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Related Articles & Questions
- Care Sheets
Parakeet Care: Your Complete Guide to Budgie Food, Habitat & Health
Learn how to care for parakeets (budgies), recommended diet and habitat setup. Find the right food, supplies and equipment at your neighborhood Petco.
Updated on October 23rd, 2025
- Food & Nutrition
Bird Food & Nutrition Guide for Pet Parents
Learn some quick tips for getting your fussy bird to eat full and varied diet that could include birdseed, fruits and vegetables.
Updated on July 17th, 2026
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How to Care for a Sun Conure: Food, Habitat, Health & Behavior
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Keep Your Pet Bird Healthy: Prevent & Identify Infectious Diseases
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- Health & Wellness
Parakeet Breeding: What Pet Parents Should Know
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- Training & Behavior
New to parakeets? Essential care tips for first-time owners.
Parakeets, also called Budgerigars, are small members of the parrot family and they can become good mimics. The average adult size is 7 inches long, head to end of tail. The average life span is between 10 to 20 years with proper care. A well-balanced Parakeet diet consists of: Specialized pellets should make up 60-70% of diet, fresh vegetables and fruits and small amounts of fortified seeds Clean, fresh, filtered, chlorine-free water, changed daily. Do not feed birds: avocado, fruit seeds, chocolate, caffeine or alcohol; it can cause serious medical conditions. Avoid sugar and high fat treats. Things to remember when feeding your Parakeet: Fresh food and water should always be available. Vegetables and fruits not eaten within a few hours should be discarded. Remember, treats should not exceed 10% of total food intake. Housing Parakeets acclimate well to average household temperatures, not to exceed 80°F; be cautious of extreme temperature changes. The habitat should area that is well-lit and away from drafts. A habitat approximately 18"W x 18"D x 18"H, with metal bars spaced no greater than 1-2" apart, makes a good home for one Parakeet. A flight habitat is strongly recommended. It is best to provide the largest habitat possible. Perches should be at least 4" long and 3-8" in diameter; a variety of perch sizes to exercise feet and help prevent arthritis is recommended. Perches should be at least 4" long and 3-8" in diameter; a variety of perch sizes to exercise feet and help prevent arthritis is recommended. A metal grate over the droppings tray will keep the bird away from droppings; line the droppings tray with habitat paper or appropriate substrate for easier cleaning. To avoid contamination, do not place food or water containers under perches. Parakeets can be kept alone to bond with pet parent or in pairs to bond with each other. Different birds she not be housed together. Normal Behavior Parakeets are talkers, but their little voices are sometimes hard to hear. Active and need daily time out of their habitats to interact with family. Keep in pairs if unable to devote daily interaction time. Provide foraging toys, which provide important mental stimulation. Housing Maintenance Clean and disinfect the habitat and perches regularly; replace substrate or habitat liner weekly or more often as needed. Replace perches, dishes, and toys when worn or damaged; rotate new toys into the habitat regularly. Ensure that there are no habitat parts or toys with lead, zinc or lead-based paints or galvanized parts as these can cause serious medical issues if ingested by your bird. Do not use a lot of cleaning agents around your bird a natural cleaner. Grooming & Hygiene Provide filtered, chlorine-free, lukewarm water regularly for bathing; remove the water when done. As an alternative, mist the bird with water. Clipping flight feathers is not necessary, but when done correctly it can help prevent injury or escape; consult an avian veterinarian on what is best for your bird. Nails should be trimmed by a qualified person to prevent injury to the bird. Signs of a Healthy Animal: Active, alert, and sociable Eats and drinks throughout the day Dry nares and bright, dry eyes Beak, legs and feet normal in appearance Clean, dry vent Smooth, well-groomed feathers Common Health Issues Chlamydiosis: Appetite loss, fluffed feathers, nasal discharge, green stool. Seek immediate avian veterinary attention. Diarrhea: Fecal portion of stool is not formed. Multiple causes from diet change to internal parasites. Consult with an avian veterinarian and ensure proper diet. Feather plucking: Bird plucks own feathers; may be due to boredom, poor diet or other illness. Consult your veterinarian and relieve boredom with attention, new toys or new space. Mites (scaly face and leg disease): White deposits on eyes, beak, legs, and feet. Consult your veterinarian. Red Flags Beak swelling or accumulations Fluffed, plucked, or soiled feathers Sitting on floor
Updated on September 24th, 2025
- Vet Q & A
Found injured baby bird that can't fly. What should I feed it?
It looks like it may indeed be of the Warbler species. These birds typically eat insects, so small crickets or mealworms would be recommended. Ideally, you should contact a local wildlife rehabilitator for assistance. A rehabber will have the knowledge and experience to give the bird the best chance at eventual release.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
- Health & Wellness
My budgie is sick and tired. How to care for her at home, no vet?
If you think she is losing weight and malnourished then you should re-evaluate her diet. Birds do not do well on an all seed diet so, if seeds are the majority of her diet you need to change that. I suggest using Lafeber's foods. Pellets, Nutriberries, Avicakes. https://www.amazon.ca/s?k=lafeber+parakeet&crid=25UA8PCK2FUTD&sprefix=lafeber%2Caps%2C171&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_6_7 Lafeber also has excellent articles on their website regarding health, nutrition, training, how to switch diets properly, etc. https://lafeber.com/pet-birds/ Lafeber diets are perfectly balanced for birds but since she is under the weather now I would add in this multivitamin and a probiotic. https://www.amazon.ca/Nekton-201150-Nekton-S-Multi-Vitamin-Birds/dp/B0002DILTM/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=nekton+bird&qid=1588519306&sr=8-1 https://www.amazon.ca/Nekton-208050-Nekton-Biotic-Bird-Probiotic-Birds/dp/B01CZUO7VK/ref=sr_1_9?keywords=nekton+bird&qid=1588519306&sr=8-9 Hope this helps. Best wishes.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
- Vet Q & A
I found an unharmed baby bird. What should I do with the fledgling?
Contact the local veterinary clinic. Ask if the have contact information for a local wildlife rehabilitator. If you can get the bird to a rehabber, it will have an excellent chance at eventual release. House sparrows eat seeds and grains. In the meantime, you can offer a seed mix including millet and sunflower seed. Some moistened dry dog food can also be offered.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
- Health & Wellness
Why is my bird weak and sleepy when my other birds are active?
Thanks for reaching out. This birds should be isolated from others and placed in a warm incubator like environment (80-85 F). A veterinary visit is recommended as soon as possible as it appears very ill. Remove perches and allow to sit on a soft towel. Ensure food and water are within reach. Good luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
