Best Food for Budgies and Parakeets
Budgies, also called parakeets, are small birds with big personalities. Most are fed plain seed, but seed-only diets are linked to weight problems and nutritional gaps in budgies, so a more complete mix helps them live longer, healthier lives.
What budgies need
- More than seed. Fortified pellets, vegetables and fruit add the vitamins and minerals seed lacks.
- Fresh greens. Leafy greens and finely chopped vegetables are great daily additions.
- Small, easy pieces. Food sized for a budgie's small beak.
Our pick: Ultimate Blend III (Seed)
Blend III is made for parakeets and other small birds. It combines the seeds budgies enjoy, like white proso millet, canary grass seed and flax, with small fortified pellets, freeze-dried peas, dehydrated carrot chips, mango, papaya, pineapple and apple, oats, pumpkin seeds and ground limestone for calcium.
Shop: By the pound · 5 lb bag · 10 lb bag · 20 lb bag
Switching to a new food
Because Blend III still contains familiar seeds, most budgies accept it readily. Mix it with your bird's current food and increase it gradually over two to four weeks.
Keep about two weeks' supply at room temperature in a sealed container and refrigerate the rest. Don't freeze it. For one or two budgies, buying by the pound keeps food at its freshest.
More species guides
See food guides for every bird we carry
Every bird is different. If your bird has a health condition or you're making a big change to its diet, check with an avian veterinarian.