Budgies – Cheerful, Chatty, and Colorful Companions for Every Home in the UAE

Budgies, or budgerigars, are one of the most popular and accessible pet birds worldwide. Known for their playful personalities, bright plumage, and surprising ability to mimic sounds, they are a favorite in many homes across the UAE. Whether you’re a first-time bird owner or looking to expand your aviary, budgies offer a delightful combination of low maintenance, intelligence, and charm.

At Sahara Exotics in Ajman, we offer hand-selected, healthy budgies raised in a clean and social environment. Our birds are ready for adoption across Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, and the rest of the Emirates.

Appearance and Varieties

Budgies are small, sleek parrots measuring around 18 cm in length and weighing 30 to 40 grams. Despite their small size, they have a bold and active presence. They are available in a variety of color mutations, including green, blue, yellow, white, and pied combinations. The traditional green-and-yellow variety is the most common, but the blue and albino variations are also popular among pet owners in the UAE.

They have long tails, a wavy pattern on their wings, and a distinctive cere (fleshy area above the beak) that changes color depending on gender—typically blue in males and tan to white in females.

Personality and Behavior

Budgies are energetic, curious, and friendly birds. They thrive on social interaction, whether with humans or fellow budgies. They are known for their gentle nature, making them a great choice for families with children or for individuals seeking a low-maintenance companion bird.

Key behavioral traits include:

• High levels of activity and curiosity

• The ability to mimic sounds and simple words with practice

• Social bonding with cage mates or owners

• Chirpy and playful without being excessively loud

Although they are not as talkative as larger parrots, budgies can develop an impressive vocabulary and enjoy responding to consistent interaction.

Housing in the UAE Climate

Budgies require a cage that allows them space to stretch their wings and play. For a single bird, a cage size of at least 18 x 18 x 24 inches is recommended, with wider dimensions if housing a pair or more. Bar spacing should be no more than 1 cm to prevent escape or injury.

Cage setup tips:

• Place the cage in a well-lit indoor location, away from direct sun or strong air conditioning

• Include several perches of varying sizes and materials to support foot health

• Add lightweight toys and swings to encourage activity

• Keep the temperature between 22°C and 28°C for optimal comfort

Although budgies are adaptable to indoor life in the UAE, maintaining a stable, draft-free environment is important for their health.

Diet and Feeding

Budgies thrive on a varied diet that includes seeds, pellets, and fresh produce. A seed-only diet can lead to nutritional deficiencies, so it’s important to provide balance.

A daily feeding plan should include:

• A small bird seed mix formulated for parakeets

• Fresh fruits such as apples, melon, pear, or berries (small amounts)

• Vegetables like spinach, carrots, zucchini, and bell peppers

• Occasional cooked whole grains like quinoa or brown rice

• Clean drinking water refreshed daily

Avoid feeding budgies avocado, chocolate, caffeine, or salty snacks, as these can be toxic to birds.

Lifespan and Care

Budgies typically live 6 to 10 years, though with excellent care they can live even longer. They do best with regular attention, gentle handling, and mental stimulation. Even a single budgie can be happy if socialized daily, though keeping a pair is often recommended to prevent loneliness.

Daily care includes:

• Refreshing food and water

• Cleaning perches and toys

• Providing 30–60 minutes of out-of-cage flying or supervised playtime

• Talking and bonding through gentle voice and interaction

At Sahara Exotics, all our budgies are raised in social settings and are accustomed to human presence, making them easy to tame and integrate into your home life.