What Temperature Is Too Cold for Budgies? (How to Keep Your Budgie Warm)
Last Updated on March 16, 2024 by Ali Shahid
Experts say a temperature below 60 degrees Fahrenheit is too cold for budgies. The ideal temperature for budgies is between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit, anything above or below will make your budgies sick and in extreme cases even kill them. If the temperature drops below the recommended range, your budgie will crouch. Shiver, puff its feathers, may lose appetite, and will eventually die.
Remember budgies are small parrots and their bodies are not designed to tolerate cold climates. So make sure to provide an ideal temperature range for your budgies irrespective of the outside temperature.
In this article, I will discuss what temperature is too cold for budgies, budgies’ temperature tolerance, and keeping budgies warm in winter. If you are a budgie lover from a cold climate, make sure to read this article thoroughly before you proceed.
Budgie Temperature Tolerance Range
Budgies prefer temperatures between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. However, they can tolerate temperatures beyond these limits to some extent. Budgies can tolerate temperatures up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit, but that does not mean you should keep them there.
They can die if exposed for a long time to this temperature. Similarly, budgies can tolerate temperature drops up to 60 degrees Fahrenheit, but that does not mean you keep your budgie at this temperature. They can get hypothermia and in the longer run can die.
Can Budgies Die from Cold?
Yes, budgies can die from cold if exposed to low temperatures for a long period. Budgies are very small birds and cannot keep themselves warm for long periods. When the temperature falls below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, they start showing signs like lethargy, inactive and ultimately get hypothermia.
If not provided with warmth they will ultimately die. This is especially true for budgies that used to live in hot climates. Naturally, budgies are residents of the hot climate in Australia, so their bodies are not suited to live in cold temperatures. Hence, even a short drop in temperature can prove fatal.
How do Budgies Keep themselves Warm?
Puff Up
The first sign is puff-up feathers. Birds keep themselves warm. The feathers act as an insulator. First, they fluff up to trap air inside the air pockets. Then they use this trapped air as an insulator to keep themselves protected from the cold air.
Shivering
Shivering is a common phenomenon in living beings to keep themselves warm. This is the same process budgies use to keep themselves warm in the winter.
Nesting Together
In the wild, budgies usually nest together. They share and conserve heat for a longer period combined with puffing and shivering. If you have more than 1 budgie, you will see them roosting together in winter, especially at night.
Crouching
Budgies lose a lot of heat through their bare legs and feet. As a result, they crouch to cover the exposed area, conserving heat.
Tucking their heads
You can also see your budgie tucking its head inside its feathers to preserve heat.
Budgie Cold Signs
- Lethargic
- Nasal Discharge
- Blocked Nostrils
- Eye Discharge
- Shivering
- Coughing
- Puff Up
- Inactive
- Sleeping a lot
- Lack of Appetite
- Panting
- Tail Bobbing with Each Breath
Can budgies live outside in winter?
A big no. As I mentioned earlier Budgie’s bodies are not designed to live outside in winter. They are very sensitive to temperature drops. These small birds do not have enough energy to keep themselves warm outside in winter.
Even if your budgie survives a few hours outside in winter, that does not mean they can stay outside. Upon taking your budgie inside, you will notice that it is lethargic, puffy, has nasal and eye discharge, and shivering.
These are clear indications that winters are too harsh for budgies. So, it is not a good idea to keep your budgies outside in winter.
Do budgies get cold at night?
Yes, budgies are more prone to get cold at night. Because there is no sunlight at night, the temperature drops further than it does during the day. Normally, the temperature at night goes below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature is too much cold for a budgie to handle.
It will become severely ill in an hour. In this situation, your budgie needs warmth immediately. If you do not act immediately, there is a high chance that your budgie will die of hypothermia. So, it is very important to have a lamp or a heater near your budgie cage to keep it warm on winter nights.
How to Keep Your Budgie Warm?
Increase the Room Temperature
You can use a thermostat to increase the temperature of your room. In this way, you can keep your budgie warm and healthy.
Cage Cover
A cage cover is very useful in keeping air currents and drafts away from your budgie. In this way, your budgie cage will remain warm and your feathered friend can sleep peacefully.
High-fat diet
In winter, you should feed your budgies a high-fat diet. The fat will help your budgie to stay warm and active.
Nesting Boxes
In the wild, budgies usually nest in winter. Therefore, you can provide your budgie with a nesting box. The box will block air and drafts and will keep your budgie warm.
Budgies Heat Lamp
Heat lamps are excellent for keeping budgies warm from cold air currents and drafts. Be sure to maintain a constant temperature and avoid abrupt changes.
