Our latest exploration into the world of bird watching technologies led us to the Gigalumi Smart Bird Feeder, and we’re thoroughly impressed by the features it offers.

With its on-demand bird watching capabilities, this smart feeder allows us to view and capture high-definition videos of our avian visitors directly through our phones.

The included solar panel is a handy addition for eco-conscious users, ensuring the device remains powered without constant maintenance.

At the core of the product is its patent bird-friendly design—durable, weatherproof, and with a spacious food container that draws in a variety of bird species invitingly.

Moreover, our experience with the crystal-clear night vision feature has been nothing short of amazing.

It allows us to observe nocturnal feathers in vivid color, adding a new dimension to our birding experience.

Although we experienced a brief learning curve with the app notifications, once configured, the real-time alerts of visiting birds kept us engaged without being overly intrusive.

Bottom Line

The Gigalumi Smart Bird Feeder brings a new level of interactive enchantment to our garden’s ambiance. For those who cherish nature’s wonders, this smart bird feeder is a substantial investment.

The device’s ease of use, combined with its ability to connect us with a vast community of bird lovers, enhances both our appreciation for wildlife and our family bonding time.

So, if you’re ready to transform your bird watching journey, you can get the Gigalumi Smart Bird Feeder for a closer, real-time look at the array of feathered friends visiting your backyard.

Gigalumi Smart Bird Feeder Overview

We’ve had the pleasure of experiencing a refreshing twist to birdwatching with the Gigalumi Smart Bird Feeder. It’s an innovative gadget that not only serves as a durable home for our feathery friends but brings the action right to our smartphones.

Its effortless setup and reliable solar power feature keep it constantly ready for action.

The high-resolution camera with its night vision capability gave us vibrant, crisp images of nocturnal visits without missing a beat.

The zoom function allowed us to appreciate the intricate details of feathers from a comfortable distance.

We noted its proficiency in maintaining a stable Wi-Fi connection, which means uninterrupted streaming of bird activity.

Its design caters to the welfare of birds, with a large capacity for bird food and protection against the elements.

We noticed a substantial amount of avian traffic thanks to these thoughtful features.

Sharing captivating bird moments with family and friends was not only effortless but also allowed us to connect with a community of bird enthusiasts globally.

Despite these positives, we did experience a slight delay in notifications, which could be a minor setback for those expecting real-time alerts.

But even with that, it’s been a joyful addition to our birdwatching gear, adding a layer of interaction and sharing that traditional feeders can’t match.

Real-Time Bird Watching

We recently had the opportunity to experience the Gigalumi Smart Bird Feeder, and it offered a surprisingly intimate view into the world of our feathered friends.

The device sends instant alerts to your phone when birds visit, ensuring you won’t miss any exciting sightings.

We found the 1080P color night vision to be notably sharp, capturing vivid details of birds under varying light conditions, although occasionally, the notifications seemed to have a slight delay.

One standout feature is the bird-friendly design – an IP65 weatherproof and sturdy structure with a spacious food container, which meant less frequent refills and no worries about food spoilage due to rain.

Admittedly, our excitement was shared; the ability to distribute charming bird captures among ourselves and friends added a layer of joy to bird watching.

While the setup process was straightforward, it’s worth mentioning the Wi-Fi connectivity hinges solely on a 2.4ghz signal, yet the added 5dBi antenna seemed to enhance its stability.

We noticed an increase in avian visitors, perhaps attracted by the feeder’s inviting design, which served as both an ornament and a magnet for wildlife in our backyard.

In sum, the Gigalumi Smart Bird Feeder provides an interactive and delightful way to observe birds, although perfecting your experience might require minor troubleshooting with app notifications and ensuring stable Wi-Fi connectivity.

High-Definition Night Vision

When we set out to experience bird watching with the Gigalumi Smart Bird Feeder, we didn’t expect the crisp clarity of its night vision capabilities.

Witnessing the nocturnal activities of feathered friends in full color is nothing short of remarkable.

Even under the veil of night, the 1080P resolution camera doesn’t miss a beat, capturing the birds in vibrant detail.

It should be mentioned that although it doesn’t directly list specs, this feeder with camera combo excels at picking up those subtle features—the patterns of feathers, the glint in a bird’s eye—thanks to its 8X magnification.

Seamless connection to Wi-Fi ensures that these nocturnal moments are delivered to us without interruption.

However, it’s not all about the technology.

There’s a sense of pure joy when birds visit after dusk and the feeder allows us to observe without disturbing their natural behavior.

Sure, there’s a slight lag in notifications at times, but the anticipation makes the eventual viewing all the more rewarding.

The integration of a stable power source, provided by a solar panel, is an intelligent touch ensuring those intimate night-time interactions aren’t missed.

Witnessing this nighttime ballet of birds has become a highlight for us, offering a new perspective on a cherished pastime.

Design Tailored for Birds

When we consider the Gigalumi Smart Bird Feeder, it’s immediately clear that this isn’t just another birdhouse.

Its patent design is created specifically with our feathered friends in mind.

The feeder’s capacity is generous, reducing the need to frequently refill while ensuring plenty of food for visiting birds.

As an added bonus for birdwatchers like us, the weatherproof nature of the feeder keeps the seeds dry, preventing mold and keeping our bird visitors healthy.

From our experience with the product, we’ve appreciated the thoughtful touches designed to appeal to birds of all kinds.

The Birdfy feeder stands as a sturdy and safe haven against the elements, which is especially reassuring during unpredictable weather.

Seeing birds flock to its welcoming design has been a delight—not just for casual viewing but for those moments captured by the cleverly integrated camera.

Although we’ve adored watching the birds up close with the high-definition camera, we noted that a 2.4ghz Wi-Fi connection is necessary to maintain a stable link to all the action.

For tech-savvy bird lovers, the tech integration is a boon, yet it may present a slight learning curve for others.

Nonetheless, the joy of sharing bird encounters with family and birdwatcher communities is unparalleled, an experience that effortlessly connects us with nature and each other.

Family Bonding and Community Engagement

We’ve found that the Gigalumi Smart Bird Feeder is more than just a gadget; it’s a means to bring families together and engage with a global community of bird lovers.

Watching colorful visitors together turns into a shared hobby, sparking intrigue and conversation among family members.

It’s delightful to see how quickly it can become a central part of family time, where everyone gathers to enjoy nature’s simplicity and beauty.

However, maintaining the feeder can require some commitment, as we’ve noticed that our feathered friends are frequent visitors and we need to refill it quite often.

Despite this, the bird feeder’s large capacity means less frequent refilling, allowing us more uninterrupted bird watching.

Sharing snapshots and videos with friends has never been easier, fostering connections far beyond our own backyard.

On the flip side, the notification delay on the app can sometimes cause us to miss live visits.

Regardless, the Birdfy turns bird watching into a collaborative experience, whether we’re comparing sightings with neighbors or sharing in the excitement of the community’s rare bird sightings.

It’s certainly given us a deeper appreciation for our local ecosystem and the global network of those who cherish it.

Pros and Cons

Having spent ample time observing our feathered friends through the Birdfy feeder’s lens, we’re well-positioned to give you a balanced look at what works well and what could be improved.

Pros

• Real-Time Notifications: We receive instant alerts on our phones whenever a bird visits, making sure we don’t miss any winged guests.
• High-Resolution Observations: The 1080P camera captures birds in incredible detail, even at night, enhancing our bird-watching experiences.
• Ease of Use: From setup to daily enjoyment, the process is straightforward. We particularly appreciate the phone app’s user-friendly interface.
• Large Capacity: The feeder holds a substantial amount of bird food, reducing the frequency of refills.
• Weatherproof and Durable: It’s built to withstand outdoor conditions beautifully, and has a stable mount, giving us peace of mind regardless of the weather.
• Social Sharing: Sharing captured moments with a community of bird enthusiasts has never been easier, which adds a lovely social dimension to our hobby.
• Solar Charging: The included solar panel is efficient and eliminates the hassle of regular battery charging.

Cons

• Signal Dependency: Although the connection is mostly stable, it relies on having a consistent 2.4GHz Wi-Fi signal, which could be a con for some remote locations.
• Notification Delays: We’ve noted some lag between the actual visit and the notification, which can sometimes dampen the immediacy of the experience.
• Attracts Lots of Birds: Surprisingly, this can be a downside as the feeder might require more frequent refills due to its popularity among the birds in our yard.
• Camera Placement: We found that strategic placement is key. If it’s not ideal, we might not get the best viewing angles of the birds.

Conclusion

In our time observing the Gigalumi Smart Bird Feeder, we’ve found it to be a delightful addition to any bird lover’s garden. The camera clarity is impressive, allowing for stunning visuals of our feathered friends.

The device syncs seamlessly with the app, providing a convenient way to share the joys of birdwatching. While the notifications might experience slight delays, the overall functionality remains robust.

The battery life is commendable, further enhanced by the Solar Lite feature, eliminating the frequent need for recharging. Installation is a breeze, and the feeder itself attracts an array of bird species, some of which were pleasantly unexpected visitors to our yard.

Although the feeder requires regular refills due to its popularity among the birds, this is hardly a drawback considering the enjoyment we’ve derived from the vivid images and videos captured. Overall, the Gigalumi Smart Bird Feeder strikes a balance between functionality and pleasure, making it a worthy investment for those passionate about avian life.

The process of candling allows you to view the interior of an egg.

• The series of images (and the most life-like) courtesy of Brinsea – the leaders in egg incubation
• The amazing “Inside View” graphic is courtesy of Susanne Russo.
• The next photo series was produced by the University of California, Davis. It features candled eggs — Day 1 through Day 17 (please click on photos for enlarged images, with additional information).
• Next, the photos of candled cockatiel eggs – courtesy of the Parrot Society of United Kingdom — including some incredible hatching photos.
• Also of interest:
  • Embryo Development (explains what happens inside the developing egg) … Glossary
  • Causes of Infertility and Poor Hatching Rates… Dead-in-Shell / Embryo Mortality

THE IMAGES BELOW BY BRINSEA PRODUCTS INC. – THE LEADER IN EGG INCUBATION

Orange-Winged Amazon Parrot Incubation Series

© 1998 UC Regents, University of California, Davis

Permission to publish the below photo series was kindly provided by Professor James R. Millam, Department of Animal Science – animalscience.ucdavis.edu/laboratory/millam … Please note that some additional information was added by beautyofbirds.com for clarification.

Day 1

Beginning of the alimentary tract; vertebral column; nervous system and head

Day 2

Beginning of ears and heart. Heart is beating.

Day 3

Beginning of nose, legs and wings

Day 4

Beginning of tongue.

Day 5

Formation of reproductive organs.

Day 6

Beginning of the beak.

Day 7

Day 8

Beginning of feathers.

Day 9

Day 10

Beginning of hardening of beak.

Day 11

Appearance of scales and claws

Day 12

Day 13

Day 14

Day 15

Day 16

Scales, claws and beak becoming firm

Day 17

Beak turns toward air cell

Day 19

Yolk sac begins to enter body cavity

Day 20

The chick is in hatching position. It has pierced the air cell with its beak. Pulmonary respiration has begun.

Day 21 (average for poultry)

The chick breaks the shell with its egg tooth (the sharp horny structure on the upper beak, which will disappear within days of hatching). An enlargement in a muscle in the back of the neck also helps the chick force the egg tooth through the shell.

Development of the chick inside an egg

The Parrot Society of United Kingdom was so kind to allow us to publish these really interesting illustrations that show the development of the chick inside the egg — at its different stages of development.

Infected birds typically show various degrees of crusty thickened growths around the eyes. In extreme cases, these growths can completely cover the eye. Eyes are often swollen, reddish as well as watery. Birds with conjunctivitis may also suffer from associated respiratory problems, which can result in death. (Please refer to the photo at the bottom)

Conjunctivitis can be caused by a number of factors, to including injuries, bacteria, fungi, nematodes, and protozoa. Diagnostic testing is necessary to determine exactly what causes each case of conjunctivitis.

Swollen eyes may also be caused by psittacosis (usually only affects one eye) or mycoplasma (plus myriad other health problems).

Traditional Treatment Protocol

If it is mycoplasma, a vet would typically prescribe Tylosine or Doxycicline (antibiotics) – both of which can usually be purchased at a pigeon or chicken supply store.

Dr. Cindi Bossart of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has developed a spray that has shown effectiveness in treating conjunctivitis or chronic sinusitis.

• 200 mg Tylosin (Tylan® injectable)
• 150 mg Gentamicin (Gentocin® injectable)
• 3 cc Flucort® (flumethasone); or you could use 8 mg Dexamethasone (Azium® injectable)
• 3 cc Avitron® (a bird vitamin available at regular pet stores) or 6 cc of Anjacome® (an injectable vitamin)
• 1 quart (filtered) water

Spray mixture 2-3 times a day, getting the bird very wet (head, eye area, even mouth without drowning). Keep bird warm after spraying.

Holistic Treatments:

• Colldodial silver is a recognized remedy for eyes
• Eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis) – also commonly referred to as Eyebright Meadow or Eyebright Red. Botanical blend sold as an eyewash. One of the best remedies for pets (including birds) with eye problems, such as conjunctivitis, blepharitis of the eyes, infectious and allergic reactions affecting the eye. Caution is advised when using the eyebright herb in the treatment of dry and stuffy congestions, even though the eyebright is capable of alleviating liquid mucous, the astringent quality of the herb can often worsen dry or stuffy disorders in the inflamed tissues.
• Rue Fennel Compound is soothing, cleansing and astringent blend of liquid extracts that help with irritated, inflamed or infected eyes in humans and may also be helpful with birds (discuss with a holistic vet)

House Finch Eye Disease, also known as Mycoplasmal Conjunctivitis

Originally this disease affected mainly domestic turkeys and chickens, but this disease has been observed in House Finches since the 1990s and also affects several other species, including – but not limited to – American Goldfinch, Evening Grosbeak, and Purple Finch, to a lesser degree.

Often observed in birds at bird feeders or water baths – both of which are implicated in the spread of this disease. Once this disease is observed in your garden, any bird feeder and bird bath should be removed for at least a couple of weeks and thoroughly sanitized before reusing.

You can help monitor the spread of this disease by contributing to the House Finch Disease Survey. For more information, visit the web site or call (800) 843–2473.

Symptoms: Infected birds may have red, swollen, runny or crusty eyes. In severe cases, the eyes become swollen shut and the bird becomes blind and unable to fend for itself. You might observe an infected bird sitting quietly in your yard, clumsily scratching an eye against its foot or a perch. While some infected birds recover, many die from starvation, exposure, or predation.

Additional symptoms may be respiratory distress (open beak) and tail-bobbing. (Treatment options above)

You should never give your bird the following:

• refined sugar
• refined white flour
• dairy products (with the exception of non or low-fat organic yogurt)
• salt (although if bloodwork shows low sodium…occasionally a little salt in the diet may improve plucking, but if sodium is normal, then adding salt could harm kidneys)
• fried foods
• dried fruit that contain sulphur dioxide
• chemical preservatives
• chemical dyes
• artificial flavoring

We suggest that you start out by NOT offering the following foods to your bird to see if you see improvement:

• soy
• corn (found in packaged foods/mixes or manufactured foods)
• table corn  used as a vegetable should be ok, corn causing the most allergies is dent or field corn
• spirulina
• wheat
• peanuts
• sweet potato
• sunflower seed
• semolina

IF the plucking CONTINUES then you may also want to try removing the following gluten grains:

• rye
• barley
• spelt
• kamut
• oats in some cases
• wheat

If plucking stops after taking away the rye, barley, wheat, spelt, kamut and oats you can try slowly reintroducing them later, after the plucking has stopped.

Other foods that you may wish to try eliminating would be members of the nightshade family:

• sweet peppers
• potato
• tomato
• corn

After eliminating any foods from the diet, and leaving them out for several weeks to months, you can then slowly add them back into the diet one by one, and watch for any reactions. If you don’t see any reaction to reintroduced food, then an allergy to those foods most likely isn’t a problem. IF you reintroduce soy, the recommended soy is edamame or green soybean which looks like big snap peas. Tofu in small amounts may be ok as well.

Captive Foraging – the next best thing to being free…

One of the bet things that you can do for your bird is to teach it to forage. Not only is it physically stimulating, it also helps to keep them mentally occupied.

The diet to try for captive foraging is:

• Organic WHOLE grains soaked for 24 hours and then sprouted or lightly cooked (amaranth, quinoa, millet, spelt, kamut, barley, rye)
• Organic WHOLE legumes (lentils more protein) ( mung and adzuki are most easily digested) soaked for 10-24 hours and then cooked. Bring to boil for 10 min., simmer for 20 min.  If you sprout legumes, sprout until you have at least 1/4 ” tails, preferably longer.
• Organic greens and veggies in season such as dandelion leaves,collards, kale, carrot tops, radish tops, dark leafy lettuce, bok choy, celery, cucumber, mustard greens, fennel, broccoli, cauliflower, radish, beet root, cactus leaves, okra
• Organic fruits in season such as apple, papaya,mango, pineapple, banana, fig, coconut, berries, melon
• Finely minced garlic..for a small bird only about 1/8 of a clove, a large bird 1/4 clove, mixed into food a few times a week, NO more than once a day.
• A small bit of FRESH ginger no more than a few times a week
• Supplement with a small amount of powdered alfalfa, you can purchase capsules. suggested amounts: 1/8 capsule for birds up to 250 g, 1/4 capsule 250-500g, 1/3 capsule 500g-750 g, 1/2 capsule 750g-100g.
• Also supplement with a tiny bit of kelp. It’s best to add a small amount of kelp to a recipe that lasts a few days. On a daily basis, the amount of powdered kelp would be like what you may fit on the end of a pen. A suggested amount of powdered kelp is: 1/10 of 1/4 teasp. per day for a medium sized parrot…that’s how tiny! For a plucker, you may try giving kelp daily for about 6 weeks and then after that time give kelp 3-4 days of the week. Kelp can help to stimulate a sluggish thyroid but it has been found that too much kelp, or if given daily  for a long period of time, that it can inhibit thyroid activity, which could possibly lead to plucking. Which is why the small dosage is so very important!
• A quality refrigerated cold pressed flaxseed or hempseed oil … (*Hemp Seeds are often referred to as “super-seeds” as they offer a complete amino acid profile, have an ideal balance of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids (Ref. GreenAndHealthy.info), and provide an impressive amount of trace minerals – they also have the highest concentration of protein in the plant kingdom.)
• An unrefined palm oil a few times a week instead of the flax or hemp seed oil
• Quality probiotics: Psittacine-specific probiotics (good bacterial normally found in parrots) should be offered to help compete with potentially / harmful pathogenic bacteria … Why is Lactobacillus Acidolphilus so Important to your Bird’s Health?
• A squirt of apple cider vinegar on fresh foods (approximately 1/4 teasp birds up to 250g, 1/2 teasp up to 500g etc). PLEASE NOTE: HEATED vinegar emits toxic fumes similar to carbon dioxide. Bird owners have lost their pets by adding vinegar to their dish-washing cycle, or used it to clean coffee machines.
• Raspberries. You can use fresh or frozen..thawed. Mix a few daily into fresh foods.Put through food processor is you need to.

Optional:

• Veggie Magma or Berry Green powders
• Hemp protein powder

A recipe to help with skin inflammation and itching:

• 1 TBS. Hylands Calendula spray
• 1 Tsp. chickweed extract, non-alcohol or add a few drops boiling water to evaporate alcohol
• Put into 2 cups water, keep in fridge up to one week.

Another version that may be easier to obtain is:

• 1 TBS dried calendula herb
• 1 TBS dried chickweed herb
• Steep each herb in 1 cup of water for 5 minutes. Combine and store in refrigerator for up to one week. Use several times a day for 5 days.  Stop for 3 days to determine if another dose is needed. 

A holistic approach is usually needed so besides diet

• Take parrot outside for at least 20 min. of sun and fresh air, more is better, weather permitting of course. Be sure that your bird has adequate shade on sunny days.
• Daily exercise. Have your bird walk, maybe go up some stairs. Flap its wings on a hoop. If it flies, work on flight training. Supply plenty of activities and projects in its cage to keep busy/active.
• Bathe your bird several times a week. If it doesn’t like baths, don’t force them but gradually work on making bath time a good thing.

Bird owners should realize that using products with Teflon coating should not be used around birds. Other brand names with polytetraflouethylene non-stick coating are Silverstone, Fluron, Supra, Excalibur, Greblon, Xylon, Duracote, Resistal, Autograph and T-Fal. Some time ago, the San Antonio Zoo in Texas lost 21 birds in an outdoor aviary.

Their death was attributed to recently installed lights in an outdoor aviary. The bulbs had been coated with Polytetraflouethylene (PTFE). PTFE can also be found on cooking and baking utensils, electric cookers, portable heaters, irons with nonstick plates, self-cleaning ovens, some hair dryers and curling irons – to name a few. Ask the manufacturer if uncertain.

Self-cleaning ovens: Do not run the self-cleaning cycle on ovens when birds are around. Self-cleaning ovens are lined with PTFE (Teflon) and reach 900 degrees Fahrenheit during the self-cleaning cycle and emit gasses into the air that kill birds rather quickly.

Slow cookers that has a metal interior often have a non-stick (Teflon) coating. Better choices are stockpots made of ceramic, stainless steel, or other safe metal.

Aluminum Foil with Non-stick Coating: A new type of Aluminum Foil made by Renolds Wrap (also known as “quick release style”) has caused the death of some parrots. Pet owners, who may very well be aware of the dangers that cooking with non-stick pans can pose, are oblivious to the fact that any items with non-stick coating pose the same dangers. One person who did some baking with such nonstick-coated aluminum foil lost her pet birds shortly afterwards because of toxic off-gassing.

Stain-resistant Coating: PTFE coating can also be found on clothing and material (with “stain-resistant coating”). Carpet cleaning companies will try to sell you on “stain protection” coating — also PTFE!

Shatter Resistant or Safety-coated Light Bulbs are a potential source for toxic fumes that can be dangerous to birds. These bulbs have or may have a coating made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) which makes them shatter resistant. A veterinarian researched the death of a customer’s birds and found out that the coating heated up during the use of the bulb, and in the enclosed coop produced high enough concentrations of toxic fumes to kill the chickens.


DuPont Fined for Teflon Cover-Up : The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it will fine Teflon maker DuPont $16.5 million for two decades’ worth of covering up studies that showed it was polluting drinking water and newborn babies with an indestructible chemical. It was EWG’s petition that sparked EPA’s lawsuit against DuPont. The fine is the largest administrative fine the EPA has ever levied under a weak toxic chemical law. However, the $16.5 million fine is less than half of one percent of DuPont’s profits from Teflon from this time period, and a fraction of the $313 million the agency could have imposed. Yet another reason to strengthen our toxic chemical laws, which EWG is launching a campaign to do. Ref: http://www.ewg.org/research/poisoned-legacy

Safer Alternatives:

• GreenPan cookware utilizes a “100% PTFE-free non-stick technology called Thermalon, a surfacing that not only allows for flawless oil-free cooking, but is also completely free from the toxins that other non-stick cookware can release into your food and your home.”Cuisinart GreenGourmet Ceramic type pans Stainless Steel Scanpan : Available over the Internet or in better kitchen stores. Some questions were raised if this cookware was indeed ” PTFE-free.” Indeed, they do use Greblon for their cookware – a non-stock coating that can pose a danger to birds. A communication with them on this topic yielded the following response:
  • ” Scanpan is free of PFOA, but does use small quantities of PTFE based substance … however … the fumes from cooking margarine are as toxic or more toxic than a melting frypan. Only a pan that is totally melting due to being left on the range at 600 to 800 degrees without food to pass the heat to will cause the fumes that you are concerned with.”

Pet owners share their experiences with Teflon Poisoning :

T-Fal Cooking Pot:

One pet owner reports as follows (from e-mail received on 2/26/2009):

YESTERDAY, 2-25-09, I WAS BOILING WATER IN A SMALL T-FAL POT AND I LEFT THE KITCHEN AND WENT TO THE GARAGE, WHEN I CAME BACK IN THE HOUSE I FORGOT THE WATER WAS BOILING.

I WAS IN ANOTHER ROOM WHEN I SMELLED A STRONG ODOR AND WONDERED WHAT IT WAS. I TRACED IT TO THE KITCHEN AND THE WATER BOILED DRY AND THE FIRE WAS UNDER AN EMPTY PAN NOW.

RIGHT AWAY I GOT A FAN AND CRACKED THE DOOR TO LET OUT THE FUMES.I NEVER THOUGHT TO MOVE THE BIRD TO A DIFFERENT ROOM AWAY FROM THIS MESS.

ABOUT A HALF HOUR LATER I WENT TO PET HIM AND THOUGHT HE WAS A LITTLE “SLUGGISH”. HE DID NOT ACT HIMSELF. HE FELL TO THE BOTTOM OF THE CAGE AND I PICKED HIM UP AND HELD HIM AS HE STRUGGLED TO BREATHE AND THEN DIED IN MY HAND.

I AM FEELING QUITE BAD RIGHT NOW BUT I HOPE THIS EXPERIENCE WILL HELP SOMEONE ELSE TO BE AWARE AND MORE RESPONSIBLE THAN I WAS. THE BIRD WAS A BLUE CROWN CONURE AND PART OF THE FAMILY.”

Teflon Poisoning from an Unlikely Source (Passed on via Forum):

A forum member shared the following experience:

“I know about teflon products and do not purchase them. I do not clean my oven with anything but a plastic scraper and hot hot water.

Saturday Jan 10, 2009 – two days ago -, I put an oven liner that claimed it was made from silicone and was completely safe for animals. I followed the directions, started the oven, popped in a pizza.

Within five minutes of taking the pizza out, my Parrotlet fell to the bottom of the cage and died in my hand. I had no clue what happened to him, I tried to clear his little air way, I thought maybe he choked on something. No luck bringing him back. I have only had him for 5.5 months, but you sure can get attached quickly.

I also have two female caiques, Tango and Daisy. These birds are my children just as for many of you. I wanted to show the girls that little Tucker had passed, so they wouldn’t call for him. I took out Tango (blk.head) showed her that Tucker was gone, she seemed to understand. When I went to take Daisy (wht.belly) (my princess) I have had her for 3 years, when I looked at her she was sitting low on her heated perch, almost squatting. I had her step up, but she had a hard time doing so. Once I had her I could tell something was very wrong, she was wobbly and out of it.

It hit me like a ton of bricks!!!! I had read about this……..That darn oven must have contained some type of teflon or chemical. My roommate and I now in a total panic, rushed the girls outside.

Daisy was fading fast……..I was crying and begging her to stay awake. My neighbors came out to help, they called the local avian vet and had to leave a message. The internet said oxygen……Where am I going to get oxygen at 6pm on a Saturday night??? I was a mess!!! I called the local Fire Dept. I asked them to please, please bring oxygen to save my baby. I must have sounded like a lunatic or something. They came with in fifteen minutes, we put the mask over Daisy’s mouth and her eyes became more alert. I was hopeful. He suggested putting her in a small box and letting the oxygen tube go directly into the box. We got a small box, she seemed to be standing now……..Very hopeful now!

The EMT called the University of Tennessee avian vet. The avian vet said it sounds like telfon exposure. He told the EMT the outcome was not good, but the EMT did not tell us that right away, he could see what a mess we already were. The vet said to take the oxygen off for ten minutes and if she stayed taller that we could bring her to the hospital, but if she faded that meant she had already suffered a lethal dose and there would be nothing he could do for her. Daisy Mae died at 10:15pm, I told her it was bed time and she went to sleep. Tango the survivor was trying to feed Daisy the last hour of her life. It broke my heart.”

Your avian chum’s droppings are one of the best indicators of your bird’s wellbeing. In short, always check the number of times a day he or she goes, the color, poop distribution in the cage, the volume and consistency. Any changes to the attributes mentioned above might point to problems that involve bloody droppings, parasites or liver complications. Keep an eye on your feathery friend and if the situation does not change seek out a vet.

Poop is not something we really like to talk about, but it is essential you know what to look for because it is a clear indicator of your bird’s health.

For this reason, it should become a daily habit for any cockatiel owner to take a moment to examine the droppings to be sure that your feathered buddy is in mint condition.

All there is to know about your cockatiel’s poop

Bird droppings are not just a pile of waste. Your bird’s poop can provide much useful information about your avian chum’s health.

Color, consistency and the distribution of the feces on the cage floor can tell an attentive bird owner whether his or her feathered friend may be suffering from a disease or a parasite infestation.

But first, it has to be said that bird poop is actually quite a remarkable creation. At this point, you might think how can anybody get excited about bird droppings.

However, if you think about it, this one-stop solution for urine, feces, and urates is quite ingenious.

Urates are the crystalline component of the urine and shed as wastage from the kidneys. It should appear chalky white and should neither be too solid or overly watery.

The feces are the only really solid part of the cockatiel’s droppings. It should be tubular and located in the center of the poop.

Urine should be clear and to some extent resemble water – in a way it’s similar to our urine. If you cannot tell the difference between the urates and the urine because it’s cloudy, don’t be alarmed as this sometimes occurs.

Normal cockatiel poop consists of a dark, solid area with a white to beige colored urine content in the center. This center part should have a creamy to a firm consistency unless the bird has drunk a lot recently or has eaten fresh food.

If the dropping’s texture deviates from the consistency described above for a period longer than two hours, this could be an indication or the beginning of a health disorder.

Runny Poop

Very liquid stools, which contain more moisture than solid fecal matter and appear over an extended period, point to a problem with the kidneys.

If, on the other hand, the droppings are liquid, the bird likely has diarrhea. In both cases, you should pay particular attention to your birdie.

If the situation persists, you should see a vet as soon as possible because sometimes dangerous infections are behind the symptoms. It makes sense to have a fecal sample examined by a laboratory to determine whether bacteria or a fungal infection are involved.

Just remember many things can cause runny poop, like stress, the diet, and the environment.

As we already mentioned, you can never check the bottom of your cockatiel’s cage enough for abnormalities – also use paper to cover the cage floor rather than pine shavings, pellets or any other fancy solution because it will make poop identification easier.

Poop colors that indicate that there is something wrong with your ‘tiel

Before we look at how the color of the bird’s droppings points to illness, it is important to note that your birdie’s diet can also cause discoloration. Green veggies will naturally create greenish poop, while blueberries and blackberries produce blackish droppings.

• If the cockatiel’s poop is reddish or dark brown to black and your avian chum has not eaten food that could have caused the color, then blood could be responsible for the discoloration. Also, metallic and zinc poisoning produces red or black droppings. If the discoloration remains over an extended period, you should have the feces examined by a professional.
• If the poop is green and your cockatiel hasn’t eaten any lettuce or the like, then your cockatiel might be suffering from Parrot Fever. Also, particularly for young birds, anorexia can be the cause.
• Green droppings with a yellowish urine component point to a problem with the inner organs. If the liver is damaged, the organism will secrete more bile, which leads to a discoloration of the feces and urine. Therefore, you should contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. Liver disorders are caused by bacteria or fattening of the organ – the latter is unfortunately very common in cockatiels.

The distribution of poop in the cage

The distribution of droppings on the floor of the cage is an indication of whether your feathered chum is relaxed.

At night, a healthy bird should perch in the same place and sleep soundly. Consequently, the droppings will accumulate in a small space.

If, on the other hand, the cockatiel is restless and sleeps poorly, it will move about in the cage at night and spread its droppings over a larger area. In such cases, parasites such as blood-sucking mites could be the cause of your bird’s restlessness.

However, it could also be that your Cockatiel has night frights. Cockatiels are known for having that.

That does not mean that every Cockatiel has it, but they are prone to it. If your Cockatiel starts to scream at night, or if he/ she is moving a lot in the cage at night, we highly recommend reading our articles below on that:

• Are Cockatiels afraid of the dark?
• Pet Birds can’t see well in the dark – why you still need a cage cover!

Opposite to the above situation, during the day, a healthy and active ‘tiel will distribute his or her droppings over a large area in the cage, as it is in constant movement.

Concentrated accumulations of poop during the day may point to lethargy and possibly an existing illness.

The difference between diarrhea and polyuria

Polyuria

Polyuria is often not caused by disease but is a normal form of poop. Polyuria can appear dark green or brownish and in normally shaped droppings.

A large amount of fluid usually surrounds the feces, and the white crystallized urine is generally wholly absent.

If your pet ‘tiel ingests more water through its food or drinks more than its body requires, the excess liquid will be disposed of through polyuria. This form of liquid poop is entirely normal, and there is no need for action!

Polyuria also occurs during periods of stress. Fear, fright, and excitement accelerate bowel movement. As a result, the digested food passes through the intestinal tract faster than usual, and the liquid element is not removed in time.

Unfortunately, polyuria is also one of the symptoms of liver and kidney disease. It can also be associated with diabetes and hormonal imbalances due to excessive drinking (polydipsia).

Therefore, you, as a responsible cockatiel owner, should keep a close eye on the nightly droppings.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea can be a life-threatening emergency for cockatiels. In the case of real diarrhea, the dark green feces that is usually tubular is instead liquid, foamy or pudding-like.

You might also discover undigested grains, and for poisoning, you might even find blood. In addition, the poop might have a bad smell. Often, you will encounter feces in the plumage around the tail area.

If you encounter any of those signs, your cockatiel may have a germ infection, a parasite or fungus infection, food poisoning or the food was too fatty and affected the digestive system.

As a result, the bird will quickly lose fluids and vital minerals, leading to a drying out and a significant decrease in food intake. Due to the fluid loss, the blood is thickened, ultimately leading to circulatory failure and in the worst cases death.

In such situations, if the cockatiel is to have any chance of survival, your next stop should be the veterinarian’s practice. Only a trained professional will be able to help.

Diarrhea is the body’s defense mechanism to excrete toxins or other harmful substances.

If diarrhea persists like in the case of a germ infection, parasites, fungus infection or food poisoning, your bird will quickly lose fluid and vital minerals.

Treating diarrhea

Self-treatment with home remedies such as charcoal tablets or black tea is not the best way to go. It only alleviates the symptoms but does not fight the cause!

However, the vet may decide to use the methods as mentioned above as a parallel treatment to halt the loss of fluids or to bind toxins. Charcoal has an absorbing effect for birds, meaning that it binds substances on the surface.

As a result, not only toxins, but also vital minerals, nutrients, and orally administered drugs can be rendered ineffective, so it’s best to consult the vet before becoming a self-proclaimed Internet-doctor trained at the University of Google.

Chamomile tea contains fewer minerals due to the boiled water. Also, many birds refuse to drink the tea, making the situation worse. Moreover, black tea contains caffeine, which can kill a bird.

The vet will probably suggest benign intestinal bacteria (like Bene-Bac for birds you can get it here) to rebuild the intestinal flora. Yogurt is unsuitable because it contains lactose, which is indigestible for birds.

Instead of tap water, you can offer non-carbonated mineral water when the cockatiel has diarrhea. Even better is an electrolyte solution. There are soluble powders in the pharmacy or a ready to buy Tyrode solution.

No poop or constipation

It is very rare for a cockatiel to suffer from constipation, but it does occur. A healthy bird will have between 18 to 26 droppings per day. However, if your pet birdie does not get enough movement, is generally not active and overeats, obesity can cause constipation.

Furthermore, something your cockatiel ate and the cause of internal obstruction could be the reason for the bird’s constipation.

Fresh fruit and veggies act as a natural laxative. Also, make sure there is always enough water and sometimes a drop of sunflower oil can alleviate pooping problems. Get these pipettes to make sure that you are not using too much oil.

If your plumed pal has not gone for a while, check his or her backside to see if there is an amalgamation of feces near the vent. You might have to soak the spot with warm water to get everything going again. A drop of sunflower oil on the cloaca can help here as well.

If you changed your bird’s nutrition and done all of the above and nothing gets better, seek out the vet for a professional opinion.

What you should do if your cockatiel has a poop problem

Once you know what is bothering your plumed pal, you can begin with the treatment. Never try and go it alone if the situation is serious. It’s always best to consult a veterinarian first to be sure what ails your cockatiel.

Peace of mind will put both you and your pet birdie at rest.

And, like with people, runny poop quickly dehydrates. Make sure that your cockatiel gets enough liquid by encouraging your ‘tiel to drink or bathe. If that does not work, try feeding it with watery foods like lettuce.

When it comes to their water intake, you should know what’s normal and what’s not. We created the articles below to help you a little bit with that. If your Cockatiel doesn’t seem to drink enough or is suffering from runny stool, you should read them:

• Why is my Cockatiel not drinking water?
• How long can Cockatiels go without water?
• Why is my Cockatiel drinking so much water?

Even though it is not entirely about drinking water, we also recommend reading our article on spraying a Cockatiel with water here! This is a great way to rehydrate your Cockatiel, without forcing him/ her to drink!

Never try open your bird’s beak to force down liquid because this invariably leads to panic and sometimes death.

If your pal in the cage refuses to eat or drink, you best consult your vet again. Whatever happens, your cockatiel needs a lot of TLC and quiet time, so make sure you create a space that is peaceful.

As with us, rest is the best medicine.

Related Questions

What are the signs for a sick cockatiel?
As a bird owner it is essential that you recognize anything that might point to your cockatiel being unwell like:

• Exaggerated feather plucking
• General weakness, lethargy, sleeping most of the time
• Loss of balance
• Sitting at the bottom of the cage
• Lumps or swelling
• Dull eyes
• Shaking
• The droppings are runny and smell strange
• Change in character: more aggressive or more submissive than usual

How often should a cockatiel poop?
Generally, your avian buddy will need to go every 10 to 30 minutes. Big birds tend to go less often compared to small birds. Also, your ‘tiel might poop when you pick him or her up.

Are budgies messy? Unfortunately, budgies may be small, but as any budgie owner can attest, they can – and frequently do – make very big messes that can be time-consuming to clean. Tossing food around their cages, splashing around in their water dishes, and sending feathers flying about the room are just a few of the ways they like to entertain themselves.

So how much of your precious time will it take to clean up their mess? And how much work are they, really? Let’s find out.

Big Messes

Budgies are pros at making mayhem. If you are envisioning a clean, budgie-filled house, you are sure to be disappointed. Here a just a few of the messes you can expect to find, courtesy of your budgie:

• Food – Your budgie is likely to spill food while he eats, as well as toss any morsels that are not to his liking out of his cage and onto your floor. (Some budgies even dig in the dirty bedding and create a mess, as we show you here!)
• Puddles – Budgies love to bathe and play in their water, and you will frequently find small puddles of water on your clean floor. Any water he spills in his cage causes food to stick to the items he enjoys, including his perches and toys.
• Waste – If you want your budgie to have plenty of freedom, be prepared to find his droppings throughout the entire room, as well as on your clothing. Even when his poop is confined to his cage, it can still be messier than you might anticipate.
• Feathers – While a budgie may only molt once or twice a year, you will still frequently find feathers flying around your home and floating around his cage.

Cleaning Time

Cleaning out your budgie’s cage is a multi-step process that can realistically consume several hours a week. Most budgie owners find that chunking the cleaning into both daily and weekly steps help to keep the workload manageable and their budgie healthy.

Daily (thirty minutes)

• Your budgie needs his cage liner changed every single day. If you have newspapers trimmed to fit his cage in advance, you can put an entire stack down at once and remove only the soiled layers each day. If you mist the paper lightly with water before you roll the paper up, it will help all the seed and waste stick to it so that it is easier to discard.
• A budgie requires a spot-cleaned cage to keep dangerous bacteria at bay. Use a bird-friendly cleaner or a vinegar solution, and pay extra attention to his perch, the bars of his cage, and his toys, where hidden germs may live.
• Your budgie’s food and water dishes must be checked to make sure they are free from any waste. Rinse them out with hot, soapy water and make sure they are dry before you return them to his cage.
• The birdbath your budgie enjoys also necessitates a thorough cleansing to ensure that the water stays fresh so he can splash to his heart’s content without any concern from you.
• The areas under your budgie’s cage should be cleaned consistently as well. A hand-held vacuum is a great choice for keeping your floor free from debris, as it gets the tiny seeds that a broom may miss; it is also a quick alternative to mopping every day.

Weekly (at least one hour)

• Your budgie’s toys and perches need a more thorough cleaning once a week. Use sandpaper and an old toothbrush to remove any stubborn, crusted-on droppings. Then wash them in dishwashing soap and hot water. Many budgie toys are dishwasher safe, and softer toys are often able to go in your washing machine. Your weekly cleaning time is a good time to rotate new toys in for your budgie’s entertainment.
• If you have a cage skirt, it must be taken off and cleaned. While cage skirts prevent a lot of debris from reaching your floor, they do not prevent your bird from making a mess in the first place.
• Wipe down each and every bar of your budgie’s cage. Since he spends so much time climbing around on his bars with his feet and his beak, it is extremely important that the bars be clean of any dried droppings. Some owners choose to put the cage into their shower or bathtub and spray it down with a handheld showerhead for some extra power. Steamers also do a great job of breaking down stubborn, stuck-on debris.
• The bottom tray of your bird’s cage must be free from anything that could invite bacteria, mold, or insects. Pull out the liners from the bottom of the cage each week and wipe out the bottom until it is spotless. Concentrate on the corners of the cage where bacteria thrives. Make sure the tray is completely dry before you put the liners back inside.
• The floors under your bird’s cage require extra attention at the end of each week. After your daily vacuuming, mop the floors and put any soiled rugs in the washing machine. If the rugs are not washable, spray them off with a hose outside and leave them to air dry. Check the walls around the cage for any far-flung food or droppings and wipe them down. If he’s had any extra freedom, you will need to check the entire room for surprises.

Tips and Tricks

Expert budgie owners know that there are tips and tricks to help you clean smarter, not harder. The less time you spend cleaning, the more time you can spend enjoying the company of your loveable feathered friend.

• Purchase an air purifier that is made with pets in mind. This will catch a lot of your bird’s airborne dander and will reduce any bird-related odors.
• If you know your bird is most active at a certain time of day, try to clean before he starts his playtime. Then there will be less debris for his wings to send flying around the room when he starts to flap.
• Consider investing in a robot vacuum if it is within your budget. Program it to roam around your budgie’s room once or twice a day to decrease your daily workload.
• Buy a spill-proof feeder. These have chambers that your bird enters so that when he eats, the mess stays within the feeder instead of scattering around his cage — and throughout your house.
• Think about replacing your current cage with an extra-tall one. A budgie prefers to perch toward the top of his cage, so always put his food and water on the bottom. The more space there is between where your bird eats and where he perches, the less food is sent airborne when he flaps around up above.
• Buy some extra dishes and perches so that you can rotate them out during each cleaning session. Having extras on hand allows you to clean the dirty items at your leisure which may come in handy during an extra-busy week.
• If you don’t already have one, a well-designed cage skirt is one of the best things you can buy to reduce your daily workload. A good cage skirt will keep the bulk of your budgie’s mess inside his cage and off of your floor.
• Consider the items in your bird’s room. The less surface area he has in his room, the less dust and dander can collect on it. Also, make sure to limit chairs or couches that are not easily wiped down, as dander particles will become embedded in any fabric pieces. Remove any drapes from around the windows as well for the ultimate cleanliness.

If you need more tips on that, we recommend that you read Your Budgies Are Messy? Do This!

Also, if you want to know how to clean your birdcage with vinegar, we explain that in this article!

Another very inexpensive cleaning solution is using a mixture of lemons and baking soda. We explain how you can use lemons in this article!

Related Questions

What is the easiest bird to keep as a pet? Believe it or not, budgies are actually one of the easiest birds to keep, and they are considered perfect pets for bird beginners. Canaries, finches, and cockatiels are also popular, lower-maintenance birds.

What is the best cage for a budgie? While the minimum size of a budgie’s cage is 18.5 inches high and 18.5 inches wide, budgies do enjoy flying horizontally inside their cage. Make sure the bars of the cage are no more than a half inch apart.

Is it hard to take care of a budgie? While budgies do require you to clean up after them, they are still relatively simple to care for. Your budgie has basic needs, but beyond that, they desire your love and affection. The biggest demand on your time with a budgie is not cleaning – it is attention.

Nothing that you do will make it chirp, and sometimes days have gone by and you still don’t know what your budgie sounds like. This is bound to raise some concerns.

In fact, there may be several reasons for that, i.e. different illnesses or factors linked to the environment or mood. Birds have different characteristics and needs than other animals you may have kept as pets, so be sure to keep this in mind.

Also be sure to do the proper amount of research before purchasing a budgie – including finding a good avian vet in your area- so that you don’t accidentally cause it any harm.

Signs of illness

Sometimes, the reason for a budgie to be quiet is that it’s ill.

Check to see

• if its feathers are all fluffed up
• if it chooses to sit on the bottom of its cage rather than a perch
• if there are any changes in its droppings
• if it is vomiting
• limping

These could all be signs of illness or a hurt leg or wing. If your budgie is clearly ill, this could be the reason why it is so quiet. Make sure you take it to an avian vet so it can get the treatment it needs.

If you are seriously worried about your budgies health and need clarity right now, read this article. It will show you the worst symptoms of illness in budgies.

Your Budgie is healthy but quiet?

But, in a better case scenario, you checked it out to find that the bird is completely fine. This raises questions since the answer isn’t as simple as having a vet prescribe treatment.

Now you’re wondering what could be the issue. The good news is, you most likely have absolutely nothing to fear. Now, let’s discuss three possible reasons as to why your budgie is quiet and possible solutions to make your budgie feel better.

Reason 1: It’s a Baby Budgie

If your budgie is still a baby (around four weeks old) that is most likely the reason why it has stayed quiet. This is because baby budgies don’t tend to make a lot of noise.

You may even think that you got a bird that is quieter than others. Budgies need to mature, and as they mature, they start to chirp a lot more.

A baby budgie will stay quiet unless it is being fed, and won’t make much more noise until it gets bigger. The reason behind this is also because baby budgies need to avoid attracting any possible predators but this is not a permanent behavior.

If you just purchased your baby budgie, it is likely also used to the presence of its parents and other baby budgies. Now that it is in a new environment without any of the other budgies it was used to, it is bound to be a bit nervous.

Baby budgies are kept in dark, warm nests, and all the baby budgies sleep close to one another for safety and warmth. If you see your baby budgie sleeping up against its cage, and not trying to explore, this is normal behavior in the beginning.

Once it starts getting bigger, the budgie will chirp a lot more and will be more willing to explore its surroundings.

Baby budgies, once they grow, will make a lot more noise. So, if your budgie is still small, there is nothing to fear, just give it some time.

Reason 2: You Just Purchased the Budgie

So you have a new budgie and it’s not sick but it’s quiet as can be. You’ve taken it to the avian vet so that it can get a checkup and so that you know there’s nothing wrong.

Despite the vet assuring you that everything is fine, your budgie is still quiet.

This is because your new budgie is not yet used to its new environment in your home or office, and may possibly feel scared or threatened.

It may also not want to eat due to the fact that it will feel threatened to put its head down while you are in its presence. This can last three to four days, or possibly even more. Some people have even said that it took their new budgie several weeks to get used to their homes.

It is completely normal for a budgie to not make much noise at all for the first few days. The length of time it will take for your budgie to get used to you depends on the individual bird.

Also, keep in mind that your new budgie may be scared if you put your hand in its cage. It may not even eat because of this. Start slowly, even starting with a few fingers at a time.

Allow it to get used to the prospect of you having to put your hand in its cage.

What to do?

Read this article to learn how long it takes to tame a budgie and to receive tips on taming.

Besides that, there is not a lot that you can do, other than giving it some time to get used to you, your family, and your home.

In the meantime, you can cover three sides of its cage so the budgie can feel more secure.

Lay something down on the bottom of the cage and put its food there, since budgies like to look for food on the floor. You will see that your budgie is starting to feel more comfortable when it starts to explore its cage, look for its food and drink, and play with any toys you put in the cage.

A new budgie prefers to stay quiet so that it can observe its new environment. This is completely normal.

Make sure that you speak softly whenever you are in your budgie’s presence so that it doesn’t feel scared or threatened, too. Feed it whatever it was fed at the place you purchased it from.

Give your budgie some time to get used to things, and don’t hesitate to purchase some toys that budgies are known to like, such as bells, so your new budgie can have fun. Sooner or later, it will begin to chirp lively!

Reason 3: Your Budgie Could be Depressed

Just like any other animal, budgies are also susceptible to depression. Look first to see if there are not any obvious signs of illness. If your budgie is clearly healthy but does not want to interact, it may simply be depressed.

It may have bonded with another budgie at the place you purchased it from, and now it misses its friend. Budgies will naturally miss the homes where they came from and the other birds they were with. So, it’s natural for your budgie to be depressed for some time.

What to do?

Budgies grieve and there is a lot that you can do to help your little budgie. This article will show you exactly what to do.

If it is at all a possibility given your circumstances and lifestyle, perhaps consider purchasing another budgie to keep this one company. They may end up becoming the best of friends!

This is also a great option if sudden lifestyle changes will prevent you from spending a lot of time with your budgie.

(In fact, you should never keep only one budgie, but sadly, most people choose to get only one budgie.)

Otherwise, make sure that you interact with your budgie frequently. Take the budgie out of its cage and play with it a bit. Since budgies prefer to socialize, if you keep it in its cage for an unnatural period of time, it will gradually start to get depressed and withdraw.

Some people have suggested that if you are going to be out of your home all day- such as if you are going to work or an event- perhaps put on some soft music, television, or anything that will provide a little bit of noise.

Not only will this give your budgie some company but it will also help it to get used to different noises. If there is a lot of noise in your home, it could scare the budgie which will cause it to become quiet and withdraw.

If you have one budgie, be sure to play with it a lot. Take it out of its cage and allow it to perch on your hand or shoulders. This is a great opportunity for your budgie to bond with you and to feel more comfortable.

It is going to start being a lot noisier once it gets comfortable with you. Once your budgie has gotten used to you, it will enjoy sitting on your shoulder while you go about your daily activities.

Since budgies are flock birds, if you have more than one, your budgie is going to pay more attention to your other budgies than to you. This is normal.

Generally, budgies are lively birds that you will enjoy having. They are easy to handle and love to play. Be sure to give it space and time it needs, to treat it with special love and care and you will see- as it gets more comfortable with you, it will be a lot noisier!

Birds, however, can provide affection, companionship, and entertainment with a lot less work on your part.

Here are twenty reasons a budgie makes an awesome pet:

1. Budgies Don’t Need Much Space

Small bird species like budgies make great pets for people with limited space. At only seven inches long, a budgie is one of the smallest parrots. Because of this, a budgie’s cage does not need to be very large.

Most cages for budgies can easily fit into even the coziest of living spaces; at minimum, the cage just needs to be tall enough so that your budgie’s head and tail never touch the top and bottom of his cage at the same time.

Make sure your budgie can move back and forth easily inside of his cage; to the horizontally-flying budgie, width in a cage is more important than height.

Since a budgie really prefers to be perched up high, he will most likely gravitate to the top of his cage and stay there, so there is no need to waste space getting an extra tall cage.

As long as your budgie is let out to fly around and stretch his wings every day, a budgie is perfectly content to share your cramped living quarters.

2. Bird Brains are No Joke

Birds are actually very smart pets. The neurons in avian brains are small and densely packed in the forebrain, lending credence to the belief that birds, including budgies, are, in fact, very intelligent.

It only takes a few minutes of watching a budgie to realize that they do indeed have excellent problem-solving abilities — another indicator of a high degree of intelligence.

Their mimicking skills point to excellent cognitive skills, and they have an incredible capacity for learning new things quickly.

Not surprisingly, the parrot with the largest vocabulary ever recorded was a male budgie; male budgies are especially adept at speaking and learning new phrases.

According to the 1995 Guinness Book of World Records, a budgie from California named Puck officially became known as the bird with the most words. This intelligent little budgie was able to say over 1,700 words.

These little birds easily learn that you are not a threat and become tame. Even if you have bought two budgies.

If you want to learn how long it takes to tame a budgie and what you can do to tame your budgie, read this article.

3. Budgies are Easy to Care For

A budgie is one of the easiest of all pets to care for. A bird is content to stay in his cage while you are working during the day or busy doing things around the house.

As long as he has plenty of stimulating toys, he will be just fine. However, you need to get the right toys with the right size, made from non-toxic material. In this article, we show you what makes a good budgie toy and we show you 15 awesome inexpensive examples.

Birds do not require walks outside, and housebreaking is not something you have to worry about unless you just want to take on the challenge.

Cleaning a budgie’s cage each day simply requires fresh water and a change of newspaper, which is easier to many people than scooping litter or letting a dog outdoors constantly to potty.

If you invest in a cage skirt, you will have very little mess under and around your bird’s cage. Because budgies, by nature, are also one of the cleanest members of the bird species, they are an ideal pet for beginners and bird experts alike.

Also, you can clean your budgie cage easily with vinegar. Here are two articles we highyl recommend reading if you want to minimize costs and work when cleaning your budgie cage:

• Can I clean my birdcage with vinegar?
• 10 birdcage cleaning tips you just have to know

4. Budgies are Inexpensive

A budgie won’t cost you much. They are relatively inexpensive to purchase; you can buy a new bird for less than twenty-five dollars depending on where you shop and what you decide to buy.

Typically, breeders charge less for colors that are more common. While the cage may be your biggest expenditure when getting a new budgie, everything else is very affordable.

One small bag of quality seed for your budgie can last several months, when stored properly.

Treats for budgies do not have to be expensive at all! Let us show you 12 inexpensive treats budgies totally love in this article!

If you choose to line your cage with newspaper, you can avoid any extra costs there, and most budgies find homemade toys incredibly stimulating, cutting out another expense for bird owners.

With a start-up cost ranging from two to three hundred dollars for all necessary supplies, many of which last for years, a budgie ranks among the least expensive friends to care for in the pet world.

5. Budgies are Works of Art

Budgies are fascinating to look at. They are usually green in nature, but breeders have produced them in a multitude of stunning colors and shades, from turquoise to white to violet to rainbow.

If you check with different breeders, you can even find budgies that have a crest or curly feathers. Their stripes and patterns are truly captivating, and their vibrant colors make them all seem like unique pieces of artwork.

Because there are at least thirty-two primary color mutations in the budgie breeding world, there are hundreds of potential secondary combinations — a kaleidoscope of possibilities.

6. Budgies Serenade You

Although budgies are quieter than many other bird species, budgies, especially males, are still quite vocal. They love to sing, especially when they are content and happy.

Budgies are capable of remembering many different tunes, and they have lots of variety in their songs; their melodies are usually a joyful, complicated mix of trills and chirps and whistles.

If you sing or whistle with your budgie, he will often join in and copy you. He may even add his own flair in an attempt to outdo you. With a budgie’s ability to sing for long periods of time, who needs a radio?

7. The Greatest Showman

Budgies love to learn and show off new tricks. They don’t let being small get in the way of their trainability.

You can teach your budgie to drop balls through hoops and place rings on a peg according to color. A budgie can hang upside down from your finger or count up to the number three.

He will excel at climbing ladders or the sides of his cage — especially if the bars are horizontal.

Your bird can also easily learn to fly to you on command, play peek-a-boo, participate in hide-and-seek, and even do a somersault in your hand.

Some budgies will take pleasure in playing fetch with you or completing a homemade agility course, complete with slides and tunnels.

A budgie can even be taught to skateboard! When it comes to tricks, your budgie is only limited by your imagination.

Wanna see your budgie using a swing? No problem! Budgies love swings – just like most parrots and parakeets. And they do not even have to be trained to use them! Here is why they love swings so much and what kind of swing you should get for your budgie!

8. Budgies CAN Have Long Lives

Budgies can live anywhere from seven to fifteen years. If you want your budgie to have an extended lifespan, take extra concern to keep them healthy.

Budgies that are well-cared for, exercised, and fed supplemental fruits and veggies on a regular basis have been known to live over twenty years!

In fact, the Guinness Book of World Records lists a male bird named Charlie from England as the oldest budgie who ever lived — he was just a little over twenty-nine years old when he died.

9. Budgies are Affectionate

Budgies can be just as affectionate as any furry friend. Once you have spent quality time hand-taming your budgie, you will find that he frequently calls for you, and he truly looks forward to your arrival after you have been away from home.

When a budgie wants to show affection, he may nuzzle your face or cuddle against your neck.

Some owners report that their budgies like to snuggle inside their clothing or hide in their hair, while others relay stories of frequent, playful nips — a common request for attention.

Budgies enjoy sitting on their owners’ shoulders and just being near them. A budgie may even ask you for a pet or a scratch by bowing his head toward you, his beloved owner.

Let us show you 5 further facts that show how affectionate budgies truly are – Read our article on that here!

10. Budgies Improve Your Mood

Regardless of the activity, interacting with your budgie signals your brain to pump out higher levels of the hormones that play a part in helping you feel happier and more relaxed.

When your bird makes you laugh, endorphins are released throughout your body and create an all-natural feel-good sensation. Any time your bird gives you affection, your body reduces your cortisol levels which helps you feel secure and content.

It is well-known that having a companion around can ease loneliness, but it can also provide you with a purpose, hope, and a reason to get out of bed on hard days.

Spending time with pets is proven to help relieve even the most extreme stress, and hearing a budgie talk to you and sing for you is sure to lift your spirits, even on the most difficult of days.

11. Budgies are Practically Hypoallergenic

Dander is the most commonly bothersome allergen found in birds. Surprisingly, feathers alone are not a strong source of allergies. When birds preen, bathe, or flap their wings, it loosens bits of feather, dead skin, keratin, and other organic matter.

As budgies flutter around their cage, their dander becomes airborne and scatters through the air. Thankfully, many people who are allergic to cats and dogs actually do well having a pet bird.

Budgies are a smart choice for those who suffer from allergies because although they do have dander, they shed very little of it in comparison to their furrier friends — even when budgies are molting.

Adding an air purifier to your budgie’s room ensures that he is even less likely to trigger an allergic reaction.

12. Budgies Increase Confidence

People who have a strong attachment to their pets normally have a healthier attachment to their environment and better relationships with the people around them. In addition, someone who owns a pet is often less fearful of new situations.

That translates into bird owners being more comfortable with where they are in life, and eventually, who they are as a person.

A pet owner also receives a wealth of unconditional love from their pet as opposed to the criticism they may hear elsewhere, which helps boost self-esteem. A playful budgie can be just the tool to help an insecure owner gain the confidence they need to face any situation.

13. Budgies Teach Kids Responsibility

While larger pets require a lot from the whole family, a budgie is a great choice for helping even young children learn responsibility.

While children often view a new pet as nothing more than a plaything for their entertainment, a pet can actually teach a child the selflessness of caring for another living thing. Kids can easily make sure the bird has fresh water and the proper portion of food each day.

In addition, kids are more than capable of cleaning out the bird’s cage and sweeping up underneath it when it is needed.

Being in charge of caring for a bird can also help a child realize that a pet is a long-term commitment, and getting one is not to be treated lightly.  As long as parents are following up quietly each day, a budgie can thrive under the care of a dependable child.

To help you and your children with those tasks, we have created a couple of articles we recommend reading and/or bookmarking:

• How long can budgies go without water?
• How much budgies should eat
• How messy budgies really are!
• Your budgies are messy? Just do this!

14. Budgies are Feathery Therapists

Pet therapy is known to reduce anxiety and even physical pain. Patients who are terminal, veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, and patients working in physical therapy are benefitting from the company of animals, including budgies.

Some universities are even allowing pets in dorm rooms, as they have seen how a pet can alleviate feelings of homesickness throughout the semester or test anxiety during finals week.

Having a feathered friend with them can bring the students a familiar piece of home, even hundreds of miles away.

15. Budgies Make YOU More Interesting

Dog and cat owners are exceedingly common; having a bird makes you stand out in the crowd. Having a feathered friend is a great icebreaker.

And when you are the only one in the group with a talking pet, suddenly everyone has a question for you. How many words can your budgie say?

What is the funniest thing he has ever done? What made you decide to get a bird in the first place? The less familiar people are with your pet, the more questions they will have for you.

Have some funny anecdotes or maybe a video or two ready, and you are sure to be the one people flock to.

16. Budgies Make Great Watch-Birds

While budgies may not have incredibly sharp canine teeth or a menacing growl, they can still be useful in thwarting thieves.

There are stories of birds attacking robbers with their beaks and claws, alerting owners to intruders with loud squawking, barking like a dog at the sound of a doorbell, and even mimicking alarm sounds in the face of danger.

Budgies may be small, but they can still be fierce.

17. Budgies CAN Be Potty Trained

With lots of positive reinforcement and plenty of persistence, budgies can adapt to potty training.

Budgies can quickly be taught that pooping on humans and furniture is not welcome; instead, they can be trained to go to a designated newspaper in a consistent spot when they are out and about in the house.

While it initially requires lots of vigilance from the owner to prevent accidents, it is easier than cleaning up the messes that an untrained bird makes.

18. Budgies Travel Well

A budgie’s small size makes him an ideal travel buddy. Because a budgie is used to being caged, he is easy to transport in the car for a weekend trip.

All you need is a bottle of water and his food, and you are all set. You can have everything you need for your budgie and still pack as light as a feather.

Make sure his cage is secure, and he will be the perfect backseat driver. If you are not staying with family, some hotels make accommodations for pets — just be sure to ask for a non-smoking room, as smoking fumes can make your bird extremely ill.

19. Budgies Provide Feathery Fun

It only takes a quick Pinterest search to see that some budgie owners love to make things with their bird’s molted feathers.

Indoor budgies that receive artificial light may molt several times per year, so you will have lots of feathers to use if you want to collect them.

Simply save feathers in a bag and when you have enough, get creative! From realistic bird portraits to shadow boxes, bird feather crafts seem to be maintaining their popularity.

Making wreaths with painted feathers is not uncommon, and feathered jewelry is forever fashionable. Your feathery creations can be just as unique as your budgie!

20. Double the Love

Because budgies are incredibly social animals who do best with constant companionship, two budgies are normally always better than one.

Although it may seem like one budgie would be less work, in reality, two birds keep each other occupied so well that you are able to leave them alone more often without guilt.

They will sing to each other, play together, and provide you with hours of free entertainment. And with two budgies, you get all of the love, fun, and benefits of owning one bird — times two!

They stretch out their heads towards you and scratch and peck at your cheeks, nibble on your hair and earlobes and loudly sing love songs. Some cockatiels are so friendly that they feel and show great familiarity and affection for people. This feathery fellow will warble in a unique way and make jerky movements, and if you still don’t pay them any attention, they can get really loud too.

After having read this article, it wouldn’t be surprising if you find yourself in your car or on the bus to the next pet store. These birds are so astoundingly friendly that it is almost impossible not to fall in love with them. Having said that, like with people, each bird is different.

For the loving between owner and bird to work, your cockatiel must be tame

Before we look into the seven facts that show how affectionate a cockatiel can be, it must be noted that this bird needs to be tamed first in order to be friendly.

Furthermore, you, as the owner, must gain your new housemate’s trust. It’s the same as with a new lover; you can’t just stride in there and expect the world to be laid at your feet.

Cockatiels need you to work for their affection. However, once you have done that, they will genuinely love you.

Whether a bird becomes tame depends above all on its character and the experiences it had. Some birds eat out of their owner’s hand after only a few days, but also some prefer to stay among themselves. Birds that live in a stable group are usually quick to trust.

So, to get closer to your birdie, clicker training is a very effective method. You can achieve success with this method even with very reserved and shy birds. You will see that even with small progress you will feel incredibly proud. Birds that do not eat out of hand also enjoy clicker training.

But what makes them so unbelievably friendly. Let’s take a look at seven facts that demonstrate the cockatiel’s outgoing nature.

Fact Number 1 – The cockatiel picks you and not the other way around

Cockatiels really do show their owners how much they love them. To do this, they will put on their hood while singing, lift their wings and straighten their upper body.

The affection can go so far that the bird seeks the proximity of his or her human counterpart all of the time.

One of the most interesting facts about this bird is that some cockatiels have clear preferences when it comes to people. Some birds prefer people with long blond hair, while others will go for brunettes.

Certain birdies dig men rather than women and vice versa, while others feel much closer to children.

The way they bond with a human is very individual and does not apply to all cockatiels. The most important thing is that you take your time. Never rush your bird.

You wouldn’t do that if you were going out on a date with the woman or man of your dreams.

Once the cockatiel feels comfortable with you and the other family members, they will truly start to demonstrate their warmer side. In no time, you feel the love grow for your feathery chum.

Fact number 2 – Some cockatiels stick to their human buddies like glue

The expressions of love demonstrated by these birds toward their owners go as far as the courtship ritual. The feathers in the head and jaw area spring up, the upper body is raised slightly, the pupils dilate, so much so that the yellow eye ring can be seen.

This little birdie will do everything to impress his or her friend, so you better be prepared for some loving.

As the title of this section suggests, some birds and their owners are inseparable. It goes so far that they take showers together – we kid you not.

Also, if you are somebody who likes to hoard the bag of crisps and your cockatiel at one point learned to associate packets with tasty crackers – beware! In moments, your sweet and adorable ‘tiel will turn into a crisp pirate and want to share your food with you.

This being a part of the swarm or group, depending on your familiarity with the bird, can go so far that your cockatiel will fly to the dinner table and pinch your spaghetti when outside of the cage.

• If you want to learn more about the relationship between cockatiels and their owners, we highly recommend reading this article: Do Cockatiels Recognize Their Owners? It will tell you about the signs that your bird likes you and more!

Fact number 3 – TLC is essential for the cockatiel

Most cockatiels really like to be touched. Again, this very much depends on your bird, so do not force the issue if your ‘tiel backs away from your hand when it enters the cage. He or she may just not like to be touched.

However, if you have a real cuddle monster, then expect to be kept busy. Your pet will literally ask you to stroke it.

You might hear tentative cheeps or if your pet birdie is more forceful, then expect a more aggressive demand like a series of raucous squawks and energetic wing flapping.

So, when you finally give in and give your feathery buddy its hard-fought TLC, aim for the spot behind the feathery crest on the top of the bird’s head.

Move your fingers against the grain of the feathers for the ultimate effect and enjoyment for your pal with the plumage.

Some cockatiels love to have their chest rubbed, and others might prefer to have their cheeks stroked. Again, it depends on your bird.

The most important thing for the cockatiel is that it feels like a part of the family. Many birds are more than happy to leave you alone to read while they fly about the living room doing their own thing.

Your pet birdie will soon let you know when some cuddling is on the menu again.

• If your cockatiel is not that cuddly and you´d love to cuddle more with him/her, we show you in this article how you can make your cockatiel more cuddly 🙂

Fact number 4 – Veritable excitement the moment you walk through the door

Like with your dog when the animal bounces about after you have been away the entire day, so will your cockatiel sing or sometimes cry out with pleasure or complaint.

Yes, ‘tiels have an extremely strong personality, so you best beware of their wrath if you ignore them. No, don’t worry; you will not have some mad bird flying after you if you disregard it.

However, they will let you know that they want to be greeted as well when you return home after a long day at work or out and about.

And to be frank, we all love a warm greeting when we come home. It certainly beats a blunt grunt from a pubescent teenager with his or her eyes glued to the screen of their mobile. Your birdie will make quite a show upon seeing you again.

Don’t be surprised by squawks and shrieks that almost sound like screaming.

It is just the bird calling out to you, “Hey, welcome home. I am so glad you are back. How about you let me out, and you tell me about your day?” That’s how friendly and family-oriented cockatiels are.

• Cockatiels can even get quite loud at times. What that means in detail, and what you can do to teach your cockatiel not to be too loud, is described in our article here!
• Also, greeting, chirping, and whistling is okay. However, if your cockatiel is screaming all the time something is wrong. If that´s the case, you should read about the 7 reasons why cockatiels scream here. It will help you and your bird!

Fact number 5 – Your cockatiel loves to play

Be sure to spoil your cockatiel with lots of toys. Also, make sure that they are colorful because your avian chum can distinguish between colors readily enough. Bells are another great love for this particular bird.

In some cases, your pet bird might fall asleep wearing a bell around its neck.

Always make sure that your ‘tiel has a piece of wood to peck and chew on. A ladder can add extra spice to the proceedings because they love to climb up and down.

However, we have left the best to last. If your birdie loves and trusts you, you can play a game like fetch as you would with your dog. Cockatiels love to do things together, that’s how sociable and friendly they are.

So don’t be surprised if your mate with the plumage, when outside of the cage, turns up on your shoulder carrying his or her little ball with bells.

• If you want to get some toys for your cockatiel, you should read this article. We compiled 15 awesome toys for budgies in that article. However, those can be used for cockatiels, too!

Fact number 6 – This bird is always in the middle things

When your cockatiel truly feels a part of the family, don’t be surprised when discussions with your partner or kids are mimicked from the plumed resident in the cage.

Yes, the cockatiel knows how to stick its beak into everything. Even a sneeze on your part is enough incentive for the ‘tiel to hurl a comment your way with a light or maybe not so light barrage of shrieks and chirrups.

It’s just the bird’s way of saying we are all a part of the same gang, group or swarm, whichever you wish to call your family unit.

This behavior is instinctive because cockatiels live in groups, sometimes numbering in the hundreds of birds.

As a result, if you and your bird have truly bonded, your cockatiel will see you as their friend and want to show affection and also protect you.

Regarding protecting you, there have been cases when a cockatiel had attacked another human when it thought that his or her owner was in danger. That’s how far this birdie will go to show his or her friendship towards you.

Fact number 7 – The ultimate sign of love – it’s where friendship ends

We have left the best for last.

The highlight of affection and friendliness is when your cockatiel approaches and tries to feed you with the food you provided.

This behavior demonstrates that your avian buddy wants to and can look after and care for you like it would its mate or chicks.

However, at this particular moment, you are no longer merely an appreciated friend or companion but a sexual partner.

Even if this behavior surprises, intrigues and pleases you, you should make sure to stop it as soon as it happens. The reason for this is that first, you are not a bird and wholly unable to fulfill the role of the sexual mate, and second, you must put an immediate end to the bird’s expectations.

Don’t worry; it will not damage your relationship, just be gentle with the rejection like you would with a person, and all will be fine.

We’ve seen how cool and friendly cockatiels are. Now, how do they compared to the budgie?

Cockatiels and budgies: so similar and yet so different!

Both species are originally from Australia and live as nomads in large swarms, always on the lookout for food, water, and breeding grounds. They mainly feed on grains and seeds, are cave-breeders, and preferably need at least one partner of the same species if kept as pets.

At first glance, you may be misled to think that budgies and cockatiels are almost the same. However, if you look closer, you will discover quite a few differences.

For one, cockatiels belong to the family of cockatoos. They differ in size, weight, and appearance. Also, they are different from their Australian compatriots because the ‘tiel has a distinctive feathery plumage on the top of its head, which they use to show how they feel.

Cockatiels are far more active in terms of communication compared to the budgie and always on a mission to show you how beautiful they are. Having said that, the ‘tiel is more relaxed as opposed to the more energetic budgie.

Also, cockatiel’s love to be cuddled, while the budgie may sit on your finger, most of them do not like to be touched.

All in all, it is a matter of taste. Some people simply love budgies and would never go for another type of bird. However, if we would have to narrow it down, it can be safely said that the cockatiel is slightly friendlier than the budgie.

It’s just because once they know you, the ‘tiel will become extremely attached and show his or her affection in the ways we have seen in this article.

If you are thinking about getting a budgie or a cockatiel, we recommend that you read these article as well:

• Are cockatiels louder than budgies?
• Why cockatiels and budgies should not live in the same cage

Now it’s your turn! Do you have a cockatiel? Is he/she friendly? Tell us about it in the comment section below!

Also, if you liked this article, we would be very happy if you would share it with others on social media. It would help us a lot! 🙂