Budgerigar (Budgie) — breed guide

At a glance

Group

small parrot

Size

Toy

Weight

0.03–0.04 kg (0–0 lb)

Life span

7–12 years

Coat

Sleek feathers in green, blue, yellow and white mutations

Living with a Budgerigar (Budgie)

• High energy — needs real exercise every day, not a stroll.
• Light grooming — a brush now and then.
• Barely sheds.
• Quick to learn.
• Vocal when there is a reason.
• Good with children.
• Not always easy with other dogs — introduce carefully.
• Not safe to keep in a house with a cat.
• Suits apartment living, given its daily walks.
• A reasonable choice for a first-time owner.
• Average heat tolerance.
• Feels the cold.

Temperament

Cheerful · Social · Chatty

Health to watch

• Tumours
• Iodine deficiency
• Scaly face mites

Owner-logged information shared via Leash Life is not veterinary advice; ask your vet about screening for these.

Did you know

A budgie named Puck holds the record vocabulary of any bird: over 1,700 words.

Questions people ask

Is a Budgerigar (Budgie) good with kids?

Generally yes. Budgerigar (Budgie)s are usually good with children when raised with them and given their own quiet space.

Can a Budgerigar (Budgie) live in a house with a cat?

Not safely. Cat saliva carries bacteria that are lethal to birds, so any scratch or bite — however minor it looks — is a same-day emergency. Keeping both means keeping them genuinely separate.

How much exercise does a Budgerigar (Budgie) need?

An hour or more of proper exercise every day.

Can a Budgerigar (Budgie) handle hot weather?

About average — use normal hot-day sense.