The Basics:

Parakeets are one of the most popular kinds of birds to keep as pets. Compared to other birds, Parakeets are generally easy to care for, but still require lots of attention, due to their active and curious nature. These playful birds bond well with their owners and may even learn to talk over time. Parakeets can be kept individually, in pairs, or in same sex groups. However, a Parakeet kept alone will bond with humans more easily than multiple Parakeets, but requires more attention from humans to remain healthy and happy. Parakeets will do fine as single pets if given enough attention by their human companions. However, if an owner’s schedule makes it difficult to give this sociable little bird enough attention, the Parakeet should be kept in pairs or larger groups. Same sex Parakeets tend to get along, and opposite sex pairs may not mate if they aren’t provided with a nesting box.

Cage:

A single Parakeet should have a rectangular cage that measures at least 28” long by 24” wide by 36” tall. This will give the active little bird sufficient room for exercise, though larger is always better. The Parakeet will use every inch of his cage for exercise and fun. For a pair of Parakeets, the cage size should be almost doubled.  Spacing between the bars should be no wider than 3/8”. Parakeets love to climb bars and explore. This width prevents them from getting stuck, but also from escaping.

CAUTION

In most cases, more space is more desirable for birds. However, when increasing the size of a Parakeet’s cage, the bird’s human companion must be careful to maintain a safe (narrow) space between the bars. The bars of a cage have to be narrow enough to prevent a bird from sticking his head in between. Bars that are spaced too far apart for the bird’s size can result in serious and even fatal injuries.

Positioning The Cage:

The sociable Parakeet will flourish when his cage is positioned in a family room or other area where there is a lot of activity.  However, it’s important to provide the bird with a sense of security by placing his cage in an area that is not in the direct traffic path of his human companions. Ideally the cage should be placed with a wall near two of its sides, so no family member can walk all the way around it. Areas exposed to direct sunlight or drafts should be avoided when choosing a spot for a bird’s cage. Any place in or near a kitchen should also be off-limits, since smoke from cooking and fumes from nonstick cookware can prove can cause serious, even fatal, complications for a bird. A Parakeet’s cage should not be positioned in an area that has wide temperature fluctuations.

Playthings:

Parakeets need a variety of toys that challenge them mentally and physically. Perches and climbing toys work well to keep Parakeets active, while toys that include or dispense food appeal to their natural instincts to work for food. Wooden, rawhide or lava toys give Parakeets a method of trimming their beaks if necessary. Multiple toys in a cage at once and/or rotating toys on a weekly basis prevent boredom and encourage play. A birdbath not only helps Parakeets stay clean and well groomed, but bathing is also fun for many birds. Since a Parakeets is small, his human companion should make sure that no toy has small openings where the bird’s tiny head can get caught.

Perches:

A variety of perches of differing textures with widths around ½” in diameter should be placed in a Parakeet’s cage. Wood and concrete perches will work. Branches from outside trees should not be used, since they can contain harmful parasites or traces of pesticide. A perch should be placed in front of, but not above, food and water dishes.

Play Time Outside The Cage:

With some extra precautions and careful attention, a Parakeet can be let outside of his cage, whether it has clipped or unclipped wings. For unclipped Parakeets, providing a large cage with ample room for flying is the safest route, but Parakeets can really enjoy a limited amount of time flying freely.  The most important thing to remember is that all doors, windows, and other escape routes must remain shut while the bird is out of the cage. Additionally, a room should be thoroughly bird-proofed, with electrical cords, choking hazards and other potential dangers covered or removed all together. Since Parakeets are very curious animals, they should be monitored at all times when outside of the cage to keep them out of trouble. Glass, such as mirrors, windows, and even picture frames, should be covered or removed.

Other pets, particularly dogs and cats, should also never be allowed in the room with a Parakeet, as they regard birds as prey. When letting them out of the cage, however, the same precautions should be taken at the floor level or any other area they have access too, as with a unclipped Parakeet. Small and hard-to-reach hiding spots, such as under a couch or chair, should also be blocked or eliminated.

Grooming:

Consult veterinarian or literature about trimming nails and possibly flight feathers.

Bathing:

Provide a shallow bowl of chlorine-free water for supervised bathing. Also mist the bird with chlorine-free water. Bath and mist water must be lukewarm to room temperature. Avoid drafts. Remove bath when finished. A regular bath is essential for a Parakeet to keep his feathers and skin in good condition.

Diet:

A diverse diet is a crucial part of a Parakeet’s well- being. Pellets may make up 75% of a healthy diet, and 15% can be made up of vegetables with the remaining 10% seeds. (Fruit should be offered in small quantities only because of its high sugar and calorie content.) Parakeets may prefer certain seeds to others, and may pick them out, but as long as their diet is varied with other foods, they will still obtain the proper nutrients. This pickiness, however, is the primary reason Parakeets cannot feed on seed alone. Produce should be rinsed, dried and cut into appropriately sized pieces before being offered to this bird. It may take some time for a Parakeet to try a new food, but they will eventually enjoy a diverse variety of meals. Foods that are “bad” for humans, such as foods with a lot of fat, calories, and sodium, are also bad for birds and should be avoided altogether; a little too much fat or a few too extra calories can have a drastic impact on a bird’s small frame. Avocados and raw onions, beans and potatoes are also potentially harmful to birds. However, cooked beans and potatoes can be good treats if given in small quantities. Food, especially produce, should be replaced at least twice a day, even if a food bowl looks untouched. Fresh chlorine-free water should also be constantly available and monitored to ensure freshness and cleanliness. Parakeets should also be given a cuttlebone to keep their beaks in good shape. Provide additional calcium i.e. cuttlebone during egg laying.

A Note About Water:

All water given to birds for drinking, as well as water used for misting, soaking or bathing must be 100% free of chlorine and heavy metals.  (Not all home water filtration systems remove 100% of the chlorine and heavy metals from tap water, so check your system's specifications before using it to filter water for your pet.) We recommend that you use unflavored bottled drinking water or bottled natural spring water and never untreated tap water. Do not use distilled water, which can cause severe medical problems, since it lacks minerals that are essential to important body functions.