Most people love to have birds around as pets, particularly parrots. They can get used to humans quickly and do not require a lot of effort for their maintenance and upkeep. You will come across a lot of individuals who have budgies or parakeets for pets. These are smaller than parrots, very friendly and quiet in nature as compared to the larger birds.

Blue parakeets are highly preferred by both adults and children, are highly social, and can live up to more than 10 years if cared for properly.

Where Are Blue Parakeets Found?

You might find this interesting but budgies or parakeets are not native to the United States. In fact, the bird was not even found in the region until the 1800s. Originally, the bird was not seen as a popular pet but only found in the wild.

Its name, which translates to “song bird to wavy lines” in Latin, actually comes from how people used to describe it back in the day. Interestingly, the blue parakeet is a result of selective breeding and has become a preferred choice of pet for people across the globe.

These birds are usually bred in captivity and seen in shops or stores. The wild budgies are green in color and native to Australia. You won’t have many people with green or yellow parakeets in their houses.

History of Parakeets 

There are very few individuals who know that “budgie” stems from budgerigar and is only referred to as a parakeet within the United States. The bird was brought into Europe during 1830 by John Gould and Charles Coxen. The wealthy aristocrats were quite impressed by these budgies and began to actively breed them as pets within their homes.

In fact, they became a symbol of status in old Europe during the time. In 1850, wild budgies attracted a large crowd at Antwerp Zoo in Belgium. This is when people from all walks of life began to show interest in the birds and they were not only restricted to the homes of the wealthy.

Due to the rising popularity of the birds, Australian authorities became worried about their habitat being disturbed and banned them from being exported or traded in 1894. After that, people everywhere started breeding them. As their numbers rose, they began to move around the world and made their way to America in 1920. Within the United States, the bird came to be known as a parakeet.

What to Know About the Blue Parakeet

As it has been mentioned above, the parakeets weren’t recognized in America until the 20th century. As people began to become familiar with their friendly traits and characteristics, they became commonly adored pets in a lot of households. The blue parakeet is quite unique and can become close to its owner or family in a short span of time.

With the right care and effort, these birds can live 10 to 15 years and are quite intelligent as well. If you spend time on their mental stimulation by using toys or musical instruments to entertain them, they can almost become like a friend living with you.

Physical Appearance of Blue Parakeets

This is one bird that stands out for its appearance, which is quite different from the wild ones. The budgies that live in their natural habitat have green or yellow feathers. They have spots or stripes on their heads, tails, and wings as well.

When it comes to the physical appearance of the blue parakeet, the bird has a blue plumage and typically black and grey feathers from the top of the head to the back. They are six to eight inches long and ideally weigh around one ounce or less.

Like most parrots, it can fly up to great heights but as a pet, it’ll actively go around the room once or twice and get its exercise.

Maintenance and Care of Blue Parakeets

The life expectancy of parakeets is quite high and unless they are met by accident or neglected, the bird can stay with you for years. It is known to last more time than dogs or cats as well. Sometimes, people are not aware of the proper way to take care of them, which is why blue parakeets can be prone to certain diseases.

Those individuals who just get the birds as pets because they are a less expensive option should avoid investing in them. Keeping blue parakeets requires time and attention. If not fed the right diet or set up within a spacious cage, they are likely to become obese, experience foot and skin infections, and even develop deadly diseases such as liver tumors.

Diet

The wild budgies typically feed on plant material on the ground and flower seeds that they find. Blue parakeets that are kept as pets can be given fresh fruit, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. While you may want to keep them on a primary diet of bird seed, you should give them foods such as bananas or grapes.

If your blue parakeet rejects a few fruits or vegetables, it doesn’t mean that the bird is ill or unwell. They may simply not like the item or would prefer something else. Sometimes, baby food also works as a healthy diet for pet parakeets.

While most natural food items are good for the bird, there is one item that should be completely avoided and kept away from your blue parakeet.

What to Avoid

Avocados are considered toxic and can poison them over time. The ones found in Guatemala are commonly stored on the shelves in stores. There is a chemical in these avocados called persin and cannot be digested by blue parakeets.

In case your pet consumes this item, you should immediately watch out for the symptoms that include restricted breathing and the inability to perch. If the bird begins to show any of these, you have to immediately take it to the vet.

Living Conditions

Blue parakeets are highly active birds and do not do well within small or congested spaces. It’s why you should make sure that their cage is wide and big enough for them to fly around. Blue parakeets can adapt to home temperature quickly so if you like your home too warm or cold, you should keep in mind that they can have problems with it.

Takeaways

Blue parakeets can make great pets and can become a friend for at least a decade. If you get one as a child, it will stay with you until you leave for college. It is important to care for them in the best way possible and keep in mind that they require frequent attention. These birds are not something that you can just get to put in a corner of your house. They will need maintenance and stimulation for a healthy life.