Budgie and lovebird care: cage, food and safety

Budgies and lovebirds are among the commonest pet birds in Egyptian homes, and many people see them as an "easy" pet. In fact a budgie can live 8 to 12 years and a lovebird 10 to 15, and both need attention every day.

Company

• Budgies are flock birds. They do best with one or two of their own kind. If you keep just one, you need to talk to it and play with it every day.
• Lovebirds kept as a pair often bond more with each other than with people, while a young single bird can become very attached to its owner.
• Lovebirds can be aggressive towards other birds, even larger ones. Don't mix species in one cage.

The cage

• Big enough for the bird to fly from perch to perch and fully spread its wings without touching anything. Small decorative cages aren't enough.
• Perches of different sizes and materials, and a shallow dish of water for bathing.
• Somewhere quiet and shaded, out of direct summer sun, away from the kitchen and draughts.
• Out of reach of cats, even a cat that "never does anything".

Food

• Seed alone isn't enough. Birds pick their favourite seeds, which leads to poor nutrition and weight gain.
• The base should be bird pellets, with fresh vegetables and leafy greens every day and fruit now and then.
• Clean water every day, plus a cuttlebone or mineral block.
• Avocado is toxic to birds, every part of it. Keep salty human food away too.
• Switch from seed to pellets gradually, and ask a vet who treats birds.

Dangers at home

• Non-stick (PTFE) pans that overheat give off an odourless gas that can kill birds quickly. Keep birds out of the kitchen entirely.
• Sprays, insecticides, perfumes and cigarette smoke. Birds' airways are very sensitive.
• Open windows and ceiling fans when the bird is out of its cage.
• Metals such as lead and zinc in some toys and galvanised items.