Parakeets are lively and attractive companions with their bright plumage and cheerful chirping. The common parakeet belongs to the Melopsittacus undulatus family and is a type of small, seed-eating parrot with a long tail. Despite being relatively easy to care for, parakeets need clean environments, proper diet, social interaction and mental stimulation.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Choosing a Parakeet
Step 1. Decide whether you want a classic English Parakeet or choose one of 100 different species of this bird
Look for Alexandrine Parakeets, Collared Parakeets, Black-headed Parakeets or any species available where you live. The English parakeet is originally from Australia, being a relatively easy species to find. The most common species in Brazil is the Green Periquito. There are other species that come from South America, Africa and certain parts of Asia that can be raised as pets with the right environment and equipment (such as toys).
Step 2. Choose a reputable breeder
As with any other animal, you should ideally buy from a reputable seller. Check out reviews on the internet to get a better idea of the person, ask to see the other birds, see if they are kept in good condition and appear calm and well cared for.
Avoid crowding birds on perches and choose fresh, quality food such as fruits and vegetables
Step 3. Look for an animated parakeet with clear eyes
Make sure there is no shell around the cere (the play dough above the beak) and that the excretory orifice is not dirty, as this is usually a sign of digestive problems. Avoid birds that appear lethargic and do not leave the base of the cage.
Choose birds that look happy, vigorous and healthy. It may be necessary to visit at different times of the day, as parakeets take naps or seem sleepy at certain times
Step 4. Consider buying a pair
Parakeets are sociable birds and like to be kept in pairs or groups. If you buy a single bird, you may need to spend time with it daily to satisfy its companion needs.
If you decide to buy several birds, put them together in the same cage and don't mix the species
Step 5. Take the new parakeet to the vet
Even if it looks healthy, take it to a vet after you buy it, as they don't show symptoms until they are very sick. Your veterinarian will most likely test for psittacosis, which is a dangerous bacteria that can be passed on to you and your family. He will also examine the bird for internal and external parasites, yeasts, fungi and other types of bacteria.
Part 2 of 3: Preparing the cage
Step 1. Buy a suitable cage
It should be at least 45 cm x 60 cm x 60 cm, but buy as large as you can. Prioritize horizontal measurements as parakeets fly horizontally.
Step 2. Choose stainless steel or other non-galvanized cage type
Unfortunately, many metals, such as zinc, bronze and lead, can be toxic to parakeets. Never use a cage that is rusty or has peeling paint.
Step 3. Parakeets love to climb, so choose a cage with horizontal bars to allow them to cling and swing upwards
The bars should be less than 1.5 cm apart so they don't pinch the heads between them.
Step 4. Line the cage with paper towels or bond – these are better options than sheets of newspaper
When the lining is full of feces, discard it and replace it with clean paper.
Step 5. Attach a food bowl and a drinking bowl to the bars of the cage
Install them away from the base to prevent food from falling on the floor and becoming contaminated with faeces.
If you cage several parakeets, have a bowl of food for each so that the dominant bird doesn't drive them away from the food
Step 6. Furnish the cage with a perch
The ideal is to use branches of natural wood. Choose a branch with a diameter large enough that the bird's fingers do not curl and overlap. The diameter should normally be around 10 mm. Orchard wood such as apple, plum, pear or cherry are safe for parakeets and have natural abrasives that keep their nails short.
The wooden peg perches found in most cages are poorly designed for birds. Pin diameters are very narrow and do not wear out the animal's claws
Step 7. Place toys in the cage
Parakeets have active, inquisitive minds that need a lot of mental stimulation. Place a selection of toys in the cage so they have something to play with. The toys they like best have mirrors, bells or stairs.
Toys are needed to keep birds healthy and entertained. Boredom can lead to screaming
Step 8. Find a location for the cage in an environment where you will spend a lot of time for the bird to have company
Parakeets feel safe when they have a recoil area, so placing the cage against a wall is a good idea (rather than making them feel exposed on all sides). Avoid placing the cage next to a window or door, where it is at risk of direct sunlight, as birds are very sensitive to temperatures.
Cages should never be placed in the kitchen as fumes from some oils – and even from the finish of some frying pans – are toxic to birds and can make them very sick
Step 9. Clean the cage thoroughly as just changing the liner is not enough
Clean it with soap and water regularly, especially after placing food on the bars.
Part 3 of 3: Providing daily care for your parakeet
Step 1. Create a diet composed primarily of pellets
Although seeds are a common diet for parakeets in the wild, they are also sources of bacterial infections and can decrease the health and lifespan of animals. Bacteria can accumulate and overwhelm the bird over time. Consider converting the diet to around 60-70% pellets. Birds adapt to them at varying times, and may even reject them at first. However, about 90% of parakeets will be converted in two weeks using the following plan:
- Feed them seeds for just an hour in the morning and evening.
- The rest of the time they will have to feed on pellets.
- Generally, the 10% of parakeets that do not get used to it within two weeks will have to get used to it after a brief period of returning to the seed diet.
Step 2. Supplement diets with seed mixtures, fresh fruits and vegetables
As well as seeds, provide a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables such as cabbage, beets, peas, carrots, parsley, boiled yam, sliced apple, mandarin, citrus, etc. If you vary the supply – never feed the same food for two days in a row – birds will not suffer from dietary overload.
- Try attaching pieces of apple or carrots to the bars of the cage for the birds to peck at. For larger fruits or vegetables, cut them up in a food processor and place them in the food bowl.
- Most fresh food is safe for parakeets, with the exception of avocados, eggplants, apple seeds, rhubarb, tomato leaves and potatoes. Never give caffeine, chocolate or alcohol to parakeets.
Step 3. Change food and water daily
Let the bird get used to you and the environment by keeping food, drink and cage before you try to train them to perch on your finger.
Step 4. Offer snacks
Millet sprigs are great choices, but don't go overboard (offer about half a day) as they make you fat. Avoid sweets or excess oats, as they also make birds fat.
The sprigs of millet are also great ways to train your parakeet to perch on your finger
Step 5. Parakeets need company, so be prepared to spend at least 90 minutes a day – not necessarily consecutive – talking or interacting with them
Parakeets can be trained with clickers, which is a great way to mentally stimulate them and encourage the connection between you.
- Without regular attention, parakeets will lose interest in human interaction. A pair tends to connect (regardless of sex) and ignore humans, but with a little interaction you can be considered part of the pack.
- One way to interact with birds is to sing with them, bathe them, and if they seem to drop a toy quickly, pick it up. There's a chance he wants to play.
- Parakeets can get lonely. A good way to cheer them up is to talk to them.
- To get them to perch on your finger, press a little on their stomach and say "Up". By doing this continuously, they will start repeating the word and will go up whenever they say it, which will normally happen when they encounter a ladder/eave.
Step 6. Let your parakeet out of the cage for a while
Although he is able to fly inside it, it's a good idea to let him fly freely once a day. Be aware of possible dangers and close windows and doors, extinguish candles, etc. Again, clicker training can be useful for testing commands when it's time to get back to the cage.
Many things can be dangerous for parakeets and you may not know it. Before releasing it from the cage, remember to: remove potentially dangerous and shiny objects - such as knives, turn off all fans, keep them off the ground around children and other animals, etc. The safer the environment, the better
Step 7. Create proper sleep conditions
Parakeets will sleep approximately ten hours a day, mostly at night, but they can take naps during the day. When he's asleep, try not to make too much noise, but you can listen to music or watch TV at low volumes.
During the night, parakeets like the security of being covered, so place a towel or pillowcase over the cage
Step 8. Maintain a proper temperature, as parakeets are sensitive to large changes
They handle average temperatures well, but always keep a shady spot in the cage and try to keep temperatures below 25°C.
Step 9. Be aware
Parakeets require a lot of work, but you'll find they are very affectionate and fun. Most of them talk and how much they learn will depend on you. Be prepared for daily care and maintenance, and pay attention and play with them. Otherwise, consider another hobby.
Tips
- If you're gone for a long time, buy parakeets in pairs so they'll have company. These animals are very sociable and live in large herds when free. You can leave songs playing on a timer. Calm music helps ease the transition to a new place.
- Fill the pot with enough seeds to cover the base. This way you can control their diet and you won't waste too much food. This also prevents it from crumbling food and creating a mess.
- Take your birds to a veterinarian when you buy them and at least once a year. Keep a young bird separate at first so that older birds don't get sick until you know the new one is healthy.
- Never allow your birds to see a window. He might fly up to her and get hurt.
- There are many varieties of pellets available for parakeets and they can have very different tastes. You can offer a wide variety or try a few to see which ones suit your bird best. Some look like rabbit food, some resemble seeds, some are brittle, and so on. They come in different sizes and you can crush larger pellets to find out if different sizes are nicer.
- You can build a rope trellis, create a paddock for them, or even buy things they can climb and play outside their cage. A "gym" is highly recommended and can be a place for them to play while you do your activities in the environment – remember never to leave them alone in it.
- Trim birds' wings so they cannot fly. Watch out for wings that have blood vessels. Cut their nails when they are too sharp. Nozzles can be trimmed with sandpaper. Consult your veterinarian for more details.
- Do not play loud music or make sudden movements.
- Never let the parakeet out of the house.
Notices
- Seeds are usually stored in silos after harvesting, where rats eat and defecate, and despite being washed away, bacterial residues remain and cannot be removed by freezing or heating.
- Tropical birds spend most of their day in the canopy of the forest, so create a shady spot if the sun is too strong. Avoid placing the cage in the sun on hot days.
- If you let the bird wash, dry it with a towel. The ideal is not to let him bathe after 7 pm so he can dry off before bed.
- Birds mask their illnesses naturally to avoid appearing vulnerable to predators, so you need to be very alert in case the bird behaves strangely. When exhibiting symptoms he is probably already very ill. Consult a veterinarian immediately, as birds have rapid metabolisms and their problems can quickly escalate without proper care. Finding and treating problems early is essential.
- Never feed them chocolates, avocados, coffee, alcohol or salt. These foods are poisonous to them.
- The sap of evergreen trees is poisonous to many tropical birds, so if you own one of these trees, keep the bird away even from their odor. The parakeet can be attracted to shiny decorations, so be careful.
- Never leave the bird near cats or dogs, even if they look docile. Their instinct will usually cause them to kill the parakeets.
- Take many precautions to prevent the bird from escaping, such as clipping its wings, warning family members, putting screens on doors and windows, and thinking strategically. If the parakeet escapes, it will likely die from exposure and confusion.
- Always check that the tree in question is not poisonous to parakeets before purchasing a branch or plant for them. Many types are toxic!
- Don't worry if one of your birds is inside the nest, as it is probably laying eggs. Do not disturb her at these times, as this may break the eggs.
- Never leave a window open when the parakeet is out of the cage or it may escape.