1. Don’t rely on a seed-only diet
• A seed-only diet is high in fat and very nutritionally incomplete.
• Instead, feed a balanced diet: of fresh seed (FRESH SEED LINK) protein crumble, fresh vegetables every day and a little fruit occasionally.
• Avoid feeding toxic foods: things like avocado, chocolate, and caffeine are harmful.
2. Don’t place the cage in dangerous spots
• Avoid drafts, direct heat (heaters or radiators), or areas with kitchen fumes — budgies have very sensitive respiratory systems.
• Don’t put perches right over food / water dishes — droppings can contaminate them.
• Use a solid wall or background for part of the cage so your budgie has somewhere to feel “safe” / hide if stressed.
3. Don’t use unsafe perches or toys
• Avoid sandpaper perches or very smooth dowel perches where diameters are all the same, if you are using dowels, make sure the diameters of dowels on the main perches, swings and ladders are different and also provide natural climbing mats (CLIMBING MAT LINK)
• Don’t use rope or string toys that might cause gastrointestinal obstructions.
• Be careful with toys that have small parts that could be swallowed.
4. Don’t ignore environmental toxins
• Avoid fumes from non-stick cookware (PTFE), strong cleaning chemicals, scented candles, and smoke — these are really dangerous for birds.
• If you clean their cage, use bird-safe cleaning methods (mild soap and rinse well) or use a proprietary cleaner (CLEANER LINK) and make sure the cage is well ventilated afterwards.
• Use a cage tidy to retain most of the mess in the cage (CAGE TIDY LINK).
• Use a specialised seed feeder to prevent excess mess (MAGIC SEED FEEDER LINK)
• Use a specialised bath for maximum budgie fun (MAGIC BATH LINK)
5. Don’t punish or force handling
• Forcing your budgie by grabbing hard, towel-wrapping or using gloves, damages trust.
• Instead, build trust slowly by handling every day - use very gentle positive reinforcement (a calm presence and soft talking or whistling).
6. Don’t skip out-of-cage time
• Keeping a budgie locked in its cage all day is bad for its physical and mental health.
• Supervise them when they’re out - they can fly into windows, chew on dangerous objects, or escape.
7. Don’t neglect sleep/rest
• Budgies need about 10–12 hours of quiet, dark sleep every night.
• Avoid random lights or noisy disruptions at night.
8. Don’t ignore signs of illness
• Budgies are very good at hiding signs of illness.
• Watch for subtle changes: fluffed feathers, reduced appetite, droppings, or lethargy and sleepiness.
• Get regular vet check-ups with an avian vet or use the free health check services of Just Budgies (FREE HEALTH CHECK LINK)
9. Don’t skip on mental enrichment
• Budgies are super smart — without toys, variety, and things to chew or forage, they get bored, stressed, or may pluck feathers.
• Rotate toys, offer different perches, and have foraging-style food and treat setups.
10. Don’t “over-clean” or bathe improperly
• While cleaning is essential, if you soak a budgie for too long (never use soap), it can make them very cold or even cause hypothermia.
• For bathing, use a shallow bowl of clean water or a light misting, not soaking.
• Change the paper in the bottom cleaning tray under the floor wire every few days (PAPER LINK).
11. Don’t use mirrors or nest-like objects carelessly
• Mirrors can lead to behavioral issues (some budgies act like they have a mate in the mirror).
• Avoid fabric hides or “nests” that are made of man-made fabric – Use a natural sea grass cave, which they love. (NATURAL CAVE LINK)
12. Don’t neglect training or building trust
• Trying to rush taming by grabbing the bird too hard can backfire badly. Download the free booklet here as a guide (BOOKLET DOWNLOAD LINK)
• Be patient. Build trust through regular small, gentle steps (calm voice or whistling).

Why These “Don’ts” Matter

• Health: Wrong diet or exposure to toxins can kill or seriously harm a budgie.
• Mental well-being: Budgies are clever, social, and sensitive. Mistakes in the environment or your interaction can lead to stress, fear, or behavioral problems.
• Bonding: Fast-moving hands, too many people, passing birds back and forth between people will destroy trust. Building a positive relationship takes time and gentle care regularly (every day if possible).

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