Budgies are one of the most popular pet birds in America and for good reason: they can be very affectionate and are a good overall pet. If you just got one and are wondering how they drink water, then this blog post is for you!

Budgies, like other parrots and parakeets, drink water using their upper beak and tongue when drinking from a horizontal surface such as a normal water container used for pet birds, but they will drink using mostly their lower beak and tongue to direct the water into their mouth when drinking from a vertical stream such as a running tap.

Budgies drink water, like other birds, using the beak and tongue similar to how humans use a glass when drinking. This is because of their anatomy.

The budgie has a split upper jaw with an opening at the front which lets the tongue protrude down inside the lower part of the beak between forked muscle tissues. When the bird’s tongue is retracted, water will flow down the channel in the beak and into the throat. When drinking normally, the bird’s neck is usually stretched while raising its head toward a spout.

Most birds in the wild, including parakeets such as budgerigars, get a substantial amount of their water intake from food. Foods high in water would mostly be fruits or fresh plant materials, which most pet budgies do not get on a regular basis.  

Therefore, while wild budgies drink water sparingly throughout the day due to their fruit intake, pet budgies eat mostly dried seeds for food and they, therefore, need to drink substantially more than in the wild.

If you ever wonder why you never see a wild budgie drinking water this is the reason. You’re actually more likely to see a wild budgie bathe in the water than drink it.

Do Baby Budgies Drink Water?

Baby budgies should not drink water because they get what they need hydration-wise from the food that they are fed by their parents. But after only a few weeks, they will start to seek towards the water container themselves. If they don’t, try to show them where it is or bring it closer to them!

They should begin to start drinking water after a few weeks. One way to tell if they’re ready is by putting a small bottle cap of water in the cage and seeing if they start to drink. Too much water at such a young age can make them sick though.

How do you get a budgie to drink water?

Make sure the water is clean. In most cases, it’s not too hard to get a budgie to drink but if they do give you a hard time adding some honey to the water can get them to want to drink.

Also changing up the spot where you put the water may make them curious and want to drink.

Do budgies drink cold water?

Cooler water for budgies is good. Budgies like cold water especially in hot climates because their body temperature can get pretty high. They may even try and bathe in the water if it’s hot enough to try and cool themselves down.

Can budgies drink tap water?

Tap water can vary from place to place. In some places, it may be good for your budgie or budgies but in other places, it may not. Tap water in certain regions, especially big cities, may contain too much chlorine or fluoride, which is toxic to smaller birds!

We recommend not taking a chance and either getting a filter for the tap water or just using bottled water.

How Often Does A Healthy Budgie Drink?

A pet budgie will typically drink 3 to 10 times a day, but it really depends on the conditions. Temperature, air humidity, type of feed (water content), and water accessibility all play a role.

A healthy budgie may only drink a few sips here and there throughout the day, but keep in mind these sips are important because they can’t last too long without having any water.

How much water should a budgie drink a day?

Smaller birds with a medium activity level drink around 10% of their body weight in water per day.

However, the exact amount of water your budgie drinks will vary depending on his age, size, species, climate, and activity level.

But as stated above, 3-10 times is probably the norm. Among all birds, it does however vary a lot, with some birds drinking less than 10% and others drinking more than 75% of their body weight.

How often should I change my budgie’s water?

You should change your bird’s water every day to ensure that it is clean and fresh. You may also need to increase or decrease the amount you provide depending on whether your bird eats dry or wet food, and how much other fresh food and treats he consumes throughout the day.

Does my budgie need a certain kind of food in order to get enough water?

No. Most pet birds should have a constant water supply even though their food is high in water. Birds can extract most of the moisture they need from food sources like fruits, but you should always make sure to provide them with a source of clean, fresh drinking water at all times.

How Can You Tell If Your Budgie Is Dehydrated?

Dehydration is usually easy to identify as the bird will look dry and wrinkled. The skin may also be loose and flabby, and the eyes will appear sunken into the sockets. The bird may also lose weight very quickly, and because budgies are so light in weight, you may not even notice this.

1. Lack Of Energy

If your budgie doesn’t move as much as its normal self then it might not be getting enough water. Sitting at the bottom of the cage often is also a sign of dehydration. Your budgie may also start to sleep more than usual and it might take them a while to wake up.

2. Dry or Wrinkled Skin

They may also be dehydrated if their skin feels dry or wrinkled. This may be hard to assess due to their feathers, so looking at their feet and eyes

3. Their Eyes

You can tell if your budgie is dehydrated by looking at their eyes. They may seem sunken in or they may have wrinkles around them, and the reflection will be weaker and duller.

Why does my budgie not drink water?

If your budgie does not drink water, this is a serious problem and should be checked by a veterinarian. Drinking water for birds is essential for their survival, just like it is for humans. It is the only way that the birds can stay hydrated in order to survive.

1. They Are Not Comfortable Yet

When budgies are in a new environment they may not be comfortable enough to go to the water bottle. This is because they feel vulnerable putting their head down and up like that. They may also be frightened to go towards the bottle.

2. They Are Lonely

A lot of people say it’s good to get budgies in twos. If they feel lonely they may not eat or drink water. If you see your budgie not eating or drinking water try getting another budgie so they can have each other for backup.

3. Budgie has to compete for the water

On the contrary of what was said above, when there is more than one budgie one may be too scared to try and drink because a dominant one may not like it and try to chase them off.

4. May Be in a Spot Your Budgie Doesn’t Like

The water may be in a spot that your budgie doesn’t feel comfortable drinking in. A good thing to do is to try and put it in one of their favorite spots. If you usually keep the water low, try putting it higher in the cage. They may like that better.

5. Try and Clean the Bowl As Naturally As Possible

Budgies may get deterred from drinking if they smell any type of fragrance when going to drink. Even if you clean the bowl with dishwasher detergent this may turn them off.

Try cleaning the bowl with just regular water and wipe it down with a towel.

6. The Water Is Dirty

You need clean water! It’s always best to change out their water once a day or every other day depending on how much you think they drink in a day if any at all.

Make sure you rinse out the bird cup and give them fresh water daily because bacteria can build up after days even weeks of having dirty water in there which could make them sick.

7. They dont have a proper water container

Having a proper water container (like this one from Amazon) is essential if you want your budgie to feel comfortable drinking enough. A too small, loosely fastened or otherwise bad quality water source will discourage your bird from drinking.

What happens if my budgie does not drink enough water?

If your budgie is dehydrated, it can lead to health issues and even death. Most birds do not drink enough water because they are so easily able to get moisture from their food sources. This is why it is important that your budgie has constant access to freshwater.

Go To a Veterinarian If You Can’t Figure it Out!

If none of the above reasons fit your budgie and you can’t tell if your budgie is dehydrated then I recommend going to a veterinarian. They can definitely help you out if you feel your budgie is in danger.

Another reason why birds will not drink their water is if they have contaminated it with their own poop.

How to prevent birds from pooping in their water?

Having birds poop in their own drinking water is unsanitary and can cause health problems. It is not normal for most birds to poop where they eat and drink, so there might be something wrong.

The first step is to determine what is causing your birds to poop in their water. There are many possible causes, including diet, parasites, infection, or simply because the water is so dirty that your bird does no longer views it as drinking water. Once you have determined the cause, you can take steps to address it.

If your bird’s diet is the problem, you may need to make some changes. Make sure that your bird is eating a variety of healthy foods, including fresh fruits and vegetables. You may also want to give them a supplement like Nutri-Berries or pellets.

If your bird has parasites, you will need to treat them with medication. Your veterinarian can help you determine if your bird has parasites and prescribe the appropriate medication.

If your bird has an infection, you will need to treat it with antibiotics. Again, your veterinarian can help you determine if your bird has an infection and prescribe the appropriate antibiotic.

Once you have addressed the underlying cause of the problem, you can take steps to prevent your birds from pooping in their water. One way to do this is to change the location of their water dish. You may also want to try a different type of water dish, like a birdbath or fountain.

Another way to prevent birds from pooping in their water is to clean it regularly. Make sure to scrub the sides and bottom of the dish with hot, soapy water. Rinse well and allow to dry completely before putting it back in the cage.

It is important to keep your birds healthy and free from diseases. By following these tips, you can help to get your birds to stop pooping in their water. For more information, consult with your veterinarian.

If you are interested in how and when birds poop, plus other interesting facts about bird poop, see my latest article on the many fascinating facts about bird poop here!