Blue parakeets are like little pieces of the sky that fell to earth to brighten our lives. I have dragged myself home after a long day, only to have my spirits lifted by the cheerful song of these chirpy little birds. If you are searching for a happy companion bird, you should consider a blue parakeet. It is always wise to obtain as much information as possible before purchasing a pet.
Blue parakeets can live up to fourteen years if they are provided with good nutrition and care. A combination of greens, fruit, pellets, and seeds is the best food. The cage must allow the bird the opportunity to fly. They are sociable birds and will need company from you or another parakeet.
Parakeets go by the Latin name Melopsittacus undulatus. They are also called budgerigars, affectionately shortened to budgies. Blue parakeets are social birds, and like all pet birds, they have specific nutritional, emotional, and environmental needs.
Why Are Blue Parakeets Blue?
Parakeets originate from Australia, where you may see them flying in large flocks. They occur naturally in blue or green colors, but green parakeets are more common.
Blue parakeets are unusual, and because they differ from the rest of the wild flock, they are often targeted by predators as they are more noticeable. This is why blue parakeets are not seen as commonly in the wild.
Blue parakeets have a white base color, and green parakeets have a yellow base color
Various genes modify the base color to produce different shades of blue or green.
How Long Do Blue Parakeets Live?
Blue parakeets live between eight to fourteen years. Taking good care of your parakeet and ensuring proper nutrition will enable it to live a long life.
Parakeets and birds, in general, are sensitive to many fumes that occur around our homes. This can include something as mundane as non-stick pan coating, oven cleaner, or essential oil diffusers. Be aware of these issues and make sure your bird is not exposed to fumes.
Joining or following a parakeet care group such as this one will help you avoid the health pitfalls that could shorten your parakeet’s life.
What Do Blue Parakeets Eat?
Many people mistakenly think that blue parakeets only eat seeds. Feeding a seed-only diet can cause severe health problems.
Seeds are very high in fats, and this causes the liver to become fatty and function inefficiently. Seeds do not provide all the nutrients a blue parakeet needs.
Parakeets in the wild eat plant leaves, herbs, seeds, germinating seeds, and fruit. You can mimic this diet by providing your blue parakeet with various fruit, vegetables, herbs, and sprouts.
A small amount of seeds is necessary and acceptable. The diet should include pellets formulated explicitly for parakeets.
Help! My Blue Parakeet Only Eat Seeds
You may have adopted a parakeet that only eats seeds, or perhaps you did not know that your parakeet needed other food besides seeds.
The problem is now you have a bird that will only eat seeds which is a diet that will surely shorten the bird’s life span.
Birds can be tricky creatures, and some will be very stubborn about changing from a diet that they are accustomed to. There are a few ideas that can help them adjust to new food.
- Feed your bird the fruit, vegetables, and pellets first thing in the morning. A hungry parakeet will be more likely to try something new. Provide seeds a little later on in the day.
- If your bird is still resistant to trying the new food, mix the new food in with the seeds. You can grind the pellets and mix the powder with seeds. Chop the greens and fruit into small pieces and mix with the seeds. The aim is that the parakeet cannot pick up seed without picking up a tiny morsel of the new food.
- Thread fruit, vegetables, and greens onto a skewer that you hang in the bird’s cage. Put this in first thing in the morning. This provides interest as the food is presented in a novel and more natural way. Some blue parakeets will try food offered in this manner.
Never try to starve your blue parakeet to make him eat the new food. Some birds will die rather than eat the new food.
What Size Cage Do In Need For A Blue Parakeet?
The minimum size cage for a parakeet is one foot in width and height and two feet long. The larger the cage, the more beneficial it is for your little blue friend.
Budgies need the opportunity to fly, which smaller cages do not provide. The exercise helps to keep your blue parakeet healthy and happy.
The bars in a parakeet’s cage should be a minimum of half an inch or 1,27 cm apart. The blue parakeet must not be able to get its head through the bars.
Does My Blue Parakeet Need A Friend?
Blue parakeets are sociable birds, and as a result, they thrive on company. Some people prefer to keep a bird singly as they feel the bird bonds better with them.
You need to honestly assess how often you are home and if you can give your bird enough attention.
You need to be at home most of the time and allow your blue parakeet out of its cage. The bird must be with you the majority of the day. If you can ensure this scenario, then keeping a parakeet by itself may be acceptable.
If your bird is confined to its cage for most of the day, it is kinder to provide your blue parakeet with a friend.
How Can I Tell The Sex Of My Blue Parakeet?
If you examine the cere, it is possible to determine the sex of the parakeet. The cere is the soft fleshy part at the top of the beak. In males, the cere is blue or purple, and in females, it is usually beige or tan.
This method is not foolproof, and occasionally a bird may not follow the rule. To be sure, you can have the bird sexed by an avian vet.
Can A Blue Parakeet Learn To Talk?
Blue parakeets can learn to talk. They are not as prolific talkers as some parrots, but they can learn some simple words or phrases. Spend time every day and repeat the same words to your bird.
Specific individuals may be more gifted at learning to speak than others. Some parakeet owners feel that males may learn more quickly than females, but both are capable of learning to talk.
Many people believe that the parakeet will learn to speak more easily if it is kept by itself. It is critical to remember that you must provide sufficient companionship to the bird if you keep the parakeet alone.
Conclusion
Blue parakeets are friendly little birds that differ from green parakeets by the color of their base coats. Their diet must be appropriate for their nutritional needs, and they need a cage that allows flying room.
Blue parakeets can learn to speak and enjoy the company of people. They benefit from having a companion parakeet if you cannot provide enough attention.
Related Questions
How big does a blue parakeet get? Blue parakeets size is the same as general parakeets, around 7 inches in height. Parakeets are like regular birds and even after the wingspan is fully stretched, their size goes up to 12-14 inches only.
How much do blue parakeets cost? When it comes to keeping blue parakeets as pets, it’s not very costly. You can get one for your home at as low as $25.
References
Axelson, R. Hess, L. Budgies – Feeding. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/budgies-feeding
Axelson, R. Hess, L. Budgies – General. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/budgies—general