Do you want to keep only one budgie? Will your single budgie become depressed and lonely? In this article, we’ll discuss if we can keep a single budgie happy and engaged.
Can A Single Budgie Be Happy? Budgies group together in flocks. They are social and need you to substitute their natural counterparts by becoming their one and only friend. You will need to give more attention, enrichment, playtime or make sure your single budgie bonds to you and doesn’t feel lonely.
Can I Keep Just One Budgie?
You can definitely keep a single budgie for a pet or companion. Keep in mind that without budgie friends to interact with, you will have to take the lead or provide much more company.
Your budgie wants to see you and we hope you have the extra time to play or relax together. Study up by watching more budgie training videos and make your house a safe environment where you can let your budgie out of the cage more often.
How Do I Keep My Budgie Entertained?
Here are 6 ways to keep your budgie engaged or entertained:
- Use A Mirror
- Record yourself
- TV
- Big cage
- Enrichment
- Be there more
1. Mirror
A budgie could look at his or her reflection with excitement or comfort. They may interact with a hand mirror in the cage like a friend. They may not know that it’s just their reflection. Some don’t advise this technique while others say it’s worth a try, even if it’s temporary.
2. Record Yourself
In a digital era where it’s so easy to press record, you can make videos to play back when you are away. Set a screen in front of your budgie with your face talking to your budgie.
Make sure to keep the video on a loop and your budgie will enjoy seeing and hearing from you while you’re away. You will get much better at making these videos and the process could be rewarding for both of you.
3. TV
Turn on the TV at the very least and point it towards your budgie. The sounds from the screen at a comfortable volume will keep your budgie entertained.
Cartoons or nature videos with other birds could be fun to try out. You can be the judge based on your budgie’s reaction.
4. Bigger Is Better
Get a bigger home for your budgie without needing to buy another property. Assemble a larger cage or enclosure for your budgie to have more room to fly around and exercise while you’re away.
5. Enrichment
Keep your budgie’s mind working well by making sure there are enriching activities available. Perches, toys, ropes, swings and many more suggestions are available to you with a search or a visit to the bird shop. Sights and sounds outside the cage through audio or video recordings provide enrichment as well.
6. Be There
Interact with your single budgie more often. Talk more. Ask and answer. Make sounds. Have fun with your budgie. You provide the ultimate vocal, physical and treat praises. Your budgie will bond with you and stay happy as a solitary bird in your home.
Is It Better To Have 1 or 2 Budgies?
If there is a choice of keeping a single budgie or adding another companion, the answer is usually 2 is better than 1. Budgies belong to their flock in the wild. The captivity presents the challenge of keeping these social birds occupied and happy.
A second budgie could exchange looks, sounds, love and attention. A male and female budgie could bond and mate with each other if they are compatible.
How Do I Know If my Budgie Is Lonely?
Your budgie may show you signs of loneliness in the following ways:
- Plucking feathers.
- Loss of appetite.
- Change of colour or consistency in droppings.
- Irritability
- Lack of enthusiasm
- Change in sounds
Any or all of these symptoms are reversible. Don’t give up and accept that your budgie is just going to stay sad. A lonely budgie may harm itself. Digestion issues or a lack of appetite will encourage illnesses to develop.
An irritable budgie may not even want to interact with you anymore. They will show feelings of just wanting to be alone and sulk in a distant part of the cage. Energy levels may drop. You may even hear a pitch or tone in their voice that doesn’t sound the same as usual.
What Makes A Budgie Upset?
A budgie may get upset, angry or depressed when any of the following occurs:
- death or companion
- loneliness
- losing a toy
- lack of engagement
Death Of Companion
A death in a bonded pair of budgies will make the survivor noticeably upset. They will show it and you will feel it. Hopefully they don’t give up eating. You will need to step and fill in for the time being with more attention and availability.
Loneliness
A lonely budgie can show sadness through hiding or sulking. A lethargic or uncommunicative budgie is upset or uncomfortable. Try to change the surroundings and provide more enriching activities for your bird.
Losing A Toy
A toy is a possession. We tend to get upset if our possessions go missing or break. The same can happen to a budgie that has lost or broken a toy. If you removed or replaced the toy and still have it, you may wish to rotate it back in to notice if it cheers your budgie up again.
Lack of Engagement
An engaged budgie is communicating, making eye contact, bobbing and enjoying you or another companion in the cage or home. Toys, perches and swings also increase engagement through activity.
How Can You Tell If A Budgie Is Happy?
Look for the changes in sounds, behaviours and body language to show you that your budgie is happy.
Sounds
- Chirping
- Clicking
- Chattering
- Singing
- Whistling
Behaviours
- Playful
- Flying Around
- Eating Well
- Grooming feathers
- Interacting socially
Body Language
- Bobbing of the head
- Head Tilting
- Slightly opening the wings
- Moving up and down
- Shaking Its Tongue
Conclusion
You can keep a single budgie happy by being present and allowing your budgie to bond with you as their sole companion. This budgie is social and needs you now and forever without a budgie mate or a flock in the wild. The choice is your to keep a single budgie, but it comes with more commitment, time and effort.
Thanks for stopping by a BudgieRealm.com and we hope to see you again soon for another article that interests you about our favourite birds.
