Yes, Budgies Need To Be In Pairs (Here’s Why)

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Are you a new bird owner thinking of having a budgie? If so, you want to be sure whether it will be a single one. What if it feels lonely and desires a companion? Do budgies need to be in pairs?

Budgies are better kept in pairs if you can provide sufficient care and maintenance. However, a single budgie will also do fine if it gets lots of human interaction, love, and time.

Here is more on their preference for staying mingled.

Summary Points

• Budgies need interaction and companionship. They are happier and healthier when kept in pairs.
  
• A single budgie needs a lot of attention from its owner, including playtime and interaction. This helps avoid loneliness and behavioral problems.
  
• It’s usually best to pair a male with a female, though this can lead to breeding. Make sure they have enough space and get along well to keep their relationship positive.
  
• To prevent breeding, you can change their environment and diet to stop mating behaviors.
  
• Budgies can live with other bird species like cockatiels and canaries if their food and space needs are met to prevent conflicts.

Why Do Budgies Need To Be In Pairs?

Budgies love staying active and socializing with each other. It gives them the connection, mental stimulation, and companionship that are essential for their health.

Even in captivity, they will yearn for that connection and want to interact with others. If they do not get that chance, they will suffer from loneliness and depression, often demonstrating behavioral issues.

What Are The Pros And Cons Of Having Two Budgies?

Having two budgies has both its advantages and disadvantages. For example,

Pros

Raising two budgies saves you from spending hours with the pets. A companion in the cage already means that the birds will not feel lonely.

With time, the budgerigar couple develops a social bond that helps them stay relaxed and happy. Besides, the pair enjoys sound health as they have a mate to play with.

Cons

Having two budgerigars means managing a bigger space. Maintaining the hygiene of the large cage will take more work and time. The budgie pair might get involved in frequent fights over silly things and create a fuss.

Can Budgies Live Without A Pair?

Though budgies are social birds, they can be kept as individuals without a pair. In the wild, budgies live in a flock, and while in captivity, the birds crave the same companionship.

If you have a solo budgie at home, you must give it your undivided attention.

For starters, spend hours playing with the birdie. Second, respond to your budgie’s chirping and singing in your own language. Finally, enrich the bird’s cage with toys to keep it engaged and entertained.

Anyway, raising a solo budgie is not ideal, as the bird might suffer from boredom and anxiety. The Animal Human Society suggests that housing budgerigars in pairs or small groups are better than keeping a single budgie in captivity.

What If I Cannot Keep A Pair Of Budgies?

If you keep a budgie alone, it might feel bored, lonely, and stressed. It could even act territorial. Overall, a single budgie’s life wouldn’t be as happy as it would be when you put them together.

If you cannot keep a pair of budgies and want to have only one, you must give it plenty of time. The bird will need a spacious cage with abundant elements to occupy itself. Plus, you will ensure it gets enough playtime with you.

It is manageable for owners who work from home and can give their birds all the time they need. If that is your situation, you can have a single budgie without any problem. Otherwise, only toys and mirrors will not be enough to keep the bird happy.

In fact, social interaction is an integral part of their behavior. It is one of the basic things about budgies. So, do your best to cater to that need.

Can I Keep Two Male Budgies Together?

There is no problem keeping two male budgies together in a cage. They will soon get along, become friends, and develop a bromance. You will notice their bonds in their constant chirping, playful fights, playing, and preening.

If you keep two male budgies together, keep these things in mind. First, the cage should have enough space to make the birds comfortable. If not, it will provoke their territorial behavior and cause fights.

Second, if you have a female budgerigar, do not keep it nearby. It will create conflict between the males when they become desperate to win her attention. Don’t make it a love triangle!

Will 2 Male Budgies Fight?

Two male budgies brought in as babies will get along well without any doubt. However, if you try introducing a new young male budgerigar to an existing one, there might be a fight.

Anyway, arguing and bickering are a part of the budgie’s social life. Hence, the chances are that the males will eventually get over their differences and live happily.

Do not forget that budgies are territorial birds. If you put the pair in a congested cage with little food, they will be at each other’s throats. Again, male budgerigars have strong personalities, and sometimes, one of them emerges as a bully. This can lead to nasty cage fights.

Can Two Female Budgies Live Together?

You may have heard that keeping two female budgies together is hard. But that is not as bad as it sounds.

I once kept two females together without facing any issues. It only gets hard when you do not ensure enough space for both.

It is true that they are not as tolerant as male budgies and also show more aggression. They tend to be more protective of their space.

Once you give them no reason to feel stressed about that, they will stay with each other peacefully.

What If I Put A Male Budgie With A Female One?

It is the best option to put a male budgie with a female one. However, there is a good chance they will mate and have chicks soon. Even before so, the most important thing is that they get along with each other.

Each couple of budgies differs from one another. Some create a bond quickly, while others need time. Again, giving them enough personal space in the cage is crucial.

The next concern is breeding. If you want to have baby budgies, give your budgie couple a proper diet, a breeding box, and regular vet checkups.

Will Male And Female Budgies Fight?

Yes, male and female budgies can fight with each other. I see that, they often fight over territory, food, and toys. However, the fights will be over if you offer the pets a large space with sufficient food.

Sometimes, adding toys and other enrichments also resolves fights among the couple.

In mating season, the female budgies act a little more aggressively. They bite or nibble the males to draw their attention. The same behavior can be expected from the male budgerigars. They often turn into a bully to attract females.

Apart from those little inconveniences, male-female budgies make an excellent pair. Most keepers prefer the mixed gender pair rather than the same gender pair.

Can You Keep A Male And Female Budgie Together Without Breeding?

If you do not want your budgies to breed, make them used to a lifestyle that does not promote breeding behavior. For example,

• Do not keep anything your budgies can use to hide. Plus, remove any nesting boxes. Both impact their mating tendencies.
• Lowering the amount of high-energy and fat foods will reduce their desire to mate.
• Separate the male from the female during the breeding season. Put them together after it passes.
• Reduce the hours of sunlight they receive during spring. It encourages their breeding behavior.

But these steps do not guarantee that they will not mate and breed. If they do, talk to a vet about their care and find a good home for the chicks.

Is It Okay To Have Just One Budgie?

Raising just one budgie is absolutely fine as long as you can spend quality time with it. Many owners choose to have a single budgie because it is easier to maintain. Besides, you don’t see any personality clashes and unnecessary fights in the cage.

But here’s a thing; Companion Animal Hospital says solo budgeriger might develop psychological and physical health issues. That’s why many veterinarians suggest keeping budgies in pairs is the best way to keep them content.

However, if you decide to raise a solo budgie at home then beware of the challenges beforehand. Because the birdie will always demand your attention. It is compulsory to install toys to help keep the budgie engaged. Moreover, spending hours with the pet is also crucial.

Is It Better To Have 3 Or 4 Budgies?

I strongly recommend having 4 budgies is way better instead of 3. Because budgies perform well when they are in pairs, not in odd numbers.

When you put 3 budgies inside the cage, there is a high chance that one bird will be left alone. It is not unusual for the pair to corner the single bird and bully it. This can make the birdie suffer from mental trauma.

When you keep one female with two males, the situation worsens. The males often fight themselves to win over the female budgie. However, you can avoid all these issues by simply putting four budgies instead of three.

How Many Budgies Is Too Many?

Unfortunately, there is no universal answer to this question! If you are a newbie, a budgie pair is enough for you. Once you reach the intermediate level, you are ready to bring one or two new pairs home. As for me, I have been raising budgies for years, and I have more than 6 budgies right now.

Before you welcome too many budgies, consider the space you can offer them. These birds can not live in congested cages. Besides, think about the effort and time you have to invest in raising these pets.

If you are afraid of the responsibilities, it’s better to stick with two budgerigars. However, according to popular opinion, having four budgies is most reasonable.

Why Is The Cage Size So Important?

As much as budgies like socializing and staying engaged in activities, they need space to rest. It will trigger their territorial aggression and cause fights if they cannot do that.

So, how do you determine the cage size? Considering you let your budgies spend time outside the cage, the recommended size for one is 12x18x18, and for two, it is 30x18x18. However, remember the following things.

• The cage should be a lot larger if they are always in captivity.
• A cage housing two females should be larger than a cage housing two males. (I already explained that above.)

Can I Put 4 Budgies In One Cage?

You can put 4 budgies in one cage without any problem. However, in this scenario, you must aim for a large cage. I suggest buying a 32x18x20 inches (82x46x51 cm) cage to house four budgerigars. The bigger the space, the better it will be for the pets.

Besides, you need to add more toys to the cage. For example, provide at least one perch for one bird. Otherwise, the budgies will fight each other over space.

You should set up more toys to keep the birds engaged in activities. Finally, install multiple feeding stations just so the pets do not fight over food.

How Do I Tell If My Budgie Is Lonely?

Loneliness is a severe issue, especially when you have a lone budgie. If you leave your budgie alone in the corner, it is obvious that the bird will get lonely over time. The signs of loneliness and depression are,

• The bird keeps chirping continuously. At one point, it starts irritating your ears.
• All of a sudden, the budgie becomes quiet and makes no effort to communicate at all.
• You will notice psychological disorders in the budgerigar. For example, pacing back and forth, plucking the feathers, and performing repetitive activities.
• Obesity and infectious diseases are common in a lonely budgie.
• The budgerigar will show no interest in its surroundings and daily activities.

You can put other birds such as cockatiels, parrotlets, lorikeets, and canaries with your budgies. They will give each other great companionship.

In addition, there will be more things to deal with when allowing other birds to mix with your budgies. For example, the dietary requirements will be different and must be adequately met.

Furthermore, each should have enough space to avoid conflicts. Their personality differences will affect their compatibility. During breeding seasons, their moods will change and can make them hostile. So, you will need to observe their behavior closely and regularly.