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My Experience Raising Budgerigars (Parakeets): A Complete Guide for Beginners to Breeding

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Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.


SOBAT DRONE - Alhamdulillahirabbil ‘alamin, all praise is due to Allah. I want to share my personal experience and at the same time useful knowledge about one of the most fascinating pet birds, namely the budgerigar—commonly known as the parakeet.

At first, I dreamed of owning a lovebird, since it is a popular bird in Indonesia. However, my father offered another option: the parakeet. After searching around and finally buying a pair, I realized that budgerigars are among the best choices for beginners like me. They are not only cute and colorful, but also intelligent, relatively easy to care for, and have a cheerful chirping sound.

In this long article, I will discuss in detail everything related to budgerigars—from my buying journey, why they are a good choice, how to care for them, their food, their prices, and even the breeding potential. My hope is that this can become a complete and SEO-friendly reference for anyone who is interested in learning more about these lovely little birds.

Introduction to Budgerigars

Budgerigars belong to the Psittacidae family, the same family as parrots and cockatoos. Originating from Australia, they are now bred all over the world, including Indonesia.

They are known for their:

  • Vibrant feather colors (green, blue, yellow, white, and unique combinations).

  • Charming personalities—playful, active, and social.

  • Ability to mimic sounds—with proper training, some can even imitate human speech.

The average size of a budgerigar is around 17–20 cm with a long tail. Their lifespan ranges from 5 to 10 years if well cared for.

My Journey Buying Budgerigars

One afternoon, my father, my younger sibling, and I visited several bird shops around Bekasi. At first, we didn’t find the right one. Eventually, we went farther away until we arrived at a bigger bird shop that sold various types of birds: lovebirds, canaries, starlings, pleci, and parakeets.

It was there that we found the budgerigars we liked. After asking questions to the seller, I learned about some of the types commonly available in Indonesia:

  1. Lutino Budgerigar – bright yellow feathers, red eyes, highly attractive.

  2. Australian Budgerigar – slightly larger in size, comes in many color variations, usually more expensive.

  3. Local Indonesian Budgerigar – bred by local breeders, affordable, and suitable for beginners.

Since I was just starting, I decided to buy the local type. The price was only Rp 70,000 (about 5 USD) for a pair—one male and one female.

Why Choose Budgerigars?

Budgerigars are an excellent choice for first-time bird owners. Here are the reasons:

  • Affordable price compared to lovebirds or imported parrots.

  • Simple care requirements—they don’t need expensive food.

  • Friendly and tame—if handled gently, they quickly become comfortable with humans.

  • Cheerful chirping sound that brightens up the home atmosphere.

  • Breeding potential—a pair can produce offspring within a few months.

How to Tell Male and Female Budgerigars Apart

One of the first lessons I learned was how to distinguish between males and females.

  • Male Budgerigars: more active, brighter feather colors, and the cere (skin above the beak) is bluish.

  • Female Budgerigars: calmer in nature, cere is whitish or brownish.

This knowledge is important if you want to breed them later.

Feeding Budgerigars

Feeding budgerigars is relatively inexpensive and easy. Their main diet is millet seeds, which are widely available in bird shops. A kilogram of millet costs around Rp 12,000 (less than 1 USD) and can last for weeks.

In addition to millet, you can provide:

  • Fresh corn kernels.

  • Green leafy vegetables (spinach, kale).

  • Sunflower seeds or oats (as treats).

Clean drinking water should always be available, and the food containers must be washed regularly.

Daily Care Tips for Budgerigars

To keep your budgerigars healthy and happy, here are some care routines that I practice:

  1. Provide a spacious cage – allow them room to fly inside.

  2. Maintain hygiene – clean the cage and replace paper or sand at the bottom 2–3 times a week.

  3. Fresh food and water daily – prevent contamination and mold.

  4. Bathing time – spray them gently with mist once in a while to refresh their feathers.

  5. Natural sunlight – place the cage in indirect sunlight for vitamin D.

  6. Interaction and play – talk to them, whistle, or offer toys. This prevents stress and makes them friendlier.

Budgerigar Prices in Indonesia

Based on my research and the seller’s explanation, the prices vary depending on the type:

  • Local Budgerigars: Rp 35,000 – Rp 50,000 per bird.

  • Lutino Budgerigars: Rp 100,000 – Rp 200,000.

  • Australian Budgerigars: Rp 250,000 – Rp 500,000.

Thus, local budgerigars are the best option for beginners who want to start this hobby without spending too much.

Breeding Budgerigars

Besides being a hobby, budgerigars can also be a profitable side business. They reproduce relatively fast. If you provide a nesting box inside the cage, the female will lay eggs within a few months.

Important points for successful breeding:

  • Ensure the pair is mature (6–12 months old).

  • Provide a quiet and stress-free environment.

  • Offer nutritious food, especially corn and greens.

  • Place a wooden nest box with soft bedding inside the cage.

Many breeders in Indonesia have succeeded in making budgerigar breeding a steady income source.

Benefits of Raising Budgerigars

From my personal experience, there are many benefits to raising these little birds:

  1. Stress relief – listening to their chirps is relaxing after a long day.

  2. Responsibility training – I became more disciplined in feeding and cleaning daily.

  3. Love for animals – nurturing empathy and care for living creatures.

  4. Educational for children – teaching kids about nature and animal care.

  5. Business potential – selling chicks can provide extra income.

Challenges in Raising Budgerigars

Of course, keeping budgerigars also comes with challenges:

  • They are sensitive to dirty cages, so hygiene is crucial.

  • If neglected, they can become stressed and pluck their feathers.

  • They need social interaction; a lonely bird may become unhealthy.

However, with patience and consistent care, these challenges are manageable.

My Personal Reflections

Looking back, I feel grateful that my father encouraged me to get parakeets instead of lovebirds. They are cheerful companions, easy to care for, and bring life into our home.

Every morning when I remove the cage cover, I am greeted by their chirping. Every evening, I make sure they are fed and comfortable. It feels like having new friends at home.

I pray that these budgerigars remain healthy and live long, and maybe someday I will succeed in breeding them.

Conclusion

Raising budgerigars is not only fun but also beneficial in many aspects. They are inexpensive, beautiful, intelligent, and suitable for beginners.

From my journey of buying a pair at a bird shop in Bekasi, learning to feed them millet, distinguishing males and females, to understanding their breeding potential, every step has been a rewarding experience.

For anyone who is considering a first pet bird, I strongly recommend budgerigars. They are not just pets, but companions that bring joy, teach responsibility, and even offer opportunities for breeding and business.

Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

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