parakeet for kids
After opening this year’s birthday and Christmas cards, my ten-year-old son proclaimed himself “rich.” There was no way to convince him that “rich” is a state of mind. spend The first thing on his list: a bird.
That’s right, not a bike, a skateboard, or a video game, but a bird. Suddenly I found myself immersed in the culture of birds. What kind of bird should we get? What is the proper cage? How much is all this going to cost (he’s not that rich!)? In the end, we settled on a parakeet. I would like to share with you why this has been a great decision for my son and our family.
What is a parakeet?
A parakeet is a member of the parrot family. They are indigenous to Australia, where they are called parakeets or “budgies”. The name budgie has its roots in Australian culture, but its exact origin is unknown. They are relatively small birds and weigh very little. They have been bred to have many different colors, but what makes them stand out the most is their unusually long tail.
Parakeets are social birds. They enjoy being with other creatures (including humans), singing, showing affection, and exercising. Some parakeets will learn to imitate other sounds. There have been reports of pet parakeets repeating over 100 sounds made by their owners. There is no guarantee that your parakeet will “talk,” but there are a few other pet birds that give you the opportunity to engage in this fun activity.
Things to consider
There are a few things to consider before purchasing a pet parakeet.
playing with your parakeet
The first is connected to your desire to be social. If you can’t commit to spending time with your bird, don’t buy a budgie. They want to be outside and around you. They want to fly around the house. They want to be whistled. If you don’t do these things, you will be harming your pet’s mental and physical health. Consider getting two birds if you are unwilling or unable to dedicate the necessary time.
On the other hand, if you can spend an hour or more a day with your budgie, consider buying just one. Better yet, get a male. Males are the more social and less aggressive sex of the parakeet. They are more likely to land on your finger, shoulder, or as my son proclaimed, “on my guitar.” Males also give you a better opportunity to mimic activities.
Clean up after your pet
Birds can be dirty, hence the phrase “dirty bird,” but compared to most pets, they’re pretty clean. Sure, they’ll flake off a bit, and you’ll find the occasional drop, but overall, a little cleaning is all it takes. It could get dirty if you don’t keep up, so plan to spend a few minutes each day cleaning up after your bird.
pay for your pet
And, of course, you have to consider the financial obligations of owning a budgie. They typically run in the $15-25 range. A cage, some food, and some toys complete the purchase. For less than $100, you can have a pet you’ll enjoy for years. The only ongoing cost will be the occasional bag of bird food and some padding for the bottom of your cage (ground corn cobs are an option). Compared to other pets, these costs are minor.
make time for your bird
Parakeets are social. They want to be out of their cage and close to you, whether they are perched on your finger or your shoulder. Make sure you have plenty of time to spend with your bird so that it can satisfy its needs!
Shopping guide
A few simple rules must be followed when buying your bird.
Choose your pet carefully
First of all, you need to watch the birds for a few minutes before choosing one. Don’t choose one based on color alone. You should choose one that looks healthy, active, and social. A bird that is immobile or isolated from the flock should be avoided. Again, if you are looking to interact with your pet, try to choose a male, ideally one that is young. You have a much better chance of shaping their behavior if they are young. Any bird older than 5 months can be too stubborn.
Buy a sizable cage
Your cage and accessories will be an important part of your bird’s life, so you should plan to get it the best accessories available. Budgies like to fly, so the bigger the cage, the better. It’s understandable if you can’t afford an extremely large cage and/or your living space won’t fit one, but you should spend a little more to get the biggest cage possible.
Add fun toys and perches to the cage
The way you customize your cage is just as important. Parakeets are intelligent birds and require cognitive stimulation. Adding multiple perches, bells, and ladders can be a great way to keep your bird active and happy.
You may want to reconsider purchasing a mirror for your bird if you plan on doing a lot of socializing with your bird. Parakeets are smart, but not that smart. They will think the bird in the mirror is another member of the flock and will be less likely to want to hang out with you if a mirror is present.
Have fun with your parakeet!
In short, having a parakeet in our house has given us great joy. With a little patience, a little cleanup, and a small financial commitment, you too can enjoy this wonderful species. If you decide to buy one, consider reading about how to “train” them.
This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and belief and is not intended to be a substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.
what on May 04, 2020:
I don’t have a parakeet, but I’m trying to convince her to buy me one. Any suggestions?
Cassie on April 15, 2020:
I do not want to register on this website
Louisa Lyons on September 22, 2019:
I have 6 parakeets but one of them stays by my side all day and if the others try to get past me it scares them away. They all come to me. I have them 3 years now and I let them out of the cage all day plus I clean their cage every day. When I play music, everyone starts singing. I love them very much, they are my babies.
dw on September 5, 2019:
I used to breed budgies 50 years ago and started again last year. I have 3 3 week old babies and am getting ready to hand feed them.
margaret roberts on June 27, 2019:
I have a parakeet. I just love it. He’s smart. When he cleaned his cage, I cleaned his mirror with the food dish. and wipe the water off your mirror and food plate. I thank preciosa and tell preciosa that she did a great job. I love my parakeet.
Jatin on June 16, 2019:
Didi fruit Badri mridanga Rajkot
jacinta on June 12, 2019:
Expect. I can’t whistle. Does that mean I can’t get a budgie?
sweet potato on May 14, 2019:
I have a female parakeet and it is very nice to have her here.
smooth on March 25, 2019:
My parakeet came home shortly after turning 4 months. He is amazing. I have a lot of time to spend with him. He is just over a year old, he talks, he dances to YouTube videos, especially David Guetta, and he flies around our house for about an hour a day. He even plays with our pitbull. They love each other.
Chloe on February 3, 2019:
Are budgies more of a date or a noisy bird?
DoggoIsMyNameO on June 4, 2018:
Thank you for this! I am planning to get a parakeet and wanted to know if they would be a good bird for me and this article assured the greatness of these birds.
hello554 on May 17, 2018:
touch those haters
bugie123 on May 15, 2018:
I love parakeets
and your art
lin lin from New Jersey, USA on January 27, 2013:
I once had a parakeet, like the first of your photos. (Actually it was from my neighbor), a really beautiful bird. He died heartbroken because I have to study hard for a test the next day and I don’t have time to play with him. His hub brings back the memory. Thank you!
Boulismo (author) from Short Beach, CT on January 25, 2013:
It’s never too late billybuc!
bill holland from Olympia, WA on January 25, 2013:
You know, I’ve never had one. That in itself is quite remarkable. Not when he was a child or a father. I wonder why is that so? 🙂 Good job with this center!