Lesson 9: Budgie Health & Wellness

🐦 Welcome to Lesson 9!

Budgies are small but mighty — and when they’re healthy, they’re full of energy, chirps, and curiosity. But because they’re prey animals, they hide symptoms of illness very well. That’s why you need to know what’s normal and what’s not.

This lesson is all about staying on top of your budgie’s health through daily observation, proper hygiene, and knowing when to act. Prevention is the key!

✅ What You’ll Learn:

• What a healthy budgie looks and acts like

• Early warning signs of illness

• How to do a quick daily health check

• When to call a vet

• Basic hygiene and care tips

• Common health problems and how to avoid them

🟢 What a Healthy Budgie Looks Like

Signs of Good Health:

• Active, alert, and responsive

• Clean, bright eyes

• Smooth, glossy feathers

• Normal breathing (quiet and steady)

• Regular chirping and interaction

• Eating and drinking normally

• Droppings look consistent (green, white, no odor)

🧠 Get to know your budgie’s normal behavior — any change could be a clue.

🔴 Early Warning Signs of Illness

Budgies can get sick quickly — these signs mean something’s wrong:

🚨 Fluffed up for long periods

🚨 Sitting at the bottom of the cage

🚨 Tail bobbing while breathing

🚨 Loss of appetite or weight

🚨 Discharge from nose or eyes

🚨 Dirty vent or watery droppings

🚨 Changes in behavior (suddenly quiet or aggressive)

🚨 Bleeding or injuries

🛑 If you see any of these signs, contact an avian vet immediately.

🔎 Daily Health Check (Takes 30 Seconds!)

• ✅ Is your budgie alert and active?

• ✅ Are their feathers neat and preened?

• ✅ Are they eating and drinking?

• ✅ Do their droppings look normal?

• ✅ Are they breathing quietly?

Make this a habit — do it each morning and night!

🧼 Clean Budgie = Healthy Budgie

Good hygiene keeps your bird safe from infection and parasites.

Daily:

• Change food & water

• Remove old food or wet veggies

• Change cage liner

Weekly:

• Scrub food and water dishes

• Clean perches, toys, and cage surfaces

• Wash play areas and stands

Monthly:

• Deep clean cage

• Trim nails (if needed) or visit a vet/groomer

• Weigh your budgie to track changes

🧠 Common Budgie Health Problems

🟡 Obesity

• From too many seeds or no flight time

• Fix: balanced diet + daily exercise

🟡 Scaly Face Mites

• Crusty buildup on beak/feet

• Vet treatment needed

🟡 Egg Binding (in females)

• Straining, sitting low, fluffed up

• Emergency vet situation

🟡 Respiratory Infections

• Sneezing, tail bobbing, open-mouth breathing

• Needs immediate care

🟡 Crop Issues (in chicks)

• Crop not emptying, vomiting

• Needs vet + crop flushing

🏥 Finding an Avian Vet

Always have a qualified avian vet on file — not just a regular dog & cat vet!

Search:

🔎 “avian vet + [your area]”

✅ Ask bird breeders, rescues, or budgie forums

✅ Keep their number saved in case of emergencies

📋 Quick Wellness Checklist:

• Budgie is active, eating, and chirping

• Droppings are normal

• Cage is clean and safe

• Fresh food and water every day

• Toys and enrichment available

• Vet contact info saved

• You check them visually every day

🎉 You’ve nearly finished the course!

You’re now confident in reading your budgie’s health and keeping them safe. The final lesson will cover long-term care, lifestyle tips, and how to keep your budgie happy for life. 🌈