When you have a parrot for a pet there are few things you will need to keep him happy and healthy.

Choose one of our wide varieties of bird cages we have in stock at Ideas-4-Pets. We have a range of bird products to complement our bird cages and parrot cages.

Parrot cages should be large enough to let your parrot stand, move around comfortably and at the same time be able to spread his wings.

One of our most popular parrot cages is a rectangular one as the size allows easy movement and flight.

A parrot is intelligent and he likes to be entertained, especially if he or she is left alone during the day. Parrot and bird toys are an excellent way to satisfy their curiosity.

Purchasing a gym or a T stand, ropes and other bird products or pet accessories allows your parrot to keep fit and healthy.

Most parrots or birds that are cage bound are picky eaters and will choose one particular food they like and throw away the rest.

To avoid a large amount of waste, reduce the amount of each type of food you give to your pet.

Using this method your parrot will eat his food.

As with any pet, the main consideration is to keep your parrot healthy.

At Ideas-4-Pets we have a range of parrot cages for you to choose from.

Depending on the parrot you have chosen the cage you require will have to be large enough to allow him to fly around and to spread out its wings to their fullest extent.

Parrot cages have been updated to fit into modern décor and can become a feature of any room. The cages have been redesigned to help your pet parrot maintain a good, healthy life.

If you have decided to keep your parrot outside, we at Ideas-4-Pets are able to help with advice on how to find the correct parrot cage for their environment.

All parrots soon become bored if they are left on their own all day and we have a wide selection of parrot cages, accessories and toys to keep your pet entertained while you are out or at work.

A parrot will need time out of his parrot cage to enjoy a little freedom and you will have to make sure your windows are closed. One thing to remember is your parrot is clever and will be able to spot any openings to make his escape.

Caution: Cover your parrot cage at night to ensure you and your pet has a good night sleep.

Larger parrots can live for a very long time so you are committing yourself to long-term care of the parrot.  If you intend to put your parrot in an outside aviary during the colder months, you should ask the breeder how acclimatised the bird is and if you are already the owner of parrots, it is also advisable to quarantine the new one for approx. 35 days before allowing it into the same area of your existing parrots in case it is carrying any form of disease.

Check to see if your new parrot is fluffing up his feathers, resting with his head in his wing, is standing on two legs rather than one leg or is breathing heavily with discharge from his nostrils, as these are sure signs of illness and you need to keep him warm and quiet.  The best temperature is around 80 to 90 degrees F (27 to 32 degrees C) and make sure that he’s provided with easily digestable food like baby food that is easily reached from his perch.  We would advise that you then contact a vet with avian expertise immediately. As these Vets are not common, it would be sensible to locate one before you buy the parrot as it’s often in the very early days of ownership that you might need one.  If you contact The Parrot Society, they will assist you in finding a vet with avian expertise who is the most local to you.

Feed your parrot a wide variety of foods such as canary seed, mixed millets, hemp, wheat, maize, safflower, sunflower (in moderation as it is an oily seed and can cause your parrot to become overweight), oats, buckwheat, paddy rice, niger, linseed and groats. Also let him have fruits such as oranges, sweet apples, grapes, pears, cherries and bananas. If possible try to include some exotic fruits such as papaya, mango and kiwi.

Never give your parrot avocados as these are toxic to birds.  You can however offer him  carrots, celery, spinach, beetroot, peas, beans and lightly cooked corn on the cob. They also enjoy sprouted seeds and soaked biscuit but don’t feed him scraps from the table.

Larger parrots like macaws should be given nuts in their diet throughout the year and these can include walnuts, brazil nuts, pecans, macadamia, cashews and hazelnuts. He will also enjoy a few cob-nuts when they are in season.

Don’t forget to wash all fruit and vegetables that you give your parrot and make sure that the bowls inside his parrot cage are washed thoroughly before use.  It’s best not to place any food bowls directly underneath the perches in his parrot cage as they will soon become soiled.

Of course, the usual proprietary foods in pellet form are available from pet shops, but a lot of experienced aviculturists believe that this doesn’t provide foraging experience for the parrot and so has little therapeutic value. However they are very convenient and will provide adequate nutrition so can be used extensively or in part. Your avian vet will be able to advise you further on this.

As with all pets, the larger the home you can provide him with the better.  A large parrot cage is acceptable so long as your parrot is allowed out of his cage every day.  Don’t however, leave him on his own, unsupervised as he may chew electric cables, damage your furniture and fittings or escape.  Provide him with a bird play stand and some parrot toys so that he can amuse himself as well as fly around when he is out of his cage.

Large macaws are better kept in large outdoor aviaries and ideas-4-pets have some quality aviaries to choose from – both timber and metal.

The floor of his parrot cage should be covered with peat, shavings, sand or newspaper and changed daily to make sure it is clean, fresh and hygienic. Garden aviaries should have a draught-proof, weather proof indoor section to protect your parrot from extremes of weather. Because parrots are intelligent and inquisitive, provide your parrot with an interesting, stimulating environment with plenty of climbing opportunities.  These could include cotton rope, ladders and wooden climbing frames. Packs of suitable toys can be bought from ideas-4-pets. If you are keeping your parrot in an outside aviary, make sure he has penty of perches and cotton climbing ropes but remember to leave him enough room in there to fly around.

All bird cages and aviaries are better if they are fitted with natural perches (fruit tree or sycamore branches are ideal) as these provide different diameters for your parrot’s feet to move to.  This allows him to flex the bones in his feet. It is also important to change the perches on a regular basis.

As with all pets, fresh, clean water should be provided daily. In the case of parrots, multi-vitamin drops can be added to the water and should have access to grit cuttlefish which will provide him with calcium.

If you provide your parrot with the correct housing, the correct food, things to play with and time to spend with him, he will provide you with amusement and wonderful companionship for many years.

Colour variations include albino, lutino, pied, pearl, cinnamon, and silver.  The differences between males and females vary in the different colour variations and can sometimes be hard to distinguish, especially in young birds.   They are attractive birds that are friendly and easy to tame and they have the reputation of being gentle and docile birds who enjoy being petted and held.  Cockatiels are good at mimicking speech and learning to whiste tunes but the male is thought to be better at it than the female.

Cockatiels make good company for each other if they are kept in pairs, but usually will not bond as well with their owners or mimic speech or sounds.  Keeping a single bird is ok so long as you are able to spend a significant amount of time interacting with the cockatiel on a daily basis.  The cockatiel is both playful and active and although they vocalise and whistle most of the time,  they are not as loud as some other parrots.

When choosing a cockatiel, it’s better to choose a hand fed baby or at least a young bird that has been handled regularly.  Prices will probably vary dependant on the colour you want and you can always expect to pay a bit more from a conscientious breeder.  However, it’s well worth paying the extra for a well-handled baby.  You can also purchase a cockatiel from certain high street pet shops, but it’s worth considering that these birds might not have a known history and so could be older, not used to being handled and therefore harder to tame.

As with all birds, look for a cockatiel who appears to be bright, alert and active.  A bird that is seen sitting quietly with puffed feathers could well be ill and so is best avoided. The feathers on the cockatiel should be smooth and shiny and lay down flat on his body. His beak should be smooth and well-shaped with the feathers around his beak clean, dry, and free of faecal matter and his nostrils clear and clean.  The scales on his feet should be smooth, his nails in good condition.

Because cockatiels are active and playful, they should be kept in a large bird cage.  Opinions vary on the minimum size but a good rule of thumb is to purchase a bird cage that is at least 20″ wide x 20″ deep x 26″ high.  The spacing between the bird cage bars should be no more than 3/4″ as anything larger than this is a safety hazard for cockatiels. Horizontal bird cage bars will allow your cockatiel the best opportunity for climbing and exercise and some bird cages offer both horizontal and vertical bars.  Make sure you have space in the bird cage to  place at least a couple of perches at different levels with enough space to comfortably move between them.  It’s also a good idea to purchase a bird cage with a slide-out bottom tray for easy cleaning.

ideas-4-pets have a good selection of good quality bird cages and parrot cages incuding the Montana range who produce innovative and well-designed bird cages for all types of domestic birds. 

You might also want to consider purchasing a bird cage cover for your cage which will give your bird some privacy, darkness and protection from any draughts. 
 

Whether you decide to home a budgerigar or an African Grey, a Conure or lovebird, I am sure we will have the right bird cage for your bird as we have some brand new designs on offer, carefully designed by Michael Wagner of Montana.  Choose from a corner parrot cage, a square cage, a bird cage with an opening top so that your bird can play on the gym equipment outside his parrot cage or alternatively a dome top parrot cage with a large opening front door.

We have added to our great range of Montana bird cages and we think that these cages are probably the best bird cages you can currently buy.   Montana parrot cages are built with innovation and vision to designs based on extensive knowledge of bird and animal requirements.  They provide the ideal environment for your bird and will provide you with the best choice of home for your parrot.  Montana have paid great attention to detail and all their parrot cages are manufactured to very high quality standards.  They offer a one-of-a-kind craftsmanship with a unique design using the highest quality materials.

Their parrot cages are made from lead & zinc free AVILON and they are all oven baked with a powder coated finish which result in a long lasting and safe environment for birds.  They are available with both horizontal and vertical bars to facilitate climbing which all parrots love to do and most of them have a swing-out feeding system with stainless steel cups, making feeding your parrots an easy chore.

Parrot cages come in a great many shapes and sizes to suit both your budget and your requirements and ours have been carefully selected to ensure that they are of high quality.  You might also want to look at a bird cage cover to go with your parrot cage as it is important for parrots to get plenty of sleep in order for them to remain fit and healthy.

Firstly, a bird cage cover keeps out any draughts, keeping your bird warmer in the winter months.  It will help to keep out a certain amount of noise which is good if your parrot is kept in the same room as the family’s TV.  More importantly, a bird cage cover will keep out most of the light, which will assist your bird in sleeping.  A lot of people are unaware that most parrots need to sleep around 12 hours at night whilst most people only need around 6-8 hours. This difference can have a huge effect on your bird’s wellbeing as having the right amount of sleep will benefit his temperament and more importantly, his health.

In his natural habitat, a bird will usually sleep high in a tree where it feels protected by the foliage. A good quality cage cover will give your bird the same security that a tall tree gives him in the wild.
 
Although any material could work in theory, ideas-4-pets would advise you that it is better to buy a bird cage cover that is made for bird cages. Otherwise, you could run the risk of your bird becoming entangled in the material. It is also adviseable to purchase a bird cage cover that is washable.

Most bird cage covers are made from durable, poly-cotton black fabric which is stain and water resistant and the better quality ones are made from a non-toxic material.  They will have a front flap opening which can be lifted to provide access to the parrot cage door without removing the cover and this flap can then be secured on both sides with Velcro fasteners.

There are bird cage covers specifically designed to fit dome top parrot cages and also the play top or gym top parrot cages so you should be able to find one to fit the type of cage you have purchased for your bird.

It is adviseable to use a bird cage cover at roughly the same time each day because, just as we humans do, birds need a routine in order to feel safe, happy and secure.

In order for your bird to have his 12 hours sleep, a good idea is to put the cover on his cage at roughly 8.00pm and take it off again at 8.00am in the morning.

Although they are quite friendly, it is worth knowing that Zebra Finches will rarely become tame enough to perch on your finger like a budgerigar.  Some who have been hand-reared may do this, but generally they are happy to just respond when you talk to them but will not mimic your voice like a budgerigar does. To pick up a Zebra Finch, make sure your palm covers its back and wings while your middle and index finger surround the bird’s neck. Use your other fingers to support its body and feet and please be very gentle Zebra Finches will bite if they feel stressed or threatened. If your birds are housed in an outside aviary, then use a padded rim net and never try to catch one in mid flight – always wait until it is perched safely to avoid stress and injury.

There are lots of bird cages on the market that are ideal of finches and they come in various shapes and sizes.  However, even in the largest of bird cages, they will need regular exercise outside their bird cage and are at their most active during the daytime, sleeping once it gets dark.

Zebra finches would appreciate either a large cage with a plastic base in the house or in a purpose-built aviary outside. If you are considering the former, then the bird cage should include some horizontal bars set at different heights because they love to hop from one bar to another.  A large square or oblong cage works the best with bars no wider than 12mm apart otherwise they may get their heads stuck or try to escape. If you opt for an outdoor bird aviary, then you should make sure there is plenty of room inside the aviary for the birds to fly around in.  Zebra Finches that are kept in the house should be let out of their cage daily to exercise once they are familiar with the room you have placed them in.  Don’t forget to shut all the doors and windows before letting them out or you could have your birds flying out of the door or window.  All birds need plenty of sleep, so ideas-4-pets advise you to cover the parrot cage with a bird cage cover to encourage your birds to settle down quietly. The bird cage should always be placed in a position away from draughts and direct sunlight.

Because Zebra Finches love to play, it’s a good idea to provide them with plenty of toys in their cage to keep them mentally and physically stimulated. They like to climb and so should be let out of their cage at least once a day for exercise.  You could purchase a small table-top bird play stand but make sure that it is suitable for this type of bird before purchasing.  Providing a bath for your Zebra Finches is also a good idea.  You can either fix it to the outside of the bird cage or place a shallow bowlinside the cage for them to splash around in.  Some birds prefer to be sprayed with tepid water instead.

You will notice when purchasing a Zebra Finch that they come in assorted colours and markings. The most common colours are fawn, grey or white and typical markings are black breasted, penguin, yellow beak, and crested.  They eat a wide range of seeds, grains, and vegetation when they are in the wild but when kept as pets, you should look for a specially-formulated Finch mix with a few supplements added. Small pieces of fresh fruit and vegetables are also enjoyed as treats and as with all pets, make sure they have easy access to fresh drinking water.  It’s certainly worth remembering that birds can be poisoned if given avocado, lemon, potato, lettuce or any sweets or drinks that are made for humans. A Cuttlefish bone placed in the cage will provide your birds with some extra calcium.

As mentioned before, Zebra Finches can be kept alone but prefer the company of their own kind. They can be as a male and female pair, although if just keeping a few birds together, either sex should get along fine together. For larger aviaries it’s usually best to keep more females than males as, like other birds, they will become territorial and may fight over the females. You can also mix pairs of Zebra Finches with other soft-billed small birds such as canaries although if kept in a breeding aviary you shouldn’t mix more than 2 species together.

To give your birds the best in life, make sure they are fed a good balanced diet with no sudden changes which can affect their digestive systems, Keep them entertained and amused by supplying them with lots of toys, make sure that their Water bottle and feed bowls are cleaned daily and that they have easy access to clean, fresh water all the time, Try to use peaches that file their nails as this avoids having to have them clipped, let them have access to a daily bath as they need to preen themselves to keep clean and lastly, ensure they have daily exercise outside their cage.

In captivity, however, your parrot will not have this freedom and you will have to allow your bird to have some time to exercise, entertain and express himself.  Your parrot can’t let himself out of his cage whenever he wants to fly around, he has to rely on you letting him out when it suits you.  So choosing a parrot cage which will allow him to be happy while you’re out of the house or at work is essential as he will be left in his cage for a large part of each day. Read up about the type of parrot you intend keeping and then decide which parrot cage would be suitable for you and more importantly your parrot. Consider how much space you can spare in your home – this is important as you would not want to purchase a large Macaw if you lived in a small flat for instance.

Choose a bird cage that will provide your bird with a comfortable environment and buy the largest bird cage you can possibly afford that is suitable for both your home and your bird. ideas-4-pets suggest that at a minimum, the diameter of the floor should be at least twice the span of your bird’s fully extended wingspan and the minimum height of the parrot cage should be at least one and half times the overall length of your bird from the top of his head to the tip of his tail. This measurement is based on one bird per cage but if you intend to keep two birds in the parrot cage then these dimensions must be increased by a minimum of at least 50%.

The spacing of the bars in the parrot cage is critical. You have to make sure that your parrot’s head will not fit through the bars as they could get their head stuck and not be able to get back in. The thickness of the bars of the parrot could easily bend, if not break, thin bars. If the cage has some horizontal bars for the bird to climb up and down this is ideal because although birds can navigate up and down vertical bars, it is more difficult for them.

ideas-4-pets have lots of designs of parrot cages to suit all tastes but generally a rectangular metal parrot cage, preferably longer than it is tall, is probably one of the best designs as it will allow your bird to hop from perch to perch. Tall, narrow cages can sometimes be less practical as most birds don’t fly straight up and down. Round cages can create a situation in which every perch across its width is in some way directly over the perch below it and this can lead to constant soiling of the perches below.  This is because in a parrot cage of this shape, the bird is only able to perch in one position or climb up the sides of the cage, which can also lead to food and water containers being soiled with faeces as well.

In the lower price range, you can purchase cages made of wire amd the wire may or may not be painted or powder-coated. These cages come in sizes suitable up to a medium sized parrot such as a Pionus. If you have to choose a wire bird cage be sure that the wire is not made of a metal that is toxic to parrots and that if painted the paint doesn’t contain lead.

Most of the more expensive cages are made of iron or steel and are then sandblasted and powder-coated but as before, be sure the coating isn’t toxic and that any paint doesn’t contain lead. These iron or steel parrot cages are durable, long lasting, and withstand busy beaks and escape artists. We have a great selection of Montana parrot cages which are an excellent made with smooth welds and no sharp edges to injure your bird.  All doors on parrot cages should be escape-proof or easily made to lock with a clip or lock. Stainless-steel cages are the best as they are non-toxic, indestructible, easy to keep clean, but cost wise are probably the most expensive.  Remember that when purchasing a parrot one of the most important things to think about is the expected life span of the bird compared to saving money on a cage.

Place your parrot cage where your parrot will gets lots of interaction with you and your family. It’s not a good thing to place his cage in a room where the sudden appearance of anyone coming and going into the room could startle or frighten him and ideally, his cage should be against a wall so that he feels secure. Situate the parrot cage where it can get some natural light as this helps to keep your bird healthy. Avoid it being right in front of a window as excessive sunshine or people moving around outside might cause ythe kitchen may be giving off fumes that could be toxic to your parrot, it’s not a good idea to site his or rooms where the temperature can fluctuate. A normal house temperature of about 21-27° C (70-80° F) will be tolerated well by your parrot. Remember that parrots should NEVER be exposed to cigarette or cigar smoke, or burning candles etc.

Purchase a bird cage cover for your parrot’s cage as parrots need to have lots of sleep in order to remain healthy and lively.  At bed-time, place the parrot cage cover over his cage and he will rest much better than in a room with the TV on or lights switched on and off. 

The parrot cage and all its contents must be kept in pristine condition all the time if you want to keep your parrot happy, lively and enjoy his company for a long time.

You should also carefully consider the choice of perches used, as your parrot will spend most of his time standing on one inside his parrot cage. The best perches are natural tree branches such as washed, fresh  apple, elm, ash, maple or willow – these are both functional and attractive in the cage. If you go for natural branches, select a variety of diameters for your parrot to perch on. This will give him various textures, choice of grip and good exercise for his feet. Natural branches also provide entertainment value for birds that like to chew. Wood is more difficult to disinfect due to its porous nature, so make sure you wash and replace his perches regularly.

Some parrot cages have sandpaper covered perches but we would not recommended these as this type of perch will do little to wear your parrot’s nails down and could lead to serious foot irritation, sores or even deep infections. Plastic perches are very commonly used but although they are easy to clean and disinfect they can sometimes be slippery for gripping and seem to only be available in a couple of sizes. Larger parrots have been known to chew and splinter the plastic perches into sharp pieces.

The best water and food dishes for your parrot are made from stainless steel.  These are easy to clean and disinfect every day and should be attached securely to the side of the parrot cage. Don’t fill the dishes too deep or a lot of his food will be wasted. Position the dishes so that they are easily accessible and won’t be accidentally soiled with faeces. Most food bowls are attached to the side of the parrot cage and swing out for easy feeding, they should never be left on the bottom of the parrot cage as this is the bird’s “toilet”. As a lot of pet parrots enjoy a good bath once in a while, it’s a good idea to place a large shallow dish of water in the parrot cage so your parrot can have some fun. Some birds even like to be “misted” with a fine tepid water spray. Try this a few times to see how your bird reacts to it.

Whether you’re at home with your bird or out of work, a parrot needs some type of entertainment.  Imagine being cooped up all day on your own and how frustrating and boring it would be !! Parrots love to explore and play with toys, including pieces of rope, stainless steel mirrors, bells, hanging toys,etc. and will also love pieces of wood to chew on whilst in the cage.   You can choose a selection of entertaining toys for your parrot from your local pet shop.

You might also like to consider a parrot play stand so that when he out of his cage, he has a safe place to perch and play and stretch his wings.  There are plenty of different shapes and sizes of bird play stands to choose from and you are sure to find one to suit the species of parrot you intend to own. 

As there are no real quality controls or regulations to provide safe toys for your parrot, you take great care to ensure that the toys you choose to put in his parrot cage are free from potential dangers. Amy parrot toys that can easily be taken apart or broken are dangerous as are certain types of rope which can be untangled and get fast around his beak or his toes.  Rope made from synthetic fibres can sometimes be a real problem, so make sure you know what you are buying. Rubber toys can be easily chewed into pieces by certain species of parrot so must be avoided to ensure your parrot does not choke.   Lastly, make sure the toys you choose are not too small as these can be swallowed easily.

Some birds have been known to love hiding in cardboard boxes or paper bags or you can purchase highly coloured tents for your parrot to hide in. If you have an assortment of toys, these can be rotated every week so that your parrot doesn’t get bored with playing with the same ones.  All your parrot’s toys should be washed and disinfected periodicially, but remember to rinse them very well after washing with clean water.
 

Buying a pet parrot, as with any other pet,  is a big decision so please take your time and read up on the different breeds that are available, there temperaments, size, etc. before jumping in with both feet !!  Make a list of all the equipment you will have to purchase before the parrot comes home eg. bird cage, parrot play stand, bird cage cover, parrot toys, parrot food, etc.

Because parrots are such intelligent birds, you should do your upmost on a daily basis to give your parrot some fun time and lots of enjoyment either in or out of his parrot cage. 

Providing your parrot with a good quality range of safe toys to play with and a selection of items to chew on in his parrot cage, will greatly increase your parrot’s happiness and well being and will also encourage you, as a parrot owner, to interact with your parrot reguarly.  Good interaction has benefits for both you and for your parrot and will help promote a healthy, playful, happy bird.  Without parrot play there is a good chance your parrot could become bored and perhaps this could bring the onset of Feather Plucking which is most unpleasant to see and also painful for your parrot.

Bird perches and parrot stands act like a bird gym and will give your parrot plenty of exercise and climbing room.  They come in many shapes, sizes, designs and different materials so are very much a personal choice by the individual.   There are smaller types of bird stands for the smaller parrot and the larger parrot play stands for the larger breeds.

You can even have them custom made, floor or table standing.   If you add a variety of different parrot toys onto the parrot play stand  for climbing, swinging, etc. your parrot will throroughly enjoy playing on the stand for long periods of time.  This time out of his parrot cage will also enable him to stretch his wings and have a taste of freedom which he will greatly appreciate. 

When he’s had enough of all this activity he will gladly go back into his parrot cage and will be happy to sleep until the next big day.  A parrot cage cover is ideal for shutting out the light and draughts and giving your parrot some quiet, private time to rest and sleep – parrots enjoy their sleep as much as we humans do and sleep deprivation can greatly affect their health.

Did you know that there are two types of budgies – the American budgie or parakeet and the English budgie. English budgies are larger than the American variety and have a different appearance to the American budgies, but all budgies belong to the same species, Melopsittacus undulatus. The average budgie lives to about 10-15 years old but some have been reported as living to be 20 years old !

They originate from Australia and their normal wild coloration is green with black bars on the wings, back and head.  Mature females have a tan or beige cere which is the fleshy part around the nostrils and the males have a bluish cere.  Having said this, it is unreliable in some of the colour variations and young birds of both sexes have pink ceres. Young budgies have bar markings on the forehead that recede with age and their eyes have dark irises that gradually become grey with age.  However,  this isn’t necessarily true for all colours and through selective breeding a huge variety of colours and patterns are available.  There are wonderful colours such as violet, blue, yellow, pied, albino, and others.

Some budgie owners like to have pairs of birds as they make good company for each other, but it is worth knowing that if you do this, they may then not bond as well with their owners or mimic speech as well. A single bird is fine, but you must spend a significant amount of time interacting with a single budgie on a daily basis as they are very playful and active and love the company.  Although the budgie is quieter than some other parrots they can still be noisy !!

When choosing a bird, it’s best to choose a hand fed baby or at least a young bird that has been handled regularly. You may have to pay more for a hand reared or very young bird, but it’s worth the extra cost and ideally you should purchase your baby bird from a good breeder as they will be able to advise you of their age and history.  If you purchase one from a pet shop, the bird may have an unknown history and if it is older will be more challenging to bond with and tame.

Always look for a bird that is bright, alert and active because a bird that is sitting quietly with puffed feathers could be ill.  His body feathers should be smooth and shiny and lay down flat against his body. The feathers around his back end  should be clean, dry, and free of faecal matter. The scales on his feet should be smooth and his nails should be seen to be in good condition, his beak should be smooth and well-shaped with his nostrils looking clear and clean.

Because Budgies are active and playful, you should purchase a large bird cage or parrot cage to allow room for his toys and room for him to exercise. The minimum bird cage size that you should look for should be approx. 18 ins wide x 18 ins deep x 20 ins high but as with all pet housing, the larger the better. The spacing between the bars of the cage should be 0.5ins or less and horizontal cage bars will offer your bird the best opportunity for climbing and exercise. Look for a bird cage that has at  least 2 perches at different levels with enough space to comfortably move between them.  If you can offer your bird a variety of perch sizes this will help to keep his feet in good shape .

Your bird will need easy and constant access to clean fresh water and you should feed him with a quality bird food to suit his breed – your vet or breeder will  be able to advise you  on this.  A cuttlefish bone placed in his bird cage will help him to keep his beak in trim and will also supply him with calcium.

Remember, that even with a large bird cage, budgies need play and socialization time outside his cage is still very important.  You may want to consider purchasing a bird play stand which again will give him an opportunity to play and exercise and also keep you, his owner, well entertained!!  Lastly, but an important factor is that birds need to sleep just as we do and so it is important to provide him with a bird cage cover so that he can have some rest time.  And  it is also important not to place your bird cage in a draught, in the full sun or in a room that is smokey as none of these places will be a healthy place for your bird to live.