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– BUDGIES
– COCKATIELS
– PARROTS
๐๐จ๐๐๐๐ (๐๐๐ฑ๐ด๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ด๐ฎ๐ฟ)
Budgies are native to Australia with wild Budgies being green and smaller than domestic Budgies. They were first caged as pets over 150 years ago subsequent to which time the various colours were domestically bred.
They are popular due to their low cost and maintenance but the same low cost sometimes means that they are not given the same time and consideration as one would with a dog or cat.
If you do not have much time to socialise with your Budgie rather have a pair to keep each other company.
The ๐น๐ถ๐ณ๐ฒ๐๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ป of a Budgie in captivity is 5 to 8 years and in the wild 15 to 20 years.
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The ๐บ๐ถ๐ป๐ถ๐บ๐๐บ size for a Budgie cage is 50 cm L x 30 cm W x 45 cm H, instead try to have as large a cage as possible with room for a nest in which to sleep, food, water and toys.
It is recommended to place perches at different cage levels, arranging them in a way that allows your Budgie to comfortably jump between them. Each perch should ideally be of a different size, shape and texture.
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Budgies love seeds but they have a high-fat content. Pellet diets are a better option and should be complemented by a variety of fresh vegetables such as leafy greens, broccoli, corn and some fresh fruits in moderation.
๐๐๐ผ๐ถ๐ฑ aubergine (eggplant), apple and pear seeds, avocados, beans, cheese, chocolate, crackers and other biscuits, grapefruit, green tomatoes, honey, mushrooms and other fungi, nutmeg, rhubarb, salt, sugar, sweets, Xylitol.
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Cockatiels became popular as pets approximately 110 years ago due to their friendly, gentle, natures as they like to be petted and held, and want to be near you.
Also known as weiro bird, or quarrion, it is a medium-sized parrot that is a member of its own branch of the cockatoo family endemic to Australia.
The ๐น๐ถ๐ณ๐ฒ๐๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ป of a Cockatiel in captivity is 20 to 25 years and in the wild 10 to 15 years.
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The ๐บ๐ถ๐ป๐ถ๐บ๐๐บ size for a Cockatiel cage is 50 cm sq. x 65 cm H. It is recommended to place perches at different levels of the cage, arranging them in a way that allows your Cockatiel to comfortably jump between them and ideally to be of different sizes, shapes and textures.
Ensure that you also provide environmental enrichment and entertainment for your Cockatiel.
Bathe or spray your Cockatiel with water once a week. Regular cleaning of the cage is necessary. Ensure that the cage you get has a removable tray to make the task easier.
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Cockatiels are natural ground foragers and enjoy a range of foods, including commercial birdseed, pelleted food, vegetables, fruit and the occasional treat.
A mixture of 75% pellets and 25% seeds and keep the food bowl three-quarters full and refreshed daily as well as ensure that there is fresh, clean water at all times. Fresh fruit every other day as well as a honey stick or millet spray once a month as a special treat.
๐๐๐ผ๐ถ๐ฑ alcohol, avocado, caffeine, chocolate, dried or uncooked beans, fat, fruit pits and apple seeds, fruit seeds, garlic, high-fat, high-sodium, high-sugar foods, honey, mushrooms, onions and garlic, rhubarb, salt, Xylitol.
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There are a broad variety of Parrots with over 350 species spread across various countries, so it is advisable to seek professional advice to help you find the right match according to your expectations and lifestyle. It is also essential to ensure that your Parrot has been obtained legally โ unfortunately, many birds are captured from their native home and imported, a trade that is mostly illegal, environmentally destructive and cruel.
Parrots are social creatures, smart and highly intelligent requiring continuous challenging tasks to ensure their wellbeing. They love the companionship of humans or other birds and you should set aside time to provide daily interaction between yourself and your pet, and be ready for some long, noisy conversations!
Giving the parrot opportunities to express natural behaviours such as communication, play and forage are essential to prevent stress and diseases.
The ๐น๐ถ๐ณ๐ฒ๐๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ป๐ of popular Parrots kept as pets are Amazon 40 to 70 years; Macaw 35 to 50 years; Conure 15 to 20 years; Cockatoo 40 to 70 years; African Greys up to 60 or more years with some Parrots outliving their owners.
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A Parrot requires a very large cage which should be used as a resting place rather than 24/7 accommodation. It is very important that you allow your pet to fly in a safe environment whenever possible.
Chewing wood toys and cardboard rolls can be used to provide endless occupational activities with feeding time being a great opportunity to promote challenging enrichment through puzzles where food can be hidden โ this will allow mental stimulation, as parrots need to find strategies to catch food and they feel highly rewarded when they succeed.
Also, remember that regular exposure to fresh air and sunlight is fundamental to keeping your parrot healthy.
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Parrot diets should consist of a combination of a high-quality pellet and whole, fresh foods. (Small bird species, such as budgies, parakeets or cockatiels, can have a mixture of high-quality seed and pellet because of their high metabolism and energy output.) Seed is not appropriate for larger species, such as Amazons, greys, macaws and cockatoos, because they do not provide enough healthy nutrients and unhealthy seed mixes can contribute to excessive weight gain and liver disease.
Pellets should make up 50-70% of a parrotโs diet with the remaining 30-50% of a Parrotโs diet composed of fresh foods, including these: cooked whole grains and/or pseudo-grains such as rice (brown, wild or forbidden), oats, barley, quinoa, buckwheat, amaranth and teff; limited amounts of raw fruit; raw or steamed vegetables (preferably organic, when available); raw, soaked or sprouted nuts and seeds (fruits, seeds and nuts should comprise no more than 10-20%); soaked and cooked or sprouted legumes.
๐๐๐ผ๐ถ๐ฑ alcohol, avocado, caffeine, cassava (tapioca), chocolate or cocoa, dairy products, food intended for humans, food high in salt, fat and sugars, food containing dyes or preservatives, fruit seeds and pits, meat, mushrooms, onion, garlic, scallions, uncooked beans, Xylitol.
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Ensure that
– you feed your pet the correct food and know what foods are toxic to avoid;
– your pet always has fresh water available;
– you place the cage where the bird will be most comfortable;
– you place the cage where there is human activity to minimise boredom โ please refer to respiratory toxins in birds before doing so;
– you have accessories and toys in the cage for behavioural enrichment;
– clean cages daily;
– create a safe, secure space for parrots and other birds to have an exercise flight daily or every few days;
– and ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ ๐ถ๐บ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐๐น๐, spend time interacting with your pet bird.
๐ฅ๐ฒ๐๐ฝ๐ถ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ ๐ง๐ผ๐ ๐ถ๐ป๐ ๐ถ๐ป ๐๐ถ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or โTeflon toxicityโ, gasses like carbon monoxide, smoke from tobacco products, and fumes from new carpets and furniture, air fresheners, scented candles, paints, glues, household cleaning products, mothballs, hair spray, and nail polish can all be harmful when they are near birds.
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This article is produced by SAVetshops, in the interest of informing people and sharing information. It is not considered a reference article or a definitive medical reference. Source references are listed below and any person wishing to know more should consult these references, their local vet, state health service or doctor.
๐ช๐๐ง๐ ๐ง๐๐๐ก๐๐ฆ ๐ง๐ข ๐ง๐๐ ๐๐ข๐๐๐ข๐ช๐๐ก๐ ๐ฆ๐ข๐จ๐ฅ๐๐๐ฆ:
Best Friends – https://resources.bestfriends.org/article/healthy-parrot-diet-nutrition-toxic-foods#:
Birds & Veterinary Clinic – https://www.birdexoticsvet.com/Budgie-care-guide
Lafeber Company – https://lafeber.com/pet-birds/species/cockatiel/
Omlet – https://www.omlet.co.uk/guide/Budgies/Budgie_food/food_to_avoid/
Pet Poison Helpline – https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/pet-safety-tips/top-5-toxins-companion-birds/#:
Petsmart – https://www.petsmart.com/learning-center/bird-care/cockatiel-care-guide/A0065.html
The Spruce Pets – https://www.thesprucepets.com/cockatiels-as-pets-1236728
VetHelpDirect – https://vethelpdirect.com/vetblog/2022/02/13/do-parrots-make-good-pets/
