Budgerigar
The UK's most popular pet bird — sociable, intelligent and highly vocal. Budgies must be kept in pairs or groups and need daily flight time outside the cage.
Key facts
Lifespan
5–10 years
Grooming
Low
Shedding
Low
First-time owners
Suitable
About the Budgerigar
Budgerigars are small Australian parakeets that live in flocks in the wild, and a solitary budgie is a lonely one. They need a wide cage rather than a tall one, several hours of supervised free flight daily, and constant enrichment — foraging toys, chewables and companions. Many learn to mimic speech. Air fryers, non-stick pans and scented candles release fumes that can kill birds very quickly.
Living with a Budgerigar
Pairs or small groups in a wide flight cage (minimum 75cm wide), plus several hours of daily out-of-cage flight.
- Good with children
- Good with other pets
- Suitable for first-time owners
Health
Conditions this breed is commonly predisposed to. This is general information, not veterinary advice — speak to a vet about any specific animal.
- Fatty liver disease and obesity from an all-seed diet
- Scaly face mites
- Psittacosis; egg binding in hens
- Extreme sensitivity to PTFE/non-stick fumes and aerosols
Ask the breeder for
- Check for clean vent, smooth cere and no laboured breathing
Buying a Budgerigar
Buy at least two. Feed a pellet-based diet with vegetables rather than seed alone, and never use non-stick cookware in a house with birds.
Read the full safe-buying guideBudgerigars for sale
No Budgerigar adverts are live right now. New adverts are posted daily — or set your sights a little wider.
All birds for saleBudgerigar FAQs
How long do Budgerigars live?
A Budgerigar typically lives 5–10 years.
Are Budgerigars good for first-time owners?
Yes — Budgerigars are generally suitable for sensible first-time owners who will train and exercise them consistently.
What health tests should a Budgerigar breeder have done?
Check for clean vent, smooth cere and no laboured breathing.
Breed information is general guidance compiled by the PetHome team. Every animal is an individual — meet it, and its mother, before you commit. This is not veterinary advice.