Budgies typically drink water once a day. It's crucial to replace their water daily, ideally at feeding time, and supplement their diet with fresh vegetables and fruits.
A budgie should have access to fresh water every day. Provide a water bottle or dish and change the water daily to ensure they have a clean source of hydration. Budgies will naturally drink when they are thirsty. In the wild, budgies usually look for water sources first at dawn before foraging for food. Pet budgies, with their food readily available, may drink less if they eat a lot of vegetables and fruits. However, access to fresh water should always be readily available.
Important Water Guidelines for Budgies
1. Avoid Tap Water
It is essential to provide your budgie with pure water, such as purified or cooled boiled water. Tap water can contain bacteria and other harmful substances, which, over time, may lead to parasitic infections in budgies. Mineral water is also not recommended, as budgies have poor mineral absorption. Long-term consumption of mineral water can be detrimental. Boiled and cooled water or purified water are the safest options for your budgie's long-term hydration.
2. Opt for Sealed Water Bottles
It is best to use a sealed, automatic water bottle rather than an open dish. Open dishes are difficult to keep clean. Budgies also enjoy bathing and could potentially use the water dish to wet their feathers or even soak the entire birdcage. Sealed, automatic water bottles are more suitable for budgies, maintaining cleanliness and ensuring fresh water.