Avian Medicine:
Basic Information Sheet for the Parakeet

• Species
• Taxonomy
• Conservation status
• Physical description
• Diet
• Husbandry
• Behavior
• Normal physiologic values
• Anatomy/physiology
• Restraint
• Venipuncture
• Preventive medicine
• Injections
• Important medical conditions
• References

“Parakeet” is a broad term for a small parrot with a long tail. There are many parakeet species, however the most popular pet parakeet is the Budgerigar parakeet or “Budgie”. Free-ranging “Budgies” live in large flocks in a variety of habitats such as woodlands, open grassland, and dry scrub throughout non-coastal Australia and Tasmania. Another popular species is Bourke’s parakeet, which is from the southern and eastern regions of Australia.

Melopsittacus undulates – Budgerigar parakeet or “Budgie”
Neopsephotus bourkii – Bourke’s parakeet

Bourke’s parakeet is on CITES Appendix II, which means they are not necessarily threatened with extinction, but may become so unless their trade is strictly regulated. Six parakeet species listed on Appendix I: Blue-chested, Forbes’s, Golden, Horned, Mauritius, and Red-fronted parakeets. Appendix I species are threatened with extinction, and commercial trade is prohibited and importation/exportation for scientific research requires special permits. The IUCN lists the Budgerigar parakeet’s conservation status of “least concern”.

• The standard or wild-type budgerigar parakeet has yellow feathers barred with black on the back of its heads and body with plain yellow feathers on the forehead and throat. A row of black dots sit across the throat and greenish-yellow feathers are found on the underside.
• The two basic types of pet Budgerigar parakeet are the English “budgie”, a show bird with a bigger head and chest, and the American “budgie” a more active bird with a shorter tail.
• Numerous mutant color varieties have been bred into the captive population.
• Budgerigar parakeets are sexually dimorphic. The cere may be blue in males, pink or brown in females, and pearlescent in juveniles.

• Budgerigar parakeets are granivores. Free-ranging birds are ground feeders foraging for grass seeds and chenopod seeds. Budgies have also been reported to eat grain crops.
• Since psittacines hull seeds before ingestion, they do not require grit. In fact, some individuals will overeat grit when ill putting the bird at risk for impaction.
• All-seed diets are deficient in protein, vitamins, and minerals including calcium and vitamin A.

• Provide a cage that is a minimum of 18 in (46 cm) wide and long. Cage length is more important than height.
• Cage bar spacing should be approximately 3/8 in (0.95 cm).
• Perch diameter should be between 3/8 to 3/4 in (0.95-1.9 cm). Sand paper perch covers are very abrasive to the feet, and are not recommended.
• Consider housing in pairs or groups.
• Offer regular baths or misting with water to maintain healthy plumage.

• Grey parrots are very intelligent birds. They are often able to mimic many sounds and talk.
• These intelligent birds require plenty of physical and mental stimulation.
• If special efforts are not taken, Greys can easily become “one person” birds.
• Feather damaging behavior is a common problem in Grey parrots, particularly in individuals that are not given the attention they need or with abrupt changes in routine.

• The “Budgie” heart rate is 7 times faster than in humans.
• Anatomic traits of Order Psittaciformes include:
  • Communication of the right and left nasal sinus
  • The only avian tongue with intrinsic muscles
  • Simply syrinx
  • Craniofacial hinge of beak is a synovial joint
  • Ceca absent
  • Gall bladder often absent
  • Zygodactyl foot: two toes pointed backward and two pointed forward

Budgies may be restrained by holding the head between index and middle fingers. Support the body with the palm of the hand as well as the thumb and little finger.

Use a 27-gauge needle and 1 to 3-mL syringe to draw blood from the right jugular vein. Collection of up to 1% of body weight is acceptable in healthy patients.

• Obtain a complete history and perform a thorough annual physical examination.
• Establish baseline data with regular clinical testing (complete blood count, protein electrophoresis, and plasma biochemistries.
• Ensure proper nutrition and husbandry.
• Recommend quarantine of newly acquired birds.
• Perform additional testing for select diseases based on history and physical exam findings: avian polyoma virus, psittacosis, M. ornithogaster (fecal wet mount).
• Determine the origin and history of newly acquired sick birds to contain and prevent further spread of disease.

Beynon P (ed). BSAVA Manual of Psittacine Birds. Ames, Iowa: Iowa State University Press, 1996. 7-9, 33, 37. Print.

Carpenter J (ed). Exotic Animal Formulary. 3rd ed. St. Louis, MO; Elsevier Saunders; 2005. Pp. 278-279.

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Appendices I, II, and III.  Valid from Apr 27, 2011. Available at: http://www.cites.org/eng/app/appendices.php. Accessed June 8, 2011.

Finkelstein A. Normal cloacal temperatures in multiple avian species. Proc Annu Conf Assoc Avian Vet;  2004. P. 383.

Harcourt-Brown N, Chitty J (eds).  BSAVA Manual of Psittacine Birds, 2nd ed. Quedgeley, Glouchester: British Small Animal Veterinary Association; 2005. Pp. 3, 5-7, 16. 

Harrison GJ, Harrison LR. Clinical Avian Medicine and Surgery, Appendix 4, Philadelphia; W.B. Saunders; 1986. P.662.

Harrison GJ, Lightfoot TL (eds). Clinical Avian Medicine. Palm Beach, FL: Spix Publishing; 2006. Pp. 583-585.

IUCN 2010. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2010.4. Available at:  www.iucnredlist.org. Accessed June 12, 2011

Koustos EA, Matson KD, Klasing KC. Nutrition of birds in the order Psittaciformes: a review. J Avian Med Surg15(4):257-275, 2001.

Lafeber Company. The Parakeet. LafeberCares Web site. Available at: http://www.lafebercares.com/knowledge/birds/parakeet.html. Accessed May 16, 2011.

Low R. Parrots in aviculture: A photoreference guide. Pickering, Ontario; Silvio Mattachione & Co; 1992. P. 82.

Morgan D. Bird Care. Neptune City, NJ: TFH Publications; 2005. Pp. 17, 18.

O’Malley B. Clinical Anatomy and Physiology of Exotic Species. Edinburgh: Elsevier Saunders; 2005. Pp. 156-157.

Tully TN. Birds. In: Mitchell M, Tully TN (eds). Manual of Exotic Pet Practice. St. Louis, MO: Saunders; 2008. Pp. 254, 270-271, 276.

Tully TN, Lawton MPC, Dorrestein GM. Avian Medicine. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann, 2000. Pp. 14-15, 26-34, 43-51.