So you've decided to go in for a parakeet, but are not sure whether you should do it? You're having recurrent doubts in matters of what to do with it? How to care for it? What will it eat? What if it does not adjust well? All these questions can drive you up the wall and it can get very overwhelming. But that's what we are here for. We'll give you some great tips on parakeet care that will help ease you through the experience. Attitude Adjustment Having a bird as a pet should be a fun task. Get one if you really like them and are willing to enjoy the entire experience. This will help you care for the parakeet better and the joy you get from it will be unparalleled. Parakeets are extremely intelligent and alert birds and keeping one will lead to a great experience. Make a Choice The first thing you need to decide is the kind of parakeet that you want to go in for. There are several varieties available in the market. Choose one that you like best. Will a big parakeet be difficult for you to handle? Is a smaller one better? You need to ask yourself this and other such questions before making a choice. Prepare the Cage Buy a big, airy cage that acts as the bird house so that your parakeet does not feel claustrophobic. Line it with a newspaper, which you need to change every few days. Supply it with bowls for water and food. This is the most essential part of parakeet care. If the cage is not already equipped with a wooden perch, purchase one yourself. Perches are essential for any bird. Cover the cage with a cloth on a few sides―this will lend a safety niche to the bird and help keep the draft away at night. Buy Seeds and Toys Buy high quality seeds for the parakeet that have no artificial flavors. Also make sure that you buy some toys like bells or swings for the bird. This goes a long way in effective care. Parakeets are active birds that love to play and tend to suffer mentally and emotionally if not stimulated enough. Make sure that you buy safe toys that do not harm the bird in any way. Environment for the Parakeet It is natural for a parakeet to be scared when you bring him into his new surroundings. Make sure that there are no loud noises when you get him in. Play soft music so that there is some or the other form of sound always present. NEVER be quiet because the bird will take it as a sign of danger. Talk to the bird in soft tones. Over time, the bird will realize that it is a safe environment and will start exploring his cage. Eating Habits Feed the bird with seeds twice a day. The remainder of the time, he needs to be given fresh fruits and vegetables like carrots, leafy greens, beet, peas, or parsley. This is necessary in order to supplement his nutrition, as an only-seed diet is not sufficient. Change the water every day and keep a constant check on it, especially on hot days. Also, put a mineral block in the cage so that the parakeet can grind at it for its daily mineral and calcium needs. Cleaning the Bird Not many people know that parakeets love to have baths. It helps to keep them clean and healthy. Do not carry a bathing bowl to the cage, but instead, take your parakeet to it. Make sure that the water is tepid. The level should only be enough so that the parakeet's head is easily above the water when he is in it. Let the bird take time to acclimatize itself. Once it does, it will enjoy the bathing experience tremendously. After the bath, make sure to keep the parakeet in a cool and airy place to dry off. Interacting with the Bird It is extremely important to interact with the bird daily, especially if it is alone. Talk to it for at least 30 minutes. Carry it along on your shoulder when you do work and keep singing to it. It will love this. If they are a pair of birds that you have, then it is crucial that you interact with them because they will bond amongst themselves and completely ignore you otherwise. Try and sing to them or make them repeat words or play the drop and catch game with them. This will help them to regard you as one of the clan. Daily Exercises Exercises are an important part of parakeet care. If the parakeet does not get some daily exercise, it will get fat and that will lead to all fat-related diseases. Make sure that there are sufficient toys in the cage for it to play with. Also, it is important that you provide it with some time outside the cage, as a cage will not allow him the required space for the same. Try some manual exercises as well. Keeping it Safe The area where you place his cage is crucial. Never keep a cage near the AC or in the kitchen where there are fumes and smells. Make sure that no sprays or cleaning products are sprayed near the parakeet. Be cautious when the bird is let out of the cage. Make sure all the doors and windows are closed so that it does not fly off. Also, keep a watch on all the fans and see that they are switched off. A parakeet will fly into a whirling fan if it is startled for any reason. Parakeets are also called budgies and are very easy to care for. If the right care is administered, you will see how much fun having a parakeet can be. So kiss the apprehension goodbye and go get yourself a chirping, over-active parakeet today!