Eucalypt trees - also referred to as "gum trees" - have a special place in the life of the budgerigar.The wild budgerigars in Australia have evolved alongside the Eucalypt tree and over all these thousands of years, they have developped an intimate bond with the tree and its leaves. Wet eucalypt leaves excite and invigorate both the wild and aviary budgerigar into a frenzy of joy. Does this sound familiar? Yes, budgerigars also start to sing when it's raining outside! It's an ancient instinct that tells them that the tide has turned in their favour.
How does Eucalypt help budgies?
Budgies love to bathe in wet Eucalypt
leaves. It's healthy and refreshing for the little birds. Females in breeding mood chew the bark in search for trace elements and lysine, the breeding protein. Wild budgies also prefer the branches and trunks of Eucalypt trees to build their nests in. On top of that, the Eucalyptus oil from the leaves has some good medicinal properties that stimulate the immune system and promote a strong natural resistance to disease. The Eucalypt branches are also a personal favourite of the budgies for stripping and gnawing. And they love doing that!This is why you should give the branches and the leaves to your budgie sometimes, it's their natural food and it's full of good things.
Important sidenote about your budgerigar's diet: Budgerigars are vegetarian and should not be supplied with meat, milk or other animal proteins. The birds' digestive systems are not able to properly digest such food, and these proteins tend to go off quickly.
Millet combined with fresh Eucalypt leaves: your budgie's dream dinner. Image ©budgierisa.webs.com
Images above (c) Wikipedia & The Telegraph
Information is copyright © 2000 Rob Marshall.
