Parakeet

What Are Parakeets?

Parakeets, also known as budgerigars or budgies, are native to Australia and are found throughout its woodlands and grasslands. While commonly referred to as budgies throughout most of the world, in the Unites States they are often called parakeets. Parakeets are some of the most popular birds in the world, and the most popular pet behind only cats and dogs.

While in the wild their green and yellow plumage has a camouflaging effect, as pets they can come in many different colors. An easy way to tell the sex of a parakeet is to look at their cere, or nostrils – blue means male and brown means female.

What Makes Parakeets a Good Pet?

Parakeets are some of the most popular parrots for a reason – they are smart, playful and fit in well to an environment that has children or other animals. Like African Greys, they are very vocal and skilled at replicating speech. A parakeet named Puck was even listed in the Guinness World Records in 1995 for his 1728-word vocabulary – larger than any other bird!

As they are smaller birds, parakeets are a good choice for environments with less space. They love playing and entertaining, and as social birds, thrive off interaction with their owners.

How Do You Care for Parakeets?

Parakeets are often very easy to care for, making them a great first choice for pet owners looking to see if birds are right for them. Like many parrots they can be destructive, but if given adequate toys and care can be a lot of fun to have. While known for their vocal abilities, they also are commonly considered less noisy, making them a perfect blend of sociable without being too disruptive. They are gentle and affectionate birds, which is why they are often recommended for families with children.

Parakeets are a great choice for new owners and experienced owners alike, and they are intelligent, friendly birds that are very easy to train and care for.

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