About feeding a budgie (budgerigar)
Budgies are tiny, seed-loving parakeets — and the classic victim of all-seed diets, which cause obesity, fatty tumours and fatty liver. Converting a budgie to pellets plus veg is one of the biggest favours an owner can do.
How much should a budgie (budgerigar) eat?
Calorie needs use the veterinary formula 129 × weight(kg)0.75 (the Resting Energy Requirement), multiplied by a lifestyle factor of ×1 for a typical bird at the life stage shown. Enter your own animal's details in the calculator for an exact figure.
| Body weight | Daily calories |
|---|---|
| 28 g | 9 kcal |
| 30 g | 9 kcal |
| 33 g | 10 kcal |
| 35 g | 10 kcal |
| 38 g | 11 kcal |
| 40 g | 12 kcal |
| 43 g | 12 kcal |
| 45 g | 13 kcal |
What to feed
A budgie should eat mostly formulated pellets with fresh vegetables and only a little seed as a treat. Millet spray is a popular but fattening treat best rationed.
How often to feed
Offer measured pellets and fresh veg daily; a budgie eats roughly 5-8 g of food a day.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I feed a budgie?
A budgie eats only about 1.5-2 teaspoons (5-8 g) of food a day. Make most of it pellets and vegetables, with seed as a small treat, and weigh your bird weekly on a gram scale.
How much should I feed my bird?
It depends on species: a budgie (30 g) eats roughly 5-8 g of food a day, a cockatiel (90 g) around 8-12 g, and larger parrots proportionally more. Offer measured pellets plus fresh veg and weigh your bird weekly.
Are seeds bad for pet birds?
Seeds aren't toxic, but as a staple they're too fatty and lack vitamins A and calcium. Use them as a small treat and make formulated pellets and vegetables the base of the diet.