BudgerigarsGrass Parakeet - undulata undulata
Aboriginal Translation - Betch-yer-agar... meaning... good eating
As a pet it is doubtful if the Budgie can ever be equalled.Its popularity is gained mainly by its amazing powers of mimicry, and its antics are very amusing. This wee bird is very easily taught,easily learned and not surprisingly easily remembered.
The budgerigar is a very loving wee bird who likes to have company more or less at all times. The natural instinct of the budgie is to be part of huge flocks, which travel thousands of miles acrosss Australia following the seasons in order to find food and water. By having the Budgie at home we have taken away the need to travel, as we supply fresh food and water daily all year round, but as the Budgie is gregarious - flock flying - the need for company is still a very strong natural instinct.
For an example of gregarious birds, closer to home, we should look at the starlings we see at night flying overhead in their thousands prior to roosting up for the night.
It is because of this natural instinct of togetherness we often find that once we introduce a 'friend', our unsettled budgie becomes more pleasant in attitude towards everything, unless he is already the centre of attraction within the household.
The cage housing should be large enough to offer your pet plenty of room for exercising as exercise is a very important part to owning a healthy, long living budgie rther than an overweight, grumpy ornament in a cage! Staggered perches should be placed within the cage to stimulate climbing as if in their bushes or trees.
Fresh clean food and water should be offered daily and cuttlefish should always be available. Cuttlefish, as many would believe is not in order for them to sharpen their beaks, but instead is a very valuable source of calcium to help produce strong wones and assist in feather growth. Fresh fruit and vegetables should be offered in moderate supply as a source of healthy vitamins and minerals.
