by jay | Updated on April 7th, 2023

Whether you’re a first-time bird owner or have kept birds in the past, parakeets make fantastic companions thanks to their lovely plumage and happy chirping. These friendly birds require little maintenance and form strong bonds with their human friends.

Small to medium-sized birds and parakeets have flexible bodies and long tails. They are brilliant and straightforward in educating birds. Most parrots reside in Australia, referred to as budgies or budgerigars.

They are primarily found in Australia’s warmer temperature zones and coastal regions because these are where food is most plentiful. There are numerous species of parakeets, and while all budgies are parakeets, not all are budgies. 

Facts about parakeets

Parakeets are a type of small parrot

You generally envision what is referred to as a genuine parrot when you think about parrots, especially as pet birds: a large beak and rainbow-colored feathers. But many parrot species, including cockatoos, African grey parrots, monk parakeets, and parakeets, also often called English budgies, are kept as pets. 

Although some pet owners prefer larger parrot species, such as the real parrot or cockatoos, parakeets make the ideal companion bird because they are smaller parrots and require less space than their larger counterparts. 

Parakeets are monogamous

The fact that parakeets are monogamous and remain with their partners for the whole of their lives intrigues many people. Most owners advise buying these birds in pairs since they prefer to spend their entire lives with a partner. 

Parakeets can talk

One of the parrot family’s loudest talking members is the parakeet. They are renowned for their capacity to replicate noises they hear to speak back. Despite having vocal cords, they have a highly evolved system of sounds, including shrills and squats, that they use to alert others to predators or food nearby.

The finest talkers among birds and parakeets are thought to have a vocabulary of up to 2,000 words. They now hold the most excellent bird vocabulary. 

The parakeet is a flock bird

The world is their flock because parakeets are flock creatures. When kept in captivity, parakeets should be kept in pairs since they are incomplete and lonely when they are alone. 

A lone parakeet will tame itself and come to you since they are drawn instinctively to seek out others to develop social bonds with other living things. In this situation, your flock will consist of your parakeet. 

Parakeets frequently regurgitate their food

You are more likely to observe your bird’s peculiar behavior of regurgitating its food the more time you spend with it. It’s a common practice for parakeets to feed chicks as they hatch, and it’s a behavior they frequently exhibit for people they consider to be family. 

Overly attached animals will become fiercely protective and may even try to harm other birds or family members if they feel like they are putting distance between you.

Parakeets are nomadic birds

In the wild, parakeets frequently change locations. Depending on the weather, they move north and south and settle in warmer regions where food is more plentiful. Parakeets require a close drinking water supply because they dwell in open settings. 

They can traverse great distances in quest of water. Since their food consists of very low-moisture seeds, they must consume water to stay hydrated. Yet these parakeets may suffer from drought.

Parakeets do not create their nests

Because they are monogamous, parakeets get along well with their neighbors. They live on Australia’s mainland, where they prefer to build their nests in cracks in fences, logs, eucalyptus trees, or hollow trees. Their neighbors’ nests might only be a few feet apart. In a tree hole over a few days, the females usually nest and lay 4 to 8 eggs after an 18-day incubation period, and they depart the nest a month later.

Parakeets are omnivores

As omnivorous birds, parakeets primarily eat seeds. Numerous nuts, fruits, insects, and plants make up their food. They frequently gather in big flocks and can pose a severe pest problem in grainfields and crop seeds like corn and wheat.

Fruits and vegetables should make up around 15% of their meal to create a more nutritionally balanced diet, while pellets and seeds should be distributed equally. 

Parakeet’s scientific name

A parakeet’s scientific name is Melopsittacus Undulatus, and a parakeet is French for a parrot. Others claim that the parakeet term has a “long tail.”

Parakeets can live up to 20 years

Parakeets can live for five to ten years in the wild, but they can live for up to twenty years in captivity. This is possible if they are well-managed and consume a healthier diet. They can reach 7 to 14 inches and typically weigh between 1.06 and 3 ounces. 

Parakeets like baths

Bath time will be enjoyable for your parakeet. But because it likes to bathe alone, you’ll need to give it a shallow bowl of warm water that it may use whenever it wants. To encourage them to take a bath, you’ll also need to change the water every day or two.

Parakeets use body language

Parakeets may even learn the language and sing flawlessly. That’s not all, though. Additionally, they communicate and convey their feelings through body language. Many different gestures and movements make up parakeets’ complex and varied body language.

Here are a few of the most common:

• Flapping wings – A parakeet with its wings spread might be interpreted differently. Your pet bird is probably just attempting to cool down if the weather is too hot.
• Hopping –  A parakeet may occasionally be observed hopping about the cage’s bars or branches. Hoping indicates that your parrot is content and busy in its surroundings.
• Putting one foot forward – This is also rather typical and denotes that they are relaxed.
• Raised feathers and a tipped tail – This is what female parakeets do during the mating season.
• Feathers collapsed – This indicates that your parakeet is fearful of or uneasy about a scenario or something in its environment.
• Feather cleaning – They love to groom their body and feathers in parakeets. It’s a positive indicator if your parakeet spends hours doing this every day. This indicates that they are secure and at ease.
• Silence/motionlessness. – Silence and immobility are typically warning indicators. Parakeets in good health are naturally active and content. They might be ill if they don’t sing, hop, move, or consume food. Additionally, they could be “silent” or immobile out of fear.

Parakeets can get some illnesses similar to humans

Due to their high sensitivity and ease of illness, parakeets require special care. They may even experience ailments that are strikingly similar to those that affect humans.

Don’t worry; parakeets can’t infect people with anemia, diabetes, bronchitis, asthma, or other conditions mentioned above.

Conclusion

Parakeets are incredibly fascinating animals that provide joy wherever they go. They are wonderful pets for both kids and adults. A pet parakeet is undoubtedly one of the greatest solutions for someone looking for a reliable, enduring pet companion.

We sincerely hope you enjoyed reading this list and discovered some interesting new information about parakeets.

jay

I am not an expert, just passionate. I own a Parakeet and I have been in your shoes. If you are currently looking for information, I've done the research and that is the reason why I created this website.