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Parakeet or Budgie
Now You Know
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A rose is a rose
is a rose … but a budgie is a budgerigar is a keet is a parakeet – at least to
the average person. Most people are confused as to whether a budgie is a
parakeet or a parakeet is a budgie or whether they are entirely different birds.
In the United States, the term “budgie” usually refers to the English exhibition
or show parakeet, while in Great Britain, “budgie” refers to any keet.
Budgerigar is an Aborigine phrase that means “good to eat.”
Whatever you call it, the budgie is one of the most popular pet birds in the
world today. Native to Australia, it is a member of the Melopsittacus
undulatus, which includes the American parakeet, English parakeet, shell
parakeet, budgie and budgerigar. Bird experts prefer that budgies not be called
parakeets, since parakeet is a common term for several small parrot-type
birds with long tails. A budgie is a parakeet but a parakeet is not always a
budgie.
The
ringneck parakeet (Psittacula krameri) is fast becoming the most
popular of all parakeet species. Like the budgie, the ringneck is hardy,
easily tamed, learns speech easily and has a vast array of beautiful
colors. These elegant birds have been adored pets since early Roman
times when they were considered status symbols, and professional
teachers were employed to teach them to speak and perform.
The Indian ringneck is best known and most generally available. Elegant
ringneck parakeets come in a variety of pastel shades ranging from
buttercup yellow to lime green to numerous shades of blue. They have
distinguishing rings adorning their necks and long tapered tails. They
have a natural, perfect feather condition and always look groomed. Males
generally have a red beak. The Indian ringneck is about 16 inches in
length, while the African is slightly smaller.
Subspecies
P. k. manillensis, the Indian ringneck, is found in south
India and Ceylon.
P. k. krameri, the African ringneck, is found in western
and central Africa in Guinea and Senegal.
P. k. borealis, Neumann's ringneck, is found in West
Pakistan, Northern India and Nepal.
P. k. parvirostris, the Abyssinian ringneck, is found in
Ethiopia and Sudan
Behavior and Personality
These friendly birds make excellent pets, provided they are handled
frequently when young and then throughout their lives. They like being
stroked in the direction of their feather growth, and they can learn to
do tricks.
When taught carefully, ringnecks are able to learn to talk and their
speaking ability can outrank that of the cockatiel or similar smaller
birds. They begin talking at around one year of age and can sometimes
learn up to 250 words, although their speech may not be as clear as the
larger parrots. Most speaking success depends on the amount and quality
of time spend with their owner.
Ringnecks are highly intelligent and able to observe and learn behavior
very easily. Curiosity is always peaked when something new is introduced
into the environment, and they love to explore. Ringnecks can become
territorial in regards to their cages or other play areas. Their
vocalization can be very grating if they are frightened, or something
doesn't seem right in their environment.
Ringnecks live 15 to 30 years.
Housing
Because of their long tails, ringnecks need tall cages, and the cage
should be as large as possible. A minimum size for a single pet would be
36 inches by 18 inches by 24 inches. Place their cage where they can
enjoy an outside view or where they can watch television, especially
when they are alone for long periods of time.
When housing 2 or more together for breeding or display it is strongly
suggested that a minimum size would be 6 feet by 12 feet by 4 feet. The
females can become very aggressive towards the males, especially out of
the breeding season, the added space allows the male to escape if
needed.
The ringneck is a very swift and strong flyer and allowing them to fly
will keep them strong and healthy. If you have a small cage make sure
you have a perch or other play area where the bird can come out to
exercise and play daily. Perches of different diameters and shapes will
keep their feet in good condition.
Ringnecks are very playful and need to have a variety of toys. Rotate
them often to keep them from getting bored. They especially enjoy wood
shapes, wood beads, strips of rawhide, cardboard tubes, plastic rings in
bright colors, small balls with holes, any of the numerous hand held
toys, pieces of wood with nuts, and pieces of rope tied in knots. They
love to chew and should have a constant supply of wooden chew toys. A
piece of 2 by 4 will allow them the enjoyment of chewing the soft wood
thus keeping the beak in good condition as well.
Ringnecks use their feet to manipulate foods and other items in the
environment. They will sit and hold a toy and chew on it for long
periods of time. They are very intelligent animals and need the
stimulation of intricate things to take apart. Be very aware that the
toys you buy are "bird safe" because the ringneck will attempt to take
almost anything apart.
Grooming
Bathing keeps the feathers glossy and beautiful. Although ringnecks are
not usually fond of water, you can spray your pet with warm water from a
misting bottle. Ringnecks are capable of great speed, and it is wise to
keep their wings clipped to prevent injury and escape and to assist in
maintaining their tame nature.
Diet
In the wild, ringneck parakeets eat grain, fruit, berries, nectar,
blossoms and some seed. Pet ringnecks enjoy a pelleted diet or standard
cockatiel seed mixtures supplemented with pellets. You should also offer
fresh fruit and vegetables, cooked beans and bits of table food. They
especially like corn on the cob and occasional unsalted pistachios.
Provide an adequate supply of fresh water daily.
Breeding
Breeding seasons vary, but usually starts from December to June. It's
best to isolate pairs as they can be aggressive before and during
breeding. You should provide a nest box measuring 10 inches by 10 inches
by 20 inches or more deep. In nature, they usually take over the empty
nesting sites of other birds and chew the opening to enlarge it to their
individual liking and, once inside, they chew or mulch the wood to make
a soft lining for their nest cavity.
The clutch is normally 2 to 6 eggs. Incubation is 21 to 24 days, and
both partners brood. Hatchlings typically fledge in 6 to 7 weeks.
Mutations
The potential for various color mutations is astounding. A new mutation
is caused by a defective gene that changes the color and/or pattern of
any bird. Establishing a mutation can take years.
One of the most popular in the ringneck is the lutino ringneck, a pure
yellow with a red beak and pink eyes. Their feet and legs are
flesh-colored and the characteristic neck ring is a rose. The blue
ringneck is also becoming readily available; these offer soft muted
shades of powdery blue with a soft grayish-white neck ring edged with
black. The feet and legs are gray and the bill is red. Pairing the
lutino with a blue results in a breath-taking albino. These birds have
no neck collar and male and female are identical.
Other notable mutations include the cinnamon, a lime yellow with
cinnamon flight and tail feathers; the gray with plumage consisting of
shades of black, silver and gray; a cream albino with red eyes and white
coloring; and the white-headed blue.
Common Diseases and Disorders
Ringneck parakeets are relatively healthy birds. The following diseases
have been reported in this species:
Aspergillosis (fungal disease)
Bacterial infections (pneumonia)
Hypovitaminosis A
Psittacosis
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