For many families, acquiring a pet means considering a puppy, a kitten, a hamster or maybe a goldfish. Unfortunately, many will forget to consider birds. Birds can be truly wonderful companions. They are beautiful to look at and hear, they are highly sociable creatures and can be much more affectionate that some might think.
Birds commonly accepted into the home as pets include cockatiels, lovebirds, canaries, finches and more. If one is prepared to commit to a larger species, parrots and cockatoos can be incredible choices. However, it is important to remember that the bigger the bird, the larger its required surroundings. If a bird is going to live in a child?s bedroom or be a spot of liveliness in the corner of a kitchen or dining room, it is probably advisable to choose a smaller one. In fact, for a first-time bird owner, one of the best choices may well be a budgie.
Budgies are quite affordable birds and are widely available. They have been bred into many lovely colors. Among the most commonly selected and most recognizable are the green/yellow and blue/white budgies. When purchasing a budgie, some pet shops offer babies that have been hand trained. These will be slightly more expensive than their counterparts but they are birds that have been acclimated to human touch and intervention. This may make them less likely to nip, as birds are prone to do, and may also make them more palatable to younger family members who may be somewhat nervous about interacting with a bird for the first time.
Once the decision has been made to welcome a budgie into the family, it's time to shop for bird supplies. This can be a really fun activity for everyone to do together. Preparing for a pet is a very warm and bonding experience. Bird supplies can be purchased in any number of locations, including acquiring new items from online auction sites, but many families prefer to choose a pet shop where they can benefit from the professional experience and recommendations of staff.
While it's understandable that each family will have a budget for their bird supplies, one place not to skimp is on the cage. Generally, a stainless steel or powder-coated bird cage is the best option. Used cages or cages that have been stored for long periods of time may have chipped paint or even rust. Never put a budgie in a cage that you repaint yourself. It's simply dangerous to the health of the bird. Be sure to buy the largest bird cage that you can afford. Budgies will fly within the confines of the cage and not simply remain perched. They do need room to move.
Having said that, budgies are active pets and this also makes them quite entertaining. They love to climb and think nothing of taking a good look at you while appearing to hang upside down from the top of their cage. For this reason, be sure to include a few perches at different levels.
Purchase the appropriate budgie food and be ready to ensure your bird always has clean, fresh water. Covered food and water dishes or those which hang on the outside of the cage will ensure that the budgie does not soil its diet. Calcium is also important for budgies so it is important to pick up a cuttle bone. Commercial budgie treats are readily available and it is also healthy to supplement your bird?s food with fresh fruit or vegetables such as apples, grapes or even watermelon.
Do not forget bird toys. These can be relatively inexpensive so it is a good idea to rotate the toys. A budgie will become bored if there is no variation. Budgies love to "chatter" at a mirror toy and many enjoy having a swing in the cage. They will also play with toys that have bells or toys that spin, some enjoy climbing ladders and still others prefer wooden bird toys. Keep in mind that budgies will chew at some toys. This is their nature and they should not be punished. Simply be prepared to offer a replacement for a toy that becomes worn.
When all the appropriate bird supplies have been acquired, it's time for the fun of choosing the new addition. While there is no guarantee, some budgies (when ideally cared for) can live in excess of 10 or 12 years. Others will have much shorter life spans for any number of reasons. Make the most of every day with your budgie. They can be such loving companions.
|
