Petco Budgies: Are These Colorful Birds Available at Your Local Store?

Budgies (also called parakeets or budgerigars) are one of the most popular pet birds in the world, and they happen to be one of the most affordable too. If you are thinking about getting a budgie, Petco is one of the most convenient places to find one.

Yes, Petco sells budgies at most of their locations. They are usually the most affordable birds in the store and one of the easiest to find in stock. Here is what you need to know about buying a budgie from Petco and bringing one home.

Does Petco Sell Budgies?

Petco sells budgies at the vast majority of their locations that carry live birds. They are one of the staple bird species the store always tries to keep in stock because of how popular they are. You will typically find them in a large communal enclosure in the bird section.

Standard budgies at Petco usually cost between $20 and $30. The price can vary slightly by location and whether there are any promotions running. Compared to most other pet birds, budgies are extremely affordable, which is part of what makes them such a popular first bird.

Petco typically carries standard American budgies in a variety of color mutations. You will usually find greens, blues, yellows, whites, and various combinations. The specific colors available will vary based on what the store has received from their breeders.

What About English Budgies?

English budgies (also called show budgies or exhibition budgies) are a larger, fluffier variety of budgie that many bird enthusiasts prefer. They are about twice the size of standard American budgies, have bigger heads, and tend to be calmer and more laid back.

Petco does occasionally carry English budgies, but they are much less common than standard budgies. If you specifically want an English budgie, calling your local store first is a smart move. When available, English budgies at Petco typically cost between $50 and $90, significantly more than standard budgies due to their larger size and more specialized breeding.

How to Choose a Healthy Budgie at Petco

When picking out a budgie at Petco, take your time and observe the birds carefully before making your choice. Here is what to look for.

Activity level. A healthy budgie should be active, alert, and engaged with its surroundings. Look for birds that are hopping around, preening, eating, or chattering. Avoid birds that are sitting fluffed up and quiet on the bottom of the enclosure, as this can be a sign of illness.

Feather condition. Healthy feathers should be smooth, clean, and well groomed. Bald patches, ragged feathers, or excessive fluffing can indicate health problems or stress.

Eyes and nostrils. The eyes should be bright and clear with no discharge. The nostrils (cere) should be clean and free of any crusty buildup or discharge.

Droppings. Take a quick look at the droppings on the cage bottom. Normal budgie droppings are small and firm with a white portion. Watery or discolored droppings can indicate illness.

Age. If you want a young budgie that will be easier to tame and train, look for birds with barred markings on their forehead (baby bars) and dark eyes. Adult budgies lose these bars and develop a lighter iris.

Budgie Care Essentials

Before bringing your budgie home from Petco, make sure you have everything set up and ready. Here is what you will need.

Cage. Get the largest cage you can afford and fit in your space. At minimum, a single budgie needs a cage that is 18 x 18 x 18 inches, but bigger is always better. Budgies are active flyers and need room to move around. Horizontal space (width) is more important than height for budgies.

Diet. A high quality pellet should make up the base of your budgie’s diet, supplemented with fresh vegetables, leafy greens, and occasional fruit. Seed mixes are popular but should not be the primary food since they are high in fat. Fresh water should be available at all times.

Toys and enrichment. Budgies are intelligent, curious birds that need mental stimulation. Provide a variety of toys including bells, mirrors, ladders, swings, and shreddable toys. Rotate toys regularly to keep things interesting.

Social interaction. Budgies are flock birds and need daily interaction. If you can only have one budgie, plan to spend at least an hour or two each day talking to and interacting with your bird. If you cannot provide this much attention, consider getting a pair so they can keep each other company.

Lifespan. With proper care, budgies can live 10 to 15 years or more. This is a longer commitment than many people realize when buying a $25 bird, so be prepared for the long haul.