Choosing the right pet for the house can sometimes be a complicated task. A number of factors intervene when making our selection: time, space, resources and more. The worst of all happens when all the members of the household finally decide on a certain type of pet, but in the end they have no knowledge about it. If it was your selection or that of your child to have an Australian Parakeet, we will provide you with the essentials so that you know if it is suitable for your home.
A Parakeet that is originally from the Australian continent.
As expected and as its name indicates, this parakeet is originally from Australia, although due to its acceptance as pets it is almost normal to find it in any country in the world. Its scientific name is Melopsittacus undulates and it alone is a member of the Melopsittacus genus. The Budgie or Common Budgie is divided into two types, Northern and Western, due to variations in color and size. Some specialists in ornithology question this differentiation, since the differences are barely appreciable and most of the time the areas in which they are distributed coincide for both subspecies, resulting in mating between the two.
What is your appearance?
Although the Melopsittacus undulates should not exceed 19 cm (always measuring from the head to the tip of its tail), due to the wide variety of alterations made by breeders, there are mutations in which its size is slightly larger. This is the case of the English parakeet, which is nothing more than a mutation of that species. Its weight ranges between 35 g more or less. It has a downward curved beak, on its legs two toes point forward and two toes point back, which makes it easier for it to climb branches and feed.
In the wild, the green color with a yellow head predominates, since the blue, albino or violet specimens do not last long because predators locate them easily, but in captivity it is almost normal to see them in almost any color. They usually make short sounds to communicate and express feelings. The males have the upper part of their beaks bright blue and tend to make many more calls than the females. Although their forte is not the imitation of sounds, if it is taught calmly and skillfully, it is possible for them to learn easy words and the occasional melody.
How to determine the sex of an Australian parakeet?
It is important to know that if we want to take a couple homes, it is necessary to know a little about how to differentiate their sex to avoid being ripped off, because when they are just born, differentiating their sex becomes elusive. To carry out this task we have to pay attention to the upper part of the beak, which is nothing more than what specialists call the wax. Pink, blue, or purple colors predominate in the care of males before they are one month old. The females in this same stage have it of very varied colors.
Tips for an Australian Parakeet
Before buying a couple you should know the sex:
- Specialists recommend waiting better after three months of life to select a specimen of a certain sex.
- Weeks after the females are one month old; they turn white, while the males turn blue.
The Australian Parakeet as our pet.
Budgies are ideal as cute pets for the home. They thrive as they interact with their owners. Females love to nibble, so it would be ideal to always have pebbles or branches on hand to help keep their beak healthy.
In captivity they live approximately 4 to 5 years, but if they are cared for properly they can last up to 15 years. In captivity they can suffer conditions such as diarrhea, colds, and lacerations in the skin of their legs and even when they are old they could present tumors near the beak in very dirty environments.
How to feed them:
How to feed a Parakeet is a frequently asked question. Their diet is mainly focused on canary seed and millet, although the correct thing would be to complement it with other seeds or vegetables such as lettuce, corn, spinach, watercress, carrot, etc. Fruits can also be part of their diet or even once in a while they can be given a piece of bread or a biscuit, always avoiding very sweet foods.
If you wanted to yearn for a treat, the right thing to do would be to go to a pet store where you can buy biscuits and other supplements that have been manufactured specifically for these species. If he gets used to variety in his diet from a young age, he will eat almost anything, so you will not have any work when it comes to food.
Breeding in Captivity?
If we try to reproduce in captivity, the Australian parakeets have no problems. This is a relatively easy chore for this strain. To induce reproduction, it is enough to place a nest in which the female can remain in the dark. They can lay up to 9 eggs and their incubation will be eighteen days. It is only important to take into account the necessary conditions for their reproduction, such as, for example, enough space and placing the nests at a prudent height to prevent the young from falling and dying.
In short, it’s all about the desire you put into these little creatures. Take care of providing shelter and they will not hesitate to provide love, harmony and beauty to your home.
