Budgerigars

Family
Budgerigars are small members of the parrot family.

Where they are found in the wild
Budgerigars are native to Australia, where they can be found living in huge flocks.

Where budgerigars live in the wild






Appearance
Budgerigars have slender bodies and long tails. Wild budgerigars have green, black and yellow feathers.

Life Cycle
During mating, sperm passes from the male budgerigar's body into the female. The sperm will make the eggs inside her body grow.
The female begins to lay eggs about a week after mating. She lays from four to six eggs. In the wild, female budgerigars lay their eggs in hollows in trees.The female incubates the eggs by sitting on them to keep them warm. The eggs hatch after about eighteen days.The young are born without feathers and are blind. The female feeds her babies with partly digested food which she brings up from inside her body. After five weeks the young budgerigars have feathers and can fly and look after themselves.

Budgerigars as pets
Housing your budgerigar
Budgerigars like to fly and climb so they should be housed where they can do both. An aviary with wire walls on which they can climb and with space to fly is ideal. If the budgie is kept in a cage it should be in a place where the temperature is about the same at all times and away from draughts.
Tree branches and perches of natural wood in the aviary or cage will help the budgie keep its claws and beak trimmed. Cuttlefish bone is also used by the bird to trim its beak.

Feeding your budgerigar
Pet shops sell a seed mix specially prepared for budgerigars. The birds should also be fed fresh fruit and vegetables such as apple, broccoli and green leafy vegetables. (Note: do not feed your budgie cabbage or lettuce) The budgie should always have fresh drinking water and water in which to take a bath.

Go here to read about choosing a budgie
http://www.petnet.com.au/bird/03.html

Responsible pet ownership
Budgerigars, like most pets, enjoy the company of people and depend on their owners for food, protection and shelter. Before becoming a pet owner think carefully about all the things you will have to do to care for your pet responsibly.

An Australian stamp featuring budgerigars

Acknowledge this source in your bibliography like this:
Budgerigars (2002). [Online], Available: www.kidcyber.com.au

Read more about budgerigars here:

updated July 2006