All about budgies

The budgerigar is very popular as a pet. The bird is quite quick-witted and active, capable of memorizing phrases. Bright and beautiful color, as well as unpretentious care, become the reason for the acquisition of these particular parrots.

At home in Australia, budgerigars live in eucalyptus thickets, forests and savannas. Flocks consist of a different number of birds, but they all move very synchronously, as if one whole. Wild specimens are predominantly green in color. They are quite hardy and adapt to different climatic conditions. The body size of the wavy is from 17 to 23 cm, the wing is about 10 cm, the tail is stepped, 8–10 cm long.

The birds weigh 40–45 grams. The head and neck in front are yellowish, on the left and right on the head near the throat there are two elongated spots with a dark lilac tint, under them there are tiny black blotches on the neck. The back of the head is covered with wavy stripes of a dark color. The same ones are on the back, which is why the birds got their name. In the wild, budgerigars have bright green plumage, birds living in artificial conditions have a much wider range of colors.

They can be of a variety of bright colors - from white to blue - as well as different shades. Boys have a luminous plumage on their foreheads that looks like a hat. A person can see it only in the dark, while parrots can see it both day and night. During the mating season, its brightness helps to choose a partner. Birds have dark eyes, their viewing angle is very wide. What's more, budgies have the ability to recognize colors.

The beak is slightly curved, rather strong, horny. In its upper part there is a wax - a growth with the nasal sinuses - which also takes part in the movement of the beak. Its color stands out significantly: young males have a purple thickening, as it grows, it acquires a rich blue color. Females at a young age have a bright blue wax, there is a rim of a lighter tone around the nostrils. In adult girls, the growth becomes brown.

The seal is not covered with feathers, therefore, it is easy to see any changes that indicate the health of the pet. The tongue is slightly rounded, short, horny at the end. Feet without feathers, blue-gray or pinkish color with almost black nails. Each foot has four toes: two forward and two backward.

This arrangement is very suitable for grasping techniques, grabbing onto branches or cage rods, and for walking on the surface. With the help of tenacious fingers, birds can easily move any small objects.

There are nearly 150 varieties of wavy hair that are kept in captivity. Classify them according to color. The first group includes parrots, which have two primary colors, but they can be of different shades. The second unites individuals with a variegated color. Crested and chubby representatives of budgies are distinguished separately.

• Green has a natural color. On the back there are uniform undulating stripes, the head and wings are also covered with typical black lines. There are six characteristic spots on the neck.

• Opaline in color it does not have bright, clear stripes, lines on the wings of a dark tone: dark gray or black.

• Cinnamon color similar to the previous one, only instead of dark stripes - brown. Females have a lighter plumage, thanks to this feature, it is easy to determine the sex of the parrot.

• Spangle or star color characterized by white plumage with lace patterns on the tail and wings. Framing in the form of dark stripes.

• Yellowfaces differ in yellow color of the head, sometimes the whole body of this color.

• Gray-winged it is characterized by a gray color of the wings, the rest of the parts can be of different colors.

• Pure winged have wings of a single color. With the main green color, they are yellow, if the bird is blue-blue, the wings are white.

• Variegated - the most numerical category. Its representatives are distinguished by the presence of clearly visible spots of various shapes. The number of points can be different, often there is only one on the back of the head.

• Half the coloring is very rare, the body is vertically divided into two unequal colors. Chicks of this color are born from mating of parrots of different colors, such a color is not inherited.

• Albino are obtained by crossing spangles with each other. Birds are completely white; they differ from albinos with black eyes.

• Lutino stand out in an absolutely yellow color.

• Anthracite beautiful black color is characteristic.

• Aspid have a pale gray as the main color and different shades of blue.

• Speckled they acquire their variegated color with age, it is distinguished by a beautiful speckled pattern.

• Misty have a turquoise body color, their head is white, and their wings are decorated with brownish waves.

• Tufted come in different colors. Their distinctive feature is the presence of a tuft on the head. Its shape can be different: round, semicircular, resembling a bundle. Some representatives have chaotic strands on the back and wings.

• Saddle They are distinguished by gray wings and numerical markings of the same color in the saddle area.

• Rainbow stand out with a very bright color, with an unusual combination of waves and juicy shades.

You need to buy 3-4 month old parrots, they quickly master in new conditions. First, you should pay attention to the plumage: a healthy bird has clean, shiny feathers, in the patient they are disheveled, not very dense. The scales on the paws should be even. If the parrot is inactive, lethargic, it is better not to choose it. It must be remembered that wavy birds are very active, inquisitive birds.

When choosing them as pets, you need to be prepared for the fact that they sing loudly, especially in the morning. They also like to scatter newspaper scraps, droppings, feed residues, husks. The cage will need to be cleaned every day to avoid bad odor. These birds have a very sensitive respiratory system, so you cannot:

• smoking;
• sprinkle with perfume;
• use an air freshener;
• paint your nails;
• to cook.

When buying, you need to be able to determine the sex of the pet, since girls and boys have different characters. Males learn to speak faster, they show more interest in imitation. In addition, males are more active and not as aggressive as females, which are most often acquired for breeding.

In order for the acquired wavy to feel great in a new place, he needs to create certain conditions. The first step is to take care of the cage. It is chosen mainly rectangular, rather voluminous and better made of stainless steel. The bottom in the cage must have a pallet. Several wooden beams, rattles, swings are placed at different levels.

Must be present: a bath, a drinker, three feeders - one for grain, the other for soft feed and the third for vitamin preparations. The dishes are washed every day. The pallet also needs to be cleaned once a day. They wash the cage and the items in it once a week. It is useful for birds to fly around the apartment, but at the same time it is necessary to exclude the birds eating indoor flowers, they can be poisoned.

It is better to place the cage in a bright room. One part of the cage should be placed close to the wall - there the wavy will arrange a secluded corner for itself. When installing the cage, it is worth remembering that parrots do not tolerate heat and drafts poorly, so these factors should be excluded. In summer, you can put birds on the balcony for a while, but only until noon. At night, the cage is covered with a dark cloth, but so that there is air access.

In the summer, you can put a bath with water so that the parrots do not overheat. The optimum temperature for them is + 22-25 degrees. In winter, you need to create additional lighting, similar to the sun. Poultry should eat varied and in the correct ratio of products. To strengthen the body and normal development, they are provided with vitamins, crushed eggshells, chalk.

They mainly eat mixed grain feed.... They also eat sesame seeds, flax, oats, sunflower seeds. In winter, the birds are given sprouted wheat and oats.

In summer, they can be fed with young leaves of plantain, dandelion, clover, but they should not be torn near the road or some kind of production. It is not allowed to give the birds nuts, green onions, as well as persimmons, avocados and mangoes. Once a week, parrots are treated to foods that contain calcium: cottage cheese or a boiled egg. They give food to the wavy ones twice a day, it is better to give water purified and not cold, the main thing is that it should not stagnate in the drinking bowl. From time to time, vitamin preparations are dripped into it.

Moulting time comes twice a year for parrots. During this period, they become more irritable, do not fly. They should be left alone, not disturbed, and vitamin preparations should be added to the diet. If a female and a male are kept together, you need to know that they become sexually mature in a year and a half. Mating takes place in the summer-autumn period.

To hatch the chicks, a small box with a reclining top, a recess for eggs and a bed of wood shavings is placed in the cage.

Budgerigars are very quick-witted and quick to learn. But first you need to tame the bird, win its trust. You cannot use force, take it in your hands against your will. Gradually offer a treat and pay attention - the wavy will get used to it and will look for communication with the owner himself. After that, you can start learning. To achieve a result, classes should be carried out regularly.

Young individuals are easier to train and learn much faster. It is better to start memorizing words with the name of the bird, it must be pronounced clearly and expressively. The duration of the sessions should be approximately 10–20 minutes at the same time. It is imperative to praise the parrot for the work done and reward it with a treat. The main thing in this business is not to be lazy and to adhere to regularity.

The result will be in about a month's work, but it's worth it. A satisfied pet will demonstrate its success to everyone. Very often the owners of budgies are faced with such a problem as bites. These birds are very sensitive and in this way can express their emotions: fear, hostility, excitement. You must first understand the reason for this behavior, because the method of solving the problem depends on it.

Birds become aggressive during the molting period, defending their possessions, and in this way may require attention or play. If this demeanor has become habitual, you need to take action. To stop the bird from biting, after trying to remove it with the word "no", said clearly, in a strict tone. As a result, after 4–5 times, the parrot begins to understand the prohibition and react to it. You can also try to switch the wavy's attention as soon as it tries to bite. After a while, he himself will forget this habit.

For information on how to train a budgerigar, see below.

Unfortunately budgerigars are prone to disease, especially those resulting from hybridization. The lethargic and apathetic look of the pet should be alerted. A sick bird has dull feathers, nasal discharge appears, the wax color changes, appetite disappears or excessive thirst appears. Often diseases are caused by improper care or diet of the parrot. Among the most common diseases of budgerigars are:

• a cold occurs due to hypothermia or a draft and is manifested by coughing, nasal discharge, treated with warming;
• gastrointestinal disorders or poisoning are manifested by diarrhea, drowsiness, vomiting and are the result of poor-quality food;
• gout occurs in adult birds and the symptoms are small nodules near the joints and swelling, is treated under the supervision of a veterinarian (if left untreated, birds die);
• arthritis and other diseases of the paws often occur due to excess weight associated with improper diet, treatment is prescribed by an ornithologist.

Budgerigars often get sick due to parasites, mainly ticks and helminths:

• the scabies mite affects the wax area, causing severe itching, is treated with a special compound;
• a tracheal mite develops in the trachea and lungs, provoking attacks of suffocation, therapy is prescribed by a doctor;
• the red tick feeds on the blood of a bird (dangerous for humans), depriving it of strength, is treated with "Neostomazan";
• puffy eaters eat skin scales and plumage, birds suffer from itching and discomfort, treatment is carried out under the supervision of a doctor;
• helminths provoke diarrhea, lethargy, decreased appetite, may appear due to poor-quality food, treatment is prescribed by a veterinarian.

They suffer from wavy and infectious diseases, the symptoms of which are similar to the common cold.

There are many interesting facts about budgies:

• they see more colors than humans, because they also distinguish the ultraviolet spectrum;
• natural color - green, hardly noticeable in foliage;
• the fastest birds;
• live on the Australian mainland for more than 5 million years;
• the head rotates 180 degrees;
• the weight of the hatched chick is about 2 grams;
• heart rate - 200 beats per minute.

Read on for interesting facts about budgies.

Those who decide to have budgies as pets note their sociability, friendliness and cheerful disposition. They also highlight the need for a balanced diet, since monotonous food causes intestinal problems.

Experienced parrot owners warn of the negative effects of drafts on bird health. All wavy wearers rejoice at their learning abilities and pretty good achievements. Also, many emphasize a sense of rhythm and dance ability, and there is nothing to say about singing talent.