Can my budgie eat chili peppers? Is my budgie American or Australian?

Happy birthday, Peko! I'm not entirely sure what smackers and petsile fruits are, but they look to be some sort of seed treat made especially for birds, so it should be OK to give. If you'd like to give the birds a special treat, some veggies such as salad greens, berries, fruits like a little apple or pear, etc can all be given as a fun snack as an alternate option. Other items such as spray millet are another fun treat most budgies enjoy. Make sure you are giving any treats in moderation and still feeding their regular diet to ensure they stay healthy and do not have any GI upset.

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I do not recommend feeding such plants to finches or budgies as they may be toxic. Finches and budgies can eat a commercially available seed or pelleted diet (found in most pet stores or on the internet). They can have occasional treats of fruits and vegetables, but I would avoid any medicine plants or herbs. I hope this helps and am happy to answer any other questions you may have!

Just like people- birds can become picky eaters. We love to eat potato chips over our veggies, and many birds will enjoy millet over their regular diet! You may need to remove all the 'extras' to see if it will encourage Pepper to start eating his diet again, or mix a little millet in to his regular food (however some birds will pick out their favorites). If he's acting ill in addition to not wanting to eat his regular food, and isn't still improving as you mentioned, or he absolutely refuses even if all millet is removed, seeking vet care is always a good idea to rule out an illness or something such as GI upset that could be causing his preferences to be changed. Until you can get to the vet, keeping him warm, in a separated hospital cage, and with easy access to food and water can help.

Thanks for reaching out about Cheeya. You are correct that birds need more than seeds/pellets to thrive. A wide variety of vegetables including greens, red/orange/yellow vegetables such as carrots and squashes. Fruits are more like treats, due to high sugar content. As per handling them. It is a continuation of winning their trust and offering treats. Good luck.

Parakeets, also called Budgerigars, are small members of the parrot family and they can become good mimics. The average adult size is 7 inches long, head to end of tail. The average life span is between 10 to 20 years with proper care. A well-balanced Parakeet diet consists of: Specialized pellets should make up 60-70% of diet, fresh vegetables and fruits and small amounts of fortified seeds Clean, fresh, filtered, chlorine-free water, changed daily. Do not feed birds: avocado, fruit seeds, chocolate, caffeine or alcohol; it can cause serious medical conditions. Avoid sugar and high fat treats. Things to remember when feeding your Parakeet: Fresh food and water should always be available. Vegetables and fruits not eaten within a few hours should be discarded. Remember, treats should not exceed 10% of total food intake. Housing Parakeets acclimate well to average household temperatures, not to exceed 80°F; be cautious of extreme temperature changes. The habitat should area that is well-lit and away from drafts. A habitat approximately 18"W x 18"D x 18"H, with metal bars spaced no greater than 1-2" apart, makes a good home for one Parakeet. A flight habitat is strongly recommended. It is best to provide the largest habitat possible. Perches should be at least 4" long and 3-8" in diameter; a variety of perch sizes to exercise feet and help prevent arthritis is recommended. Perches should be at least 4" long and 3-8" in diameter; a variety of perch sizes to exercise feet and help prevent arthritis is recommended. A metal grate over the droppings tray will keep the bird away from droppings; line the droppings tray with habitat paper or appropriate substrate for easier cleaning. To avoid contamination, do not place food or water containers under perches. Parakeets can be kept alone to bond with pet parent or in pairs to bond with each other. Different birds she not be housed together. Normal Behavior Parakeets are talkers, but their little voices are sometimes hard to hear. Active and need daily time out of their habitats to interact with family. Keep in pairs if unable to devote daily interaction time. Provide foraging toys, which provide important mental stimulation. Housing Maintenance Clean and disinfect the habitat and perches regularly; replace substrate or habitat liner weekly or more often as needed. Replace perches, dishes, and toys when worn or damaged; rotate new toys into the habitat regularly. Ensure that there are no habitat parts or toys with lead, zinc or lead-based paints or galvanized parts as these can cause serious medical issues if ingested by your bird. Do not use a lot of cleaning agents around your bird a natural cleaner. Grooming & Hygiene Provide filtered, chlorine-free, lukewarm water regularly for bathing; remove the water when done. As an alternative, mist the bird with water. Clipping flight feathers is not necessary, but when done correctly it can help prevent injury or escape; consult an avian veterinarian on what is best for your bird. Nails should be trimmed by a qualified person to prevent injury to the bird. Signs of a Healthy Animal: Active, alert, and sociable Eats and drinks throughout the day Dry nares and bright, dry eyes Beak, legs and feet normal in appearance Clean, dry vent Smooth, well-groomed feathers Common Health Issues Chlamydiosis: Appetite loss, fluffed feathers, nasal discharge, green stool. Seek immediate avian veterinary attention. Diarrhea: Fecal portion of stool is not formed. Multiple causes from diet change to internal parasites. Consult with an avian veterinarian and ensure proper diet. Feather plucking: Bird plucks own feathers; may be due to boredom, poor diet or other illness. Consult your veterinarian and relieve boredom with attention, new toys or new space. Mites (scaly face and leg disease): White deposits on eyes, beak, legs, and feet. Consult your veterinarian. Red Flags Beak swelling or accumulations Fluffed, plucked, or soiled feathers Sitting on floor

It could be that Tweety just isn't used to apple yet. I would keep offering it to see if she starts to like it. Other veggies such as salad greens, strawberries, broccoli, etc may be fun for her to try out. Remove any uneaten food daily to avoid spoiling.

Hello. I am so very sorry for the loss of Willy. Thank you for reaching out and asking your question. You should know that the hot peppers had nothing to do with his passing and you’re correct that parrots are not affected by capsaicin as are other animals. If you have more questions regarding Willy’s health and passing, or if you would like to discuss anything else, please don’t hesitate to request a consult. Again, I’m so sorry for your loss. I hope you can find some comfort in the good memories you have of your long, 15 year friendship. Take care.