Budgies, also known as parakeets, are popular pet birds that are known for their ability to mimic speech and make squeaky noises. These small, energetic birds can make a variety of vocalizations that may sound strange to us, but actually have specific purposes and meanings.
Budgie Vocalizations
Budgies have a range of different vocalizations that they use to communicate different messages. Here are some of the common vocalizations budgies make and what they mean:
- Chattering – Budgies often make quick, chattering noises. This indicates excitement and stimulation.
- Squawking – Loud, sudden squawks are a sign of alarm or fright.
- Chirping – Soft chirps are used as contact calls, especially between mates and parents/chicks.
- Screeching – Harsh, shrill screeches indicate aggression or distress.
- Squeaking – High-pitched squeaky noises are often contact calls between young budgies.
- Mimicking – Budgies can mimic human speech, other pets, and sounds they hear frequently.
- Singing – Male budgies especially will sing to attract mates.
Why Do Budgies Squeak?
Of all the budgie vocalizations, the squeaks are especially distinctive. So why exactly do budgies make these odd squeaky noises?
There are a few main reasons why budgies squeak:
- Chick squawks – Baby budgies communicate with high-pitched squeaks. This helps them stay in contact with their parents.
- Excitement – Much like chattering, squeaks can indicate excitement or stimulation.
- Alarms – Squeaks may be used as an alarm call, though not as dramatic as a full squawk.
- Contact calls – Budgies often squeak back and forth to stay in contact, especially when they can’t see each other.
- Begging – Hungry babies squeak frequently to beg for food from their parents.
So in summary, squeaking is used by budgies as a contact call, an expression of excitement, an alarm, and begging chicks requesting food.
Why Do Only Some Budgies Squeak?
While all budgies are capable of making squeaky noises, some budgies squeak much more frequently than others. There are some factors that cause certain budgies to be more squeaky:
- Age – Younger budgies under one year old tend to squeak the most. Squeaking decreases as they mature.
- Personality – Shyer, more submissive budgies squeak more than dominant, bold ones.
- Environment – Budgies in busy, noisy environments may squeak more to stay in contact.
- Bonding – A strongly bonded pair or flock may squeak back and forth communicatively.
- Loneliness – Single budgies without a flock may squeak often for lack of contact.
So while an older, dominant budgie may hardly squeak at all, a young, lonely one looking for its flockmate may squeak almost constantly.
Squeaking Problems
Excessive squeaking can indicate a problem for your budgie:
- Illness – Budgies under the weather may vocalize more with unusual sounds.
- Stress – Squeaking non-stop signals anxiety or distress.
- Loneliness – A lonely budgie will squeak and chatter looking for company.
- Boredom – Budgies kept alone with no toys can start squeak compulsively.
- Attention-seeking – Some budgies learn to squeak for human attention.
If your budgie is squeaking constantly for long periods, it likely needs help with one of these issues. Consult an avian vet if illness could be causing the vocalizations.
How to Reduce Excessive Squeaking
While some squeaking is totally normal, excessive squeaking can be annoying. Here are tips to reduce a budgie’s constant squeaking:
- Get a companion – An isolated budgie needs a flockmate. Introduce another budgie carefully.
- Let it fly – Give the budgie daily supervised out-of-cage flights.
- Add enrichment – Provide new toys, perches, treats, and interaction to stave off boredom.
- Train it – Clicker training satisfies a budgie’s need for activity and bonding.
- Keep it busy – Make sure the budgie has enough to do during its awake hours.
- Don’t encourage – Don’t give your budgie extra attention for undesirable squeaking.
- Find the cause – Figure out what’s causing your budgie distress and address it.
With the right care and environment, most budgies will settle down into a healthy amount of normal vocalizations.
Is Squeaking Good or Bad?
For the most part, squeaking is neither good nor bad – it’s simply one way budgies communicate. However, excessive squeaking can indicate an issue needing your attention. Here’s an overview of how to view budgie squeaking:
Good Squeaking
- Normal squeaks of excitement/stimulation
- Contact calls between mates/flockmates
- Young budgies squeaking at a normal level
- Squeaks during supervised out-of-cage playtime
Bad Squeaking
- Constant, repetitive squeaking nonstop
- Squeaking due to stress, illness, injury, or loneliness
- Attention-seeking squeaks
- Squeaking that persists for long periods
- Any squeaking that signals distress in your budgie
Pay attention to when and why your budgie is squeaking. Healthy, happy contact calls are fine – distressed constant squeaking needs your help.
How to Keep Squeaking Normal
Here are some tips to keep your budgie’s squeaking within a healthy range:
- Meet its social needs – House it with other budgies or give it ample owner interaction.
- Reduce stressors – Keep noise, changes, and perceived threats in the environment low.
- Prevent boredom – Rotate new toys and foraging activities to pique its interest.
- Train it – Clicker training provides activity and bonding time.
- Offer a healthy diet – Nutrition affects all aspects of health including vocalizations.
- Give exercise – Allow flying exercise time out of the cage each day.
- Go to vet visits – Have an avian vet monitor for illness causing vocal changes.
With proper care, the squeaking should stay at typical levels to facilitate normal communication between your budgies.
Fun Facts About Budgie Squeaking
- Budgies use over a dozen distinct vocalizations to communicate different messages.
- Their closest wild relative, the wild budgerigar, also squeaks in the same contexts.
- Baby budgies begin squeaking from their very first days out of the egg.
- Certain budgie mutations and color types tend to be noisier overall.
- Budgies have been documented squeaking at frequencies up to 8,000 Hz – well above our hearing range!
- Pet budgies in captivity are generally more vocal than wild budgerigars.
- Budgies can combine vocalizations together, like a chirp-squeak or squeak-squawk.
- Researchers are still discovering subtle nuances in the meaning of budgie vocalizations.
- Some female budgies become less vocal after laying eggs, while males vocalize more.
- Flocks in flight together communicate with constant squeaking to stay together.
The Bottom Line
While squeaking may sound odd to us, it’s perfectly normal budgie communication. Budgies squeak for many reasons – excitement, alarm, contact calls, begging for food, or simply trying to find a lost flockmate. It’s usually nothing to worry about!
But excessive, constant squeaking does require your attention. It often signals an ill, lonely, stressed, or bored budgie. With proper teflon, added enrichment, veterinary care, and flocking, you can bring the squeaking back to normal levels.
Understand your budgie’s squeaks, and you’ll better understand what your feathered friend is trying to communicate!
