So you’re interested in learning more about possibly getting a parakeet, right?
In this article, we’ll examine parakeets as pets with pros and cons and discuss some of the qualities and traits that contribute to their popularity.
According to many expert bird breeders, you’ll discover why parakeets sometimes make good pets but not always.
Continue reading to learn why.
Here are the Pros and Cons of Parakeets
Parakeet Pros:
1. Social Interaction
Your hand-tamed bird will have fun in your presence and may even cuddle up to you by standing on your shoulder while you scratch her head feathers. In addition, practically most of us have acquaintances who own parakeets.
It’s wonderful to have an intriguing discussion, even in this day and age of internet buddies.
2. A Colorful Appearance
Compared to cats and dogs, parakeets see a wider range of colors. They also have some UV colors in their color vision.
They enjoy playing with bright toys, climbing colorful ladders, and eating colorful vegetables in their dish.
3. They’ll Fit in Your Home
In a tiny space, a budgie can easily obtain adequate exercise. Just be sure to take the required precautions to bird-proof your property because the bird will like flying around.
If you’d rather, you can learn how to clip your bird’s flying feathers to reduce his movement for a couple of months from a vet, a groomer, or a friend who owns a bird.
Most homes have enough space for a large parakeet cage. A good-sized cage should be around one and a half feet square, with bars spaced about a quarter inch apart.
That gives your bird enough room to enjoy some flying while still being secure enough to prevent it from getting its head hooked between cage bars, which could result in severe injuries.
4. Excellent Nutrition for You and Your Parakeet
If you invest some time in the productive sector of the grocery store and take care of them well, you’ll have more veggies at home. Make yourself a salad after you prepare one for your parakeet.
Additionally, parakeet-specific meals with a balance of nutrients can help your little buddy lead a long and healthy life.
5. Ability to Talk
Parakeets imitate phrases and words. Some even have vocabularies that rival or exceed those of “known” speakers, like Amazon parrots, Quakers, and African greys, which are much larger parrots.
Only the males converse; thus if you own a male budgie, set aside some time to chat with him daily. He speaks quickly and at a high level, so pay close attention to his vocalizations.
Regarding vocalizations, female and male parakeets frequently chatter happily. Your parakeet is an enjoyable company even if it never picks up your language.
6. Unlimited Entertainment
If you give your parakeet the correct toys, he will put on a show for you that is superior to anything you can see on television.
Birds like ringing bells, inspect hollow objects, bonk toys, toss objects, and converse with their reflections in mirrors.
Your parakeet will likely destroy any chewable items presented to them. Typically, items like adding machine tape, a full carrot, or a palm frond will be left in tatters.
7. A Small Travel Companion
A parakeet is a more convenient travel companion due to its tiny size. For weekend getaways or visits to family, you can even put your little bird’s cage in your car because parakeets need a smaller container than other parrots do.
Of course, let the locals know about your bird travel partner so that they can make him feel at home. See which hotels accept guests with pets. A parakeet’s reduced size might make this simpler.
You may choose not to travel with your parakeet in extremely cold or hot weather. If you leave your budgie at home during your travel, your chances of finding a friend or pet sitter who is budgie-friendly are high.
The small cage and less frightening size of your parakeet also make it simpler to leave your pet and his cage at a colleague or relative’s house if you have to leave town.
Parakeet Cons
- Despite their small stature, these parrots are not silent. They do not squeal, but they can chirp continuously.
- They have 8–12-year lifespans, which are short (bigger parrots have lifespans of 20+ years).
- Relatively weakened health; susceptible to minor temperature changes and liver issues and tumors.
- You need to exercise frequently to stay healthy and resist illnesses and diseases.
- Compared to a few of the bigger species, parakeets lack the same intelligence of high level.
Conclusion
Parakeets are very well-liked as pets since they’re playful and intelligent birds. Most of them can build a vocabulary of more than 100 words.
If you only want one parakeet, you’ll need to be prepared to serve as a great buddy for your bird. Now that you’re familiar with parakeets’ pros and cons, you’ll know what is right for them.
Because parakeets naturally flock together, interacting with them will make them happier, healthier, and physically and psychologically fit.
