The behavioral changes of budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulates) in different size of cages

Abstract

Budgerigars usually reared as a pet bird in the world. They are reared in conventional cages where they cannot have the opportunity for showing normal behaviours, particular flight, and develop stereotyped behaviours. Nowadays Large cages are used for groups of budgerigars but the minimum space requirement to support the normal behaviour is unknown. The study was performed to compare the behaviour of budgerigars which are reared in three different size of cages, with 0, 24% and 48% increases in space above the minimum size. Groups of four birds were accommodated in each cage and behaviour was observed over 21 day periods in a changeover design. Flight distance increased with space allowance and more flights were initiated at the start of each period in the largest cages which is evidence of thwarted motivation for flying in the smaller cages. After budgerigars had spent a period in the small cages, they had increased flight times if they were in the larger cage in the subsequent period. Budgerigars with low space allowance flapped their wings and tail wagged more and scratched less at the start of each period. It is concluded that there are benefits to the behaviour of budgerigars by providing increased space in cages above that specified in standards.