Found a budgie! What should I feed it and why is it so tame?

Hello, and thanks for your question. That's a raptor - a bird of prey. It is a carnivore (meat eater), and should absolutely NOT be kept as a pet. It's a wild animal, and many raptors are protected by law. I recommend touching base with your local university and/or veterinary hospital. They should be able to connect you with a local ornithologist (bird expert) or wildlife rehabilitator, who will best be able to care for this bird. Without knowing more about the bird and being able to examine it, I cannot guide you further. Male and female raptors often look very similar, so I can't tell you which it is from these photos. I suspect it's a juvenile (young bird) since it's not immediately flying away from you - so it may not yet be able to live on its own if you were to simply release it, depending on how long it's been captive. I encourage you to do the right thing for this beautiful wild animal, and make sure it finds its way into the hands of someone who is knowledgeable in the area of raptor care. I hope this helps! All the best to you!

The best solution would be to contact a local wildlife rehabilitator. One in your area specializing in avians should be able to identify it. The bird looks to be healthy, so you've been doing a good job. The rehabber can confirm this then let you know when the bird can be released. Search online, contact a local veterinary clinic or check the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website to find a rehabilitator.

I'm sorry to hear about this! The best thing you can do is purchase/use another unused cage and fill it with food and water and place it in your backyard. If your budgie becomes hungry enough, she may come back to eat, which you can then close the cage and bring her back inside. If you do recapture her, a vet visit is best to check for any injuries. If she doesn't come back, her mate will likely be sad for a while as birds do bond, but if you have other birds, he may do OK. Eventually, adding in a new friend may help as well. It's hard to say if a pet bird would survive well in the wild or not. It greatly depends on the predators around, and the environment and food available.

Thanks for reaching out. Rarely are wild parakeets nice and handleable. If sleeping a lot, might be sick or malnourished. Try offering food, supply heat support. If still lethargic by tomorrow, seek veterinary help at clinic. Good luck.

Hello, the little bird likely fell out of his nest. If it hasn't been too long, you can take it back to where you got him to see if his nest and mother is still there, which would be best case scenario. Otherwise, it may take him some time to learn to fly on his own and you'll have to wait until his flight feathers grow fully. In the interim, you may continue to feed him baby food, or you may start to offer seeds, fruits, and veggies. Hope this helps and best of luck.

Hello and congratulations on your new friend, King! Parakeets make wonderful pets, and they are a great first bird for a new bird owner. It sounds like you have everything in order, but I'd definitely get King some toys sooner rather than later as parakeets do require mental stimulation - they are very intelligent! Taming will take some time and patience. Using a perch to entice him to step up can be a good place to start, though I recommend waiting a few days to allow him to adjust to his new surroundings first. Yummy treats can be helpful - dried fruits and veggies are a good choice. Here are some good tips on taming your parakeet: http://www.budgiekeet.com/taming.html Good luck, and I hope King adjusts well! :)

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