Budgie Care in New Zealand: Feeding, Housing, Health & Enrichment

Budgies (budgerigars) are cheerful, social little birds that bring plenty of colour and personality into a Kiwi home. To keep them happy and healthy, you’ll need the right food, housing, enrichment, and ongoing care. Here’s your complete guide to caring for budgies in New Zealand, with tips and essentials you can find at Pets Warehouse.

Setting Up a Comfortable Home

Budgies need space to move, climb, and flap their wings. Choose a roomy cage with horizontal bars so they can climb with ease. Place the cage in a quiet spot away from draughts, direct sun, and kitchen fumes. Safe daily out-of-cage time is also important for their wellbeing.

Inside the cage, add different bird perches, swings, and safe budgie toys to keep them engaged. Mirrors and bells are popular, but balance them with interactive play so your budgie doesn’t become overly attached to reflections.

Feeding Your Budgie Right

A balanced diet keeps budgies healthy and full of energy. Start with a quality budgie seed mix or complete pellet blend. Fresh vegetables like carrot, spinach, and capsicum make great daily additions. Fruit can be offered as an occasional treat — apples and pears are usually favourites.

Calcium is essential, especially during moulting or breeding. Keep a cuttlebone in the cage, and make sure fresh water is always available.

Keeping Their Mind Busy

Budgies are intelligent and love to stay active. Rotate their toys often to keep things exciting. Try ladders, puzzle feeders, and swings to encourage natural behaviours. Millet sprays are a tasty reward and great for foraging, but use them sparingly.

Looking After Budgie Health

In New Zealand, budgies may face issues like mites or worms, so including bird health products in their routine is important. Keep the cage clean to avoid bacterial build-up and watch for signs of illness, such as puffed feathers, changes in droppings, or less chirping than usual.

If anything seems off, visit a vet with avian experience for proper care.

Building a Bond

Budgies thrive on social interaction. Spend time talking, whistling, or gently training them with treats. Many budgies enjoy learning simple tricks or chatting back once they feel comfortable.

You can also create a safe play area outside the cage with bird play gyms to give them more variety and exercise.

Happy Budgies, Happy Homes

With the right housing, food, enrichment, and health care, your budgie can live a long, joyful life. At Pets Warehouse, you’ll find everything you need from nutritious bird food and toys to health essentials to give your feathered friend the best care possible.