The budgerigar
Sociable and lively, never on its own
The budgerigar is one of the most widespread pet birds. Lively and sociable, she must never live alone: in Switzerland, keeping a gregarious bird on its own goes against the TSchV.
| Life expectancy | 6 to 10 years |
|---|---|
| Social life | Gregarious — in practice it is forbidden to keep one alone |
| Level required | Beginner |
| Legal framework | No permit required — find out more |
Its essential needs
- At least two birds: solitude is a form of suffering for a gregarious species.
- The largest possible aviary and time to fly outside the cage.
- Things to chew and to keep her busy (boredom leads birds to pluck their feathers).
- A varied diet, not only fatty seeds.
Key health points
- A budgerigar that pulls out her feathers (this is called feather plucking) is almost always expressing distress: boredom, loneliness or stress. It is not a skin disease to begin with, but a call for help — more company (ideally a companion of the same species), more toys and more attention often solve the problem if it is caught early.
- Tumours and liver disease are common, especially in budgerigars fed too much fat or on seeds alone. Be wary of a budgerigar that keeps her feathers fluffed up all the time, breathes with difficulty, or whose belly is getting bigger: have her seen without delay.
- Look regularly at her beak and her feet: a beak growing crookedly, or crusty deposits on the feet and on the cere (above the beak), can point to a parasite (mange) or a liver problem, both of which respond well to treatment if seen early.
In Switzerland: no permit required No permit required, but keeping is subject to the TSchV requirements on living conditions: minimum space, social contact, and appropriate feeding and care. Legal framework in detail →
A word from the Au Furet practice A budgerigar that grinds her beak softly before sleeping is content — that is a good sign.
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