Why this basket
- The page covers budgies, first on the RSPCA's list of common pet birds, and built from its advice on housing, diet, enrichment and company.
- SPCA New Zealand's budgie guide fills two gaps, minerals and bathing, that current UK charity pages do not cover.
- Cage size depends on your bird's wingspan, not a fixed number, so measure before you buy.
- No vitamin drops or supplements: the RSPCA says good pellets contain the vitamins and nutrients a parrot needs.
Before they come home
A wide flight cage sized to the wingspan
The RSPCA's rule is that the cage's height, width and depth should each be at least twice your bird's wingspan if they spend most of their time inside, or one and a half times if they are mostly out. This flight cage is 77.5cm long, 46.5cm wide and 46cm high, with bars 1cm apart, the listing says. Measure before you buy.
What buyers say
Buyers like
- Wide rectangular shape gives small birds room to spread their wings(6 of 8 reviews)
- Simple to clean, with a tray that slides straight out(3 of 8 reviews)
Watch out for
- Bars and hooks do not always line up, so it can feel flimsy(2 of 8 reviews)
Our summary of the 8 reviews Amazon showed on 27 Sept 2026, counted by us.
More about this pick
- Size
- about 78 x 47 x 46 cm
- Weight
- 5.3 kg
- Material
- Alloy Steel
- In the box
- Bowl, Removable Tray
- Warranty
- 3 year manufacturer
From the Amazon listing, recorded 27 Sept 2026. Sizes are the listing's own.
Natural wood perches of different widths
PERSENTU natural wood perches (8)
4.3 on Amazon · 107 ratings · 200+ bought last month · #1 in Birdcage Perches · recorded 27 Sept 2026
The RSPCA asks for natural wooden perches of different thicknesses, enough for every bird at once. This set adds four straight perches, two forks and two small platforms to the cage's dowels, each about 16cm, the listing says. It calls the texture rough, so rub down any sharp points: the RSPCA wants perches smooth to the touch. Never fix one above food or water.
What buyers say
Buyers like
- The mix of shapes and sizes gives birds several spots to hop between(3 of 8 reviews)
- Budgies and finches take to them, though some need a few days(4 of 8 reviews)
- Stable and secure once screwed to the cage bars(2 of 8 reviews)
Watch out for
- Smaller than the photos suggest, so suited to small birds only(3 of 8 reviews)
Our summary of the 8 reviews Amazon showed on 27 Sept 2026, counted by us.
More about this pick
- Size
- about 20 x 8.5 x 2 cm
- Material
- Wood
- Pack
- pack of 8
- Made for
- birds
- In the box
- /
- Care
- Hand Wash Only
- Warranty
- /
From the Amazon listing, recorded 27 Sept 2026. Sizes are the listing's own.
Pellet food as the main diet
Harrison's Adult Lifetime pellets, 454g
4.4 on Amazon · 97 ratings · 50+ bought last month · #189 in Bird Food · recorded 27 Sept 2026
Small parrots such as budgies should have free access to pellets, fresh vegetables and fruit, the RSPCA says, and SPCA New Zealand puts pellets first too. This Harrison's food is sold for canaries, finches and budgies, the listing says. If your bird has been eating seed, switch over gradually, as the RSPCA advises.
What buyers say
Buyers like
- Many birds take to it, even a cockatiel that only ate seed(4 of 8 reviews)
Watch out for
- Some budgies refuse the pellets, especially ones used to seed(2 of 8 reviews)
Our summary of the 8 reviews Amazon showed on 27 Sept 2026, counted by us.
More about this pick
- Weight
- 454 g
- Made for
- small birds
From the Amazon listing, recorded 27 Sept 2026. Sizes are the listing's own.
A little budgie seed each day
4.6 on Amazon · 1,265 ratings · 1K+ bought last month · #6 in Bird Food · recorded 27 Sept 2026
Budgies do need some seed each day, the RSPCA says, but no more than a tenth of their diet, because seed-heavy diets can lead to obesity and liver problems. This budgie mix is canary seed, white and red millet and egg biscuit, the listing says. The RSPCA also suggests hiding some food in foraging toys.
What buyers say
Buyers like
- Budgies eat it readily and keep coming back to it(6 of 8 reviews)
- Clean seed with little dust or chaff in the bag(2 of 8 reviews)
Our summary of the 8 reviews Amazon showed on 27 Sept 2026, counted by us.
More about this pick
Price: we have checked it on 23 days; Amazon showed a discount of 10% or more on 0 of them.
A cuttlefish bone for minerals
3.9 on Amazon · 217 ratings · 1K+ bought last month · #2 in Bird Treats · recorded 27 Sept 2026
SPCA New Zealand says budgies benefit from a source of minerals, such as a cuttlefish bone or a mineral block made for budgies, especially when moulting or breeding. This is one natural cuttlefish bone, sold as 9 to 15cm long; buyers say it is often at the small end of that. It needs a clip to fix it to the bars, which is not included.
What buyers say
Watch out for
- Much smaller and thinner than expected, some under 12 cm(3 of 8 reviews)
Our summary of the 8 reviews Amazon showed on 27 Sept 2026, counted by us.
More about this pick
UVA and UVB lighting
Arcadia Pure Sun Midi bird lighting kit
3.9 on Amazon · 28 ratings · #1 in Lighting for Birdcages · recorded 27 Sept 2026
The RSPCA says birds kept indoors need artificial UVA and UVB light, on for as long as they would have daylight in the wild. This Arcadia kit gives 2.4% UVB and 12% UVA, the listing says. Buyers find its cage bracket flimsy and a poor fit on some cages, and the listing allows wall or ceiling fixing instead. Keep part of the cage in shade.
What buyers say
Buyers like
- Once fitted, the light itself works well and birds sit under it(5 of 12 reviews)
Watch out for
- The mounting bracket is flimsy and awkward, and can snap or tilt(5 of 12 reviews)
- Does not suit every cage, so several had to adapt the fixing(4 of 12 reviews)
Our summary of the 12 reviews Amazon showed on 27 Sept 2026, counted by us.
More about this pick
- Material
- Acrylic
- In the box
- Montage-Set, Acryl-Stützarm, Lamp, Removable Reflector
From the Amazon listing, recorded 27 Sept 2026. Sizes are the listing's own.
First weeks
Foraging and shredding toys
widenlise bird shredding toys (2)
4.7 on Amazon · 45 ratings · 50+ bought last month · #3 in Toys for Birds · recorded 27 Sept 2026
The RSPCA suggests toys, especially foraging toys with food in them, changed from time to time, but not so many that the bird cannot stretch and flap. Let your bird get used to a new toy outside the cage first. These two hanging toys are corn cob, paper and wood for shredding, the listing says.
What buyers say
Buyers like
- Budgies and parrots take to them and enjoy shredding(6 of 7 reviews)
Our summary of the 7 reviews Amazon showed on 27 Sept 2026, counted by us.
More about this pick
- Size
- about 1.2 x 1.2 x 0.5 cm
- Material
- Natural Corn Cob and Paper Slices Bells
- Made for
- birds
- In the box
- Not included
From the Amazon listing, recorded 27 Sept 2026. Sizes are the listing's own.
A bath
4.2 on Amazon · 233 ratings · 50+ bought last month · #1 in Bird Baths for Birdcages · recorded 27 Sept 2026
SPCA New Zealand suggests giving budgies a dish of water to bathe in. This hanging bath measures 12.5 x 11.5 x 13.5 cm and names budgerigars among the small birds it suits, the listing says. The base lifts off for cleaning.
What buyers say
Buyers like
- Budgies hop in and use it happily(4 of 8 reviews)
- Clips together and onto the cage without much fuss(2 of 8 reviews)
Watch out for
- The fit can be loose, so some had to file or tie it(2 of 8 reviews)
Our summary of the 8 reviews Amazon showed on 27 Sept 2026, counted by us.
More about this pick
- Weight
- 150 g
From the Amazon listing, recorded 27 Sept 2026. Sizes are the listing's own.
Later
A table-top stand for time out of the cage
4.5 on Amazon · 321 ratings · 50+ bought last month · #1 in Birdcage Stands · recorded 27 Sept 2026
Birds need at least six hours out of the cage a day, the RSPCA says, and plenty of table-top stands in the room so they can perch, rest and preen. This play stand has a feeder cup, swing, ladder and tray, the listing says.
What buyers say
Buyers like
- Budgies and other small birds make it a favourite spot(8 of 13 reviews)
- The removable tray makes cleaning easy and suits scatter feeding(5 of 13 reviews)
- Screws together into a stable, sturdy stand(5 of 13 reviews)
Watch out for
- Best for budgies and smaller birds, as a cockatiel is a tight fit(4 of 13 reviews)
- Assembly can be fiddly, with a split perch or misaligned holes(3 of 13 reviews)
Our summary of the 13 reviews Amazon showed on 27 Sept 2026, counted by us.
More about this pick
- Size
- about 30 x 20 x 6 cm
- Weight
- 1.1 kg
- Material
- Wood
- Made for
- medium birds
- In the box
- feeder, swing, climbing ladder, movable tray, cockatiel playground
From the Amazon listing, recorded 27 Sept 2026. Sizes are the listing's own.
Can wait
- Swings, ladders and nets for the cage. The RSPCA says ladders, ropes and nets suit large cages and flight areas, and that a cage should stay uncluttered so the bird can flap freely.
Skip it
- SkipSand-covered perches and perch coversThe RSPCA says perches should be natural wood and smooth to the touch.
- SkipA small starter cage for a bird that lives in it all dayThe RSPCA says a bird that spends most of its time caged needs at least twice its wingspan in height, width and depth.
- SkipA shop-bought cage coverThe RSPCA suggests covering the top of the cage with a cloth, which any clean cloth does.
- SkipVitamin drops and supplementsThe RSPCA says good pellets contain the vitamins and nutrients a parrot needs; anything more is a question for an avian vet.
Quick questions
Should I get one budgie or two?
Usually two. The RSPCA says most birds do better with the company of other birds, and budgies are a colony species that can share a cage; SPCA New Zealand recommends a companion or two. The RSPCA notes that hand-reared birds may prefer people, so ask how your budgie was raised.
How big should a budgie cage be?
At least twice your bird's wingspan in height, width and depth if they spend most of the day inside it, the RSPCA says, or one and a half times if they are mostly out. For two budgies, go by the larger bird. A wingspan is often more than twice the body length, so measure.
How long should a budgie be out of its cage?
At least six hours a day, the RSPCA says, with room to fly freely and safely. Close windows and doors first, cover or screen large mirrors and windows, and keep your bird out of the kitchen.
Do budgies need a cuttlefish bone?
They benefit from a mineral source, SPCA New Zealand says, such as a cuttlefish bone or a mineral block made for budgies, especially when moulting or breeding. The RSPCA's current bird pages do not cover minerals, so ask an avian vet if you are unsure.
What should budgies eat?
Mostly pellets, with washed vegetables and some fruit, plus a little seed each day. The RSPCA says seed should be no more than a tenth of a small parrot's diet. SPCA New Zealand says never to feed budgies avocado, rhubarb, lettuce or fruit seeds.
Sources: RSPCA: housing and environments for pet birds (checked 26 September 2026); RSPCA: the right food for your bird (checked 26 September 2026); RSPCA: enrichment for pet birds (checked 26 September 2026); RSPCA: living with other birds (checked 26 September 2026); SPCA New Zealand: caring for budgies (checked 26 September 2026).
