Basics

Care

Exercise

You must allow your budgie to exercise at least once a day if it is not kept in an aviary, as it is detrimental to your budgie's wellbeing if it is kept in a small cage day after day with no exercise. Make sure all the doors and windows are closed, as budgies escape easily, and there are no dangerous hazards, such as fires and fans, before you let it out of the cage. Make sure any other pets are kept out of the room when your budgie is out of its cage.

Bathing

Budgies like baths - you can get one that clips on to the cage, but some budgies don't like still water. If this is so, get a plant sprayer and fill it with lukewarm water. Remove food pots from the cage, and gently spray water over the budgie, like rain.

Beak and nail care

Beak and nail care are important parts of your budgie's grooming routine, and your budgie's beak should be clean and the upper and lower parts of the beak overlap properly. Undershot beaks, where the tip of the upper bill tucks into the lower part will need to be cut back throughout any affected bird's life. If there is any dirt inside the beak, you can scrape this out with the plain end of a dead match. Cuttlefish bone will help to keep a beak in trim, and this can be attached to the cage with a special clip.

Illness

It is important to take your budgie to see the vet as soon as it shows any signs of illness, as conditions in birds can quickly become very serious.
One of the most obvious signs of illness to watch for is a change in your budgie's droppings. These can turn green if your budgie has a digestive disorder, and if your budgie is showing any signs of diarrhoea you should get in touch with your budgie's vet straight away.

Psittacosis

There are many causes of diarrhoea in budgies but one of the most serious is psittacosis, a disease that can also cause a very severe illness in humans.

The clinical signs of psittacosis are wide ranging. Some birds affected with it appear quite healthy, but others in the acute stage of the disease can show some or all of the following signs:
Marked depression Ruffled feathers Lack of appetite Problems breathing A discharge from the eyes and nose Watery diarrhoea

Psittacosis is a very unpredictable disease and can be very contagious. As it can cause serious illness in humans you should always consult your doctor if your vet suspects psittacosis in your budgie.