We know that many pets such as dogs and cats are scared of thunder, are you wondering if budgies are also scared of thunder.
Do you need to do anything special for your budgie when there is a storm of lightning and thunder outside?
Below I will cover everything you need to know.
Are Budgies Scared of Thunder?
Yes, budgies are scared of thunder and can become very stressed if the thunder goes on for a long time.
It is important to help your budgie get through the thunder by doing certain things which I will cover below.
Are All Budgies Scared Of Thunder?
Not all budgies are scared of thunder, some budgies will completely ignore the sounds the thunder makes and not react to it at all.
This is quite rare as most budgies will react to thunder in a negative way.
If you are unsure if your budgie is scared of thunder you should monitor them the first time there is a thunderstorm to determine if they are scared or not.
If this worries you about possible shock or death, check out this related article.
If they are scared you should do a few things for them to calm them down which I will cover below.
Why Are Budgies Scared Of Thunder?
Most budgies become scared when they hear loud sounds such as thunder, it’s a natural reaction to become scared.
Thunder will also be accompanied by lightning strikes which will also scare the budgie because they do not know what is causing the flashing.
Also with large storms you might have heavy rainfall which could be quite noisy and also scare your budgie.
If you wonder why your budgie isn’t flying anymore, fear is one reason, but here are others in this article I wrote.
Can Budgies Sense Thunderstorms?
Yes, budgies can sense thunderstorms. Budgies are able to hear low frequency sounds that a thunderstorm produces and they will sometimes hide to try to escape the thunder storm.
This has been proven in experiments conducted by nationalgeographic.com where they observed budgies could detect barometric pressure changes just before a thunderstorm hits.
The experiment found that budgies would change their normal behavior and become more nervous as the barometric pressure increases.
Their eyes may not see anything happening, but they sure sense it. What if your budgie has eye problems? Look out for these signs.
What Do Budgies Do During Thunderstorms?
If a budgie has detected that a thunderstorm is on its way certain fitting say or do before and during the thunderstorm which I will cover below.
Domestic / Pet Budgies
If your pet budgie has detected that thunderstorm is on its way the first thing it might do is to try and eat and drink, it is believed that they do this as a survival Instinct because they do not know how long the thunderstorm will last for.
You might also notice your pet budgie acting crazy such as flapping their wings, pacing up and down their cage, jumping around the cage, bobbing their head up and down.
They do this because they are nervous knowing what might be coming.
Typically when the thunderstorm has arrived they will try to hide or stay safe place until it is over.
Wild Budgies
If a budgie in the wild knows a thunderstorm is coming they will seek a good hiding place dense area such as in trees and bushes.
They will typically highs and not come out until the thunderstorm has passed.
It is in these dense areas that other small insects will also be hiding which will also provide an easy to catch meal for the budgie.
How To Look After A Budgie In A Thunderstorm
During a thunderstorm your budgie will be frightened so it’s important that you do a few things to try to calm them down.
1. Put Towel Over Cage
The first thing you can do is put a towel over their cage as this will make them feel more secure and it will also help to reduce them seeing the light from the lightning hitting their cage.
2. Play Music / Radio
Another good idea is to play soft music or put on the radio as this will drown out the noises of the thunder. Something like in the video below
3. Move Cage Away From Window
If the budgies cages near the window temporarily move it to somewhere away from the window.
How to Tell if a Budgie Is Scared
The first sign of a scared budgie is biting. Many bird owners mistake biting as hostility, although it’s usually a symptom of stress and anxiety. Let’s look at some other warning cues:
- Screaming
- Decreased vocalization
- Feathers flapping wildly
- Self-mutilation
- Not eating
- Fearful pooping
- Panting
- Flattened feathers
Help them feel comfortable with your touch near the cage. Provide millet through the bars.
Fearful budgies also pant with their beaks open. It looks like they’re speaking, but nothing comes out.
A clipped budgie who pants when their out may be overwhelmed and want to go back to their cage.
A frightened poop is watery and has no other reason, such as taking a bath, eating a lot of vegetables, or being sick. Finally, if alarmed, their feathers may flatten.
Why Is My Budgie Is Scared of Everything?
Because they are predatory animals, budgies have an innate tendency to be cautious. A budgie can be terrified of everything in your home, including:
- abrupt movements
- sights
- sounds
- smells
You must earn their trust and develop their confidence. Budgies tend to get less shy as time goes on because they become used to their environment and become less startled easily.
Put your hand on the outside of the cage and talk to your budgie in a calm voice while you have it in your palm. They will be able to see your hand as being non-threatening in this manner.
Your reassuring speech will assist in lowering their level of worry. Allow the budgie about one week to develop accustomed to having your hand outside of the cage before attempting to handle it.
Can a Budgie Be Kept Outside in a Thunderstorm?
No. During the thunderstorm, make sure that your budgie stays safely contained in the cage, especially if it enjoys taking flight.
Your bird might be startled and get an injury if there is a quick, loud thunderclap followed by a power flash when it is flying in a room that is completely dark.
Once you get your pet in a secure area, you may work on reducing the amount of stress it is experiencing. You are free to let your budgies spend time outside of as long as they are provided with:
- adequate water
- protection from the heat and cold
- adequate shade
They will cuddle together to keep warm during thunderstorms in the wild and they will look for a place that is protected from the wind.
Thank you for visiting PocketPetCentral.com for the best information to help you enjoy the life of your pocket pet companion in a fun, safe & healthy way.
