgie appeared first on The Budgie Academy.

How to Keep a Budgie Warm in Winter

Isabel Frabotta — Tue, 13 Dec 2022 16:00:00 +0000

When it comes to safety and comfort, it’s not enough to simply know what temperature range is optimal for your budgie’s environment. There are many other factors to take into consideration, including whether your chosen heat sources are safe for use around birds. Follow along as we answer common questions you might have about keeping your budgie warm!

What temperature range is safe for budgies?

65-75°F is a pretty comfortable temperature for most budgies.

They can, however, still do well in lower temperatures of 55°F+. If the temperature in your home dips below that, it’s definitely time to think about some bird-safe heating. Not all human heating solutions are bird-safe, so read labels carefully and contact companies if necessary to get more information.

Can budgies tolerate sudden temperature changes?

Sudden, large changes in temperature can be dangerous for budgies and should be avoided.

Budgies are nomadic parrots originally hailing from the semi-arid regions of Australia where temperatures fluctuate widely from near-freezing to extremely hot. However, these changes are usually gradual throughout the day and not acute, sharp changes.

Should I add extra insulation to my home to keep my budgies warm?

If they aren’t already, make sure your windows in particular are well insulated.

A poorly insulated window can allow warm air to leak out and cold air to leak in. Most home improvement stores sell pieces of foam specifically for this purpose. Tape the foam to the bottom of the window and shut the window on it, creating a seal. The foam should be hidden by the window so your bird cannot access it. This will help prevent drastic temperature changes and help you save on your utility bills which is good for your wallet and the environment.

Is it dangerous to expose a budgie to drafts?

It’s best to avoid having a draft blowing on or around your budgie.

Cold air in motion carries heat away from the body, so a space that would normally be warm when the air is still can actually become quite cold once the air starts moving. Try not to have your birds right in front of a window, and as mentioned earlier, insulate your windows and doors to prevent drafts of cold air from entering your home.

What heating solutions are not bird safe?

Any heaters that require the burning of gas or fuel are not bird-safe.

Many electric space heaters also cannot be used because a Teflon coating is applied to their internal parts to prevent dust accumulation. These coatings are sometimes burned off gradually over time, but it’s hard to know how long this takes and/or how old your heater is, so it’s wise to avoid these types of heaters altogether.

Are oil radiators safe to use around budgies?

Oil-based heaters are generally considered bird-safe because the heating elements are not exposed and they usually don’t contain Teflon.

However, it is critical that you check with the manufacturer to be sure! Some of these heaters also have a burn-in period, so make sure to read the manual carefully to see if that is the case. It may need to have that burn-in period elsewhere before it can be used safely in your home. They can still become quite hot to the touch depending on the setting so weigh that factor carefully. If it is too hot too touch the back of your hand to for a few seconds, it’s too hot for your bird to land on.

This is the one we have been using in my office where the budgies are for the last two years. I called the company Pelonis and they said there is no Teflon in the heater. When I first got it, I ran it on max settings on the porch for 12 hours before bringing it inside so burn off any other potential coating on it.

1,500-Watt Oil-Filled Radiant Electric Space Heater with Thermostat

Are ceramic heaters safe to use around budgies?

Ceramic heaters can be safe but need to be kept out of reach to prevent burns.

Ceramic heating elements get very hot to the touch, so they must be used in a way where birds cannot physically touch them because landing on them or touching them can result in burns. Some ceramic heaters can also contain Teflon so we would recommend calling the manufacturer to be sure.

Can I use heated panels or perches with my budgies?

Heated panels that can be mounted on the side of a cage are a viable option for providing additional heat.

Before using a panel in your bird’s cage, plug it in for several hours and feel it with your hand–it should be warm but not extremely hot to the touch. Devices should be built with a temperature regulator so that they only heat up to a certain temperature but they can potentially malfunction in rare occurrences. These are safest mounted next to a medium length perch so birds can scoot away if it malfunctions and overheats. On the other hand, heated perches pose more of a risk to your bird and so is less ideal. If the perch overheats when you aren’t around (e.g., the middle of the night), your bird may not be able to get away easily and could sustain burns.

Do budgies need a certain amount of humidity?

Most homes range 40-60% humidity and is ideal but budgies do well even outside of this humidity range.

Budgies are a species from the semi-arid regions of Australia and so their biology prepares them for a much drier environment and higher water loss to their environment than the rainforest species like conures and macaws. As a result, they do well in the typical 40-60% humidity range but continue to do well even outside of this range.

Now that you know how to keep your budgie warm during these chilly months, check out our other articles at The Budgie Academy to learn more about your bird and their care requirements. And don’t forget to follow us on TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram so you never miss out on new content!

Written by Isabel Frabotta

Edited by Dr. Amy Zhao, PhD.

The post How to Keep a Budgie Warm in Winter appeared first on The Budgie Academy.

Should I Add a Nest Box for my Budgies?

Dr. Amy Zhao — Tue, 15 Nov 2022 15:00:00 +0000

This post may contain affiliate links, which means The Budgie Academy may receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Read the full disclosure here.

What is a nest box?

Budgies are cavity nesters so rather than building nests from sticks and other debris, they find existing tree hollows which they scrape out to nest in. In captivity, nest boxes are wood or plastic boxes with a small hole that resembles a nesting cavity and is used for breeding budgies. Remember, budgies are highly nomadic seasonal breeders, meaning that they are constantly on the move in search of food and only settle down to breed during the short period when rain is abundant and food is plentiful. This is typically a short window of a few weeks and once the food and water is gone, the budgies move on.

Do Budgies Need a Nestbox?

Generally, no.

Do you need to add a nest box for your budgies? In general, the answer is no. This rule also applies to all enclosed spaces like snuggle huts, fuzzy tents, coconut huts, and any toys that can be hollowed out to form a nest-like cavity. Budgies only use nest boxes during the breeding season and sleep out on perches at all other times. In fact, improperly adding nest boxes can actually lead health dangers for your female budgies.

Nest Boxes Can Hurt Your Budgies!

Several different factors determine whether or not a female budgie decides to be receptive to mating with a male partner or to lay eggs. Length of daylight, presence of a mate, stable availability of food and water, vocalization by neighboring mating pairs, presence of “rain” and availability of a nesting site all play major roles.

Because of this, a typical pet budgie should not have a nest box or any other enclosed space (snuggle huts, fuzzy tents, coconut huts) installed in their cage year round because it can trigger the unwanted activation of their reproduction pathways and hormonal behaviors. In female budgies, this means it could trigger their bodies to start producing and laying eggs which have many health implications. Females can also fight over these nesting sites vigorously if there is only one and multiple individuals are interested in the box.

When should I add a nest box?

There are only two reasons to add a nest box for budgies–(1) Breeding by professionals or (2) intentional reproductive management (allowing females to sit on infertile eggs/dummy eggs to stop her further laying). In both cases, boxes are added strategically for only a few weeks at specific times of the year and withdrawn outside of breeding season.

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Choosing the Perfect Travel Carrier for Your Budgie

Dr. Amy Zhao — Tue, 08 Nov 2022 15:00:00 +0000

This post may contain affiliate links, which means The Budgie Academy may receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Read the full disclosure here.

Aside from their main cage, budgies also need a separate travel cage that is reliable, sturdy, and safe so that we can transport them outside for sunlight, take them to the vet, transport them in the car if necessary. Travel cages and carriers are very different from normal cages. They have specific mechanisms built in so that the cage cannot come apart under its own weight and cannot accidentally slide open. Here is how to choose a great travel cage for your budgies with all of the necessary safety features.

What To Look For First

For budgies, it is CRUCIAL to find a carrier of the right bar spacing of 3/8″-0.5″ and no larger. Incorrect bar spacings could result in a bird squeezing out and flying away.
Travel cages and carriers will have zippers or special locks that hold the door securely in place and cannot be reached from the inside of the cage.
Avoid any cage that has sliding doors with no locking mechanism.
Travel cages should be made of a safe material such as powder-coated wrought iron or plastic/sturdy fabric.

Two Kinds of Travel Cages/Carriers

Once you’ve found some carriers that fit all of the above safety criteria, then think about how you plan to use your travel carrier. Is it for a short trip to the vet or for taking your budgie out for some sun?

There are different ways to classify carriers but one of the easiest way to classify them is by function into filtered and unfiltered travel cages.

Filtered carriers block ultraviolet B (UVB) light from reaching your budgie, meaning they will not be able to receive any of the vitamin D3 benefits from being taken outside in that carrier. These are ideal for colder temperatures because they restrict the air flow more so they will likely make more sense for a short trip to the vet. This also means that they can heat up quickly in warmer temperatures so use with caution!

Unfiltered carriers allow for the light to pass directly through the cage bars and reach the bird, giving them access to UVB for vitamin D3 synthesis. These are ideal for taking your budgie outside to get some wind and sunlight and better to use in warmer temperatures to allow for better airflow.

My Favorite Travel Carriers

Looking for a new carrier for your budgie? Here are a few of my favorites to help you choose!

This is my go-to carrier for taking my budgies on short car trips to the vet. It’s light-weight, easy to carry, and easy to clean. The perch it comes with is a little large for budgies to hang onto while being carried so I recommend wrapping it to give it a bit more grip.

Link: Prevue Pet Products Soft Sided Bird Travel Carrier with Perch Small, Multicolor

This soft-sided parrot carrier is super spacious when used with our smaller parrots like budgies but provides good airflow from the two mesh sides. It might be worth it to change out the perch to a smaller one that is easier to grip. It also has flaps to darken the space to help reduce the stress of transport.

Link: Bird Carrier with Shade Cover

This is my favorite budgie carrier for taking the birds out for some sun. It is pretty heavy duty and therefore it’s not very light but it does have all of the security features I’m looking for in a travel carrier including solid door locks, stainless steel bowls, and a sturdy build that won’t accidentally come apart when you pick it up. It also is one of the few with 1/2″ bar spacing that is safe for budgies.

Link: Prevue Pet Products Travel Carrier for Birds, Black

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Are Budgies Parrots, Parakeets, or Both?

Isabel Frabotta — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 15:00:00 +0000

A Common Point of Confusion

You may have heard people refer to budgies as parrots, parakeets, or both. Is one term better or more accurate than the other? To answer this question, we first have to understand what “parrot” really means.

Parrot: A scientific definition

Scientists classify animals according to a system called Linnaean taxonomy, named after the zoologist Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778). In this taxonomy, there is a seven-tiered hierarchy of classification. From largest to smallest, these tiers are kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species. Animals are grouped in these categories according to their evolutionary relationships and physical characteristics.

All birds are grouped together in the class Aves. This class is broken down into multiple orders, one of which is Psittaciformes. All birds within order Psittaciformes are parrots! They have several defining characteristics, like curved beaks and zygodactyl feet (two toes pointing backwards, two pointing forward).

Where Do Budgies Come In?

The order Psittaciforme is broken down even further into three superfamilies. These are:

1.) Strigopoidea (the New Zealand parrots, including the kakapo and kea),

2.) Cacatuoidea (including the cockatoos and cockatiels),

3.) and Psittacoidea (macaws, conures, budgerigars, and many more).

Psittacoidea is by far the largest superfamily within order Psittaciforme. Of the roughly 400 species of parrots, over 350 fall within this superfamily.

Because budgerigars (A.K.A. budgies) fall within the order Psittaciforme, and so you can confidently tell your friends that your beloved pet budgies are parrots. To get even more specific, budgies are classified as having the genus Melopsittacus and species Undulatus. “Melo” is from the word “melodious”. “Psittacus” refers to their status as part of the parrot or “psittacine” classification. “Undulatus” is from the word “undulating”.

Parrot vs Parakeet

Finally, what does parakeet mean? It’s actually not a taxonomic term, but rather an umbrella term that refers to a subset of parrots with the same general features: small, slender bodies and long tails. Besides budgies, other types of parakeets include conures and Indian ring-necked parakeets. So budgies are a type of parakeet and parakeets are a subtype of parrot.

To sum it all up, budgies are a type of parakeet and all parakeets are parrots. Although parakeet is a slightly less formal, more specific term. To remember how everything relates, it may help to use this drink metaphor: if “parrot” is equivalent to “beverage” (a broad, inclusive term), then “parakeet” is like “soda” (more specific) and “budgie” is like “Coca-Cola” (the most specific).

Now you know how budgies, parrots, and parakeets are all related. But there’s so much more to learn! Be sure to check out our other articles on The Budgie Academy website, and follow us on social media to stay up-to-date on everything budgie.

Literature Cited

Joseph, Leo, et al. “A Revised Nomenclature and Classification for Family-Group Taxa of Parrots (Psittaciformes).” Zootaxa, vol. 3205, no. 1, 2012, p. 26., https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3205.1.2.

Written by Isabel Frabotta

Edited by Dr. Amy Zhao, PhD.

The post Are Budgies Parrots, Parakeets, or Both? appeared first on The Budgie Academy.