Parasites and Pests in Budgies

Budgies can suffer from external parasites like mites and lice. Learn how to spot, prevent, and treat these pests to keep your budgie comfortable. 

Even in a clean cage, budgies can still be affected by parasites and pests. These tiny troublemakers can cause serious health issues if not caught early — but with the right knowledge and care, they’re easy to manage and even prevent.

This guide explains the most common parasites and pests that affect budgies, what signs to look for, and how to treat and prevent them.

🪳 1. 

Mites

The most common pest budgies get — and they can be hard to spot at first.

🐤 Types of mites:

• Scaly face mites – affect the beak, cere, eyes, and feet

• Feather mites – make feathers look ragged or cause over-preening

• Air sac mites – affect breathing (rare but serious)

🔍 Signs of mites:

• Crusty or flaky build-up on beak, nostrils, or feet

• Bald spots or broken feathers

• Constant scratching or preening

• Trouble breathing (in severe cases)

✅ What to do:

• See an avian vet for proper diagnosis and treatment

• Don’t try home remedies — some are dangerous

• Clean cage, toys, and perches with bird-safe disinfectant

• Separate infected birds if you have more than one

🦟 2. 

Lice and Bird Fleas

These are less common but can show up, especially in outdoor aviaries or from wild birds.

🔍 Signs:

• Excessive scratching

• Tiny crawling bugs near feathers or vent

• Red or irritated skin

• Feather loss

✅ What to do:

• Use bird-safe lice treatments (from a vet or pet store)

• Deep clean cage and bedding

• Quarantine new birds before introducing them to others

🦠 3. 

Internal Parasites (Worms)

Budgies can sometimes pick up intestinal worms through contaminated food, water, or contact with infected birds.

🔍 Signs:

• Weight loss despite normal eating

• Watery or unusual droppings

• Lethargy

• Poor feather condition

✅ What to do:

• Your vet can test droppings and give anti-parasitic meds

• Always clean food/water dishes daily

• Avoid letting your budgie eat from the ground or dirty surfaces

🧼 4. 

Prevention Tips

• Quarantine new birds for 2–4 weeks before adding them to your flock

• Clean the cage and toys weekly with bird-safe products

• Wash your hands before and after handling birds

• Avoid contact with wild birds or their droppings

• Keep cage dry and well-ventilated to discourage pests

• Do regular health checks to spot early signs of trouble

🧡 Final Tip

Parasites and pests may be tiny, but they can cause big problems if ignored. A clean environment, close observation, and fast treatment are the best ways to keep your budgie itch-free, stress-free, and thriving.