Budgerigars are highly social birds from Australian flocks, whose welfare in captivity depends critically on social companionship, flight space, and mental stimulation.
Budgerigar welfare is most commonly compromised by solitary housing and inadequate space. These are social flock birds whose natural state involves constant contact with other budgerigars. Solitary birds often show chronic stress through repetitive head movements, excessive vocalisation, or feather-plucking. Small round cages prevent the flight and movement central to budgerigar natural behaviour. A pair of budgerigars in a large, well-enriched aviary lives a fundamentally better life than a single bird in a typical pet shop cage. The welfare improvements available are large and low-cost.