Nesting Behavior of Budgies

Nesting Sites

• The choice of a nest will be determined by its suitability for breeding. Budgerigars like to nest in the hollows of trees to provide protection from predators. The most common trees where suitable hollows can be found are in eucalyptus trees. These have hollows in their trunks and branches that are ideal. The suitability of eucalyptus trees is so strong that Rob and Jean Marshall suggest that the breeding grounds of budgerigars can be predicted by the presence of eucalyptus trees.

Food and Nests

• Budgerigars predominantly eat grass seeds. They will also eat the leaves of eucalyptus trees and other green foliage. Once they have found a suitable tree hollow, they will peck at the sides until it is a suitable shape. The vagaries of the climate in Australia mean that budgerigars must seek suitable local conditions as well as a suitable nest. The main condition is the availability of suitable grasses and therefore grass seeds.

Breeding Conditions

• Although budgerigars have thrived and existed on the continent of Australia for five million years, their breeding habits can, according to the Marshalls, be an uncommon event. However, once it is enabled, it is "rapid in onset." Particular conditions are required. Apart from the availability of food, there must be sufficient rainfall, so breeding usually happens when there are rainy seasons.

In the Nests

• Once the conditions are right and the breeding pair mated, there will be an incubation time of approximately 21 days. When the eggs are ready, the female will lay one in a two-day period. This will continue until there are up to eight eggs. During the period of incubation, the female will keep the eggs warm while the male brings food. Both parents will give food to the babies. They will leave the nest after about five weeks.

In Captivity

• It is recommended by All Creatures Veterinary Care Center that budgerigars should be bred in spring. They can be kept in single cages or in an aviary. The latter is recommended, as budgerigars are sociable flocking birds in the wild. It is normal to nest the birds in open boxes within the cage or aviary. The interior of the box should be laid out with wood or plastic and with a hollow for the eggs. Maximum sunlight should be provided.