What's the Best Home Environment for Parakeets?
Written and verified by the lawyer Francisco María García
Parakeets are one of the most wonderful bird species out there. They have beautiful colors, they’re extremely intelligent, and they can even be domesticated. They are not just the most popular pets for no reason at all.
If you’re thinking about getting one, it’s good to start by learning what would be the best environments for them, because it’s what’s most important to keep them happy and healthy.
Tips on choosing the best environment for parakeets
Having a pet means making a long-term commitment to take care of an animal. That’s why you have to gather as much information as you can about anything that might directly or indirectly affect your newest family member.
A lot of people choose parakeets as pets because they think they don’t need as much care as other animals, like dogs and cats. That might be true…
However, they’re delicate little creatures, and even though they might be easier to take care of, that doesn’t mean you have to care for them any less. General things about their living environment, like temperature, humidity, and diet, are all extremely important.
Caring for a parakeet
Temperature
This is one of the most important things when it comes to caring for parakeets. It’s mainly because they’re delicate, and it’s important to make sure they’re in a healthy environment.
So, you should know that parakeets are better off living in cooler temperatures. These animals are unable to sweat, so they have a hard time regulating the temperature in their small bodies. The only way they can cool off is by opening and closing their beak quickly.
The ideal temperature for parakeets is between 77-81 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s also important to make sure they have shade, especially during the peak of summer.
Plus, if you have air conditioning at home, you have to make sure it doesn’t blow directly on them, because that can be fatal. So, remember that a moderately cool temperature and shade are the two most important environmental factors for these birds.
Humidity
One of the other key aspects to keep parakeets healthy is by giving them a dry place to live. Basically the best environment for your parakeet is a moderately cool place with low humidity.
Diet
A good diet means a healthy parakeet. A healthy diet is balanced, and it can be either natural or processed food. Nowadays, most grocery stores and pet stores have processed food made just for parakeets. The main ingredients are usually bird seed, millet, hemp, oats, and other seeds.
Maintaining a healthy environment for parakeets
It’s easy to take care of parakeets. However, things like a change of the seasons can still bring down their health. Temperature is extremely important, and it’s also one of the hardest aspects to control.
If you live somewhere with hot summers, one good idea is to spray their cage with water every once in a while. This will help keep your parakeets cool. Another tip is to fill up your parakeet’s bathtub no more than an inch with lukewarm water and let them play around in it.
If you live somewhere with high humidity, it’s good to buy a dehumidifier and put it in the room where your parakeets live. Always keep in mind that they have a very sensitive respiratory system.
Other tips for taking care of your parakeets
Another good thing to do is to put their cage at eye level. That way they won’t be too high, or too low. It’s also best to put the cage on a stable piece of furniture or to hang it on the wall. Never put their cage on the washer or dryer, because they’re very sensitive to vibrations.
It’s also important to keep them away from TVs, because the sounds and light torture them. You have to keep them in a cool, shady place, but it’s also important for it to be bright because it’s good for their happiness. Of course, the most important thing of all is to give them love. They’re sensitive little animals, and they respond very well to signs of affection.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- Parakeet Care: Everything You Need to Know (2022), World of Birds. Recogido a 3 de enero de 2022 en https://worldbirds.com/parakeet-care/
- Parakeet (budgerigar) care, Animal Human Society. Recogido a 3 de enero de 2022 en https://www.animalhumanesociety.org/adoption/parakeet-budgerigar-care
This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.