An overview of sources of danger for budgies and other birds. This can of course not complete and will be supplemented as new information becomes available.
Toxic for budgies
There are many things that are toxic to budgies and therefore often underestimated or unexpected sources of danger.
Non-stick coatings (Teflon)
Above a certain temperature (approx. 220°C), a Teflon coating releases the gas “fluorphosgene”, which is extremely toxic for birds. After inhaling this gas, the birds usually die within a maximum of two weeks. 30min.
- Raclette with non-stick coating
- Fondue with non-stick coating
- Waffle iron, sandwich maker, etc.
- Pans and pots with non-stick coating
- Iron with Teflon soleplate
- Oven (esp. self-cleaning)
➔ Teflon poisoning in pet birds
Drinks and human food
Many things that are edible for humans can cause poisoning in budgies.
- Coffee and tea (e.g. unattended cups)
- Alcohol (e.g. unattended glasses)
- Common salt (e.g. food and human dishes)
Smoking
Since budgies have a much more sensitive respiratory system than humans and many other pets, tobacco smoke poses a danger to them that should not be underestimated.
The smoke is not only embalmed by these, but also settles in the feathers, so that more toxins are repeatedly ingested during preening, which could eventually result in nicotine poisoningSymptoms1:Twitching, agitation, vomiting, increased heart rate & respiration and cardiac arrest could result.
Similar to humans, there is also damage to the respiratory organs, in the case of budgies the lungs and air sacs.
- Tobacco smoke
- Tobacco (e.g. cigarettes lying around)
- Ashtray
Sprays & fragrances (natural/artificial)
In households with pets, it is generally better to avoid scented oils and other fragrances. The use of fragrances in enclosed spaces can cause allergies, skin reactions or even respiratory problems in birds.
- Room sprays
- Deodorant sprays (hexachlorophene)
- Scented candles
- Fragrance or aroma lamps
- Aroma diffuser
In the free flight room
The free-flight room, in particular, offers a lot of sources of danger that you normally don’t give a second thought to.
Glue based flypaper
Budgies and other birds also stick to these flycatchers with their feathers and are then usually unable to free themselves from them.
- Yellow cards, stickers or boards
- Flycatcher to hang on the ceiling
- etc.
Example: Yellow cards
The goat parakeet to which these feathers belong had gained access to the houseplants and then got stuck with its feathers on the yellow card. Independently could not free himself from it, but fortunately with the help of the owner escaped only with a scare.
Glass panes
Glass panes, v.a. well groomed, as a rule, are not perceived by budgies as an obstacle. In the event of a collision, these can then In the worst case, they may suffer serious injuries or even a broken neck .
Candles or open fire
Open fires and pets is never a good idea. Not only is there a risk that the birds’ feathers can catch fire, but it can easily turn into a room fire.
- Scented candles
- Tea lights
- Candles
- Ethanol table fireplace or decorative fire
- Other open fire
Open vessels with/without liquids
All containers that have a sufficiently large opening at the top (= budgie head) are a source of danger for curious budgies that should not be underestimated.
Example: Cups (unattended)
If they fall or get stuck in these vessels, they usually cannot free themselves. If these are additionally filled with water or another liquid, this can also quickly end fatally .
- Vases and watering cans
- Jugs with open or without lid
- (unattended) cups and drinking glasses
- Decoration glasses
- Pen holder
Example: Open coffee pot
The owner of this budgie had only forgotten to close the lid before putting the pot into the coffee maker and only then became aware of the predicament of her bird due to strange noises. The curious hen had actually squeezed into the gap between the coffee maker and the pot and so fell in there.
One does not want to imagine what would have happened if there had still been coffee in the pot.
Wastebaskets and trash cans without lids
For waste paper baskets and bins, it is advisable to use models with lids (not swing lids!), as the budgies often cannot escape from them on their own once they have landed inside.
Indoor and cut flowers
In the case of indoor and cut flowers, you should generally first assume that they are toxic or harmful to birds.
As long as they are not Bird food plants you should consequently always make sure that they are really harmless for birds as well.
Bird accessories & other items
Cardboard tubes and the like.
Curious budgies can easily get stuck in them when examining them and then can’t get out of them on their own. In this situation, unfortunately, birds have already suffered a heart attack from panic.
- Paper towels
- Cloth rolls
- Poster rolls
- comparable objects
Bird toys
There are many toys for budgies and other birds (including commercial) that can be potentially dangerous to them.
- Toys where they can get their toes or head caught (e.g., long strings, cords, or fringes/loops or rings).
- Toys where they can swallow chewed-off pieces(e.g. pieces made of plastic).
- Toys on which they can poison themselves(e.g. painted or with artificial colors).
- Toys with loofah, because the loofah fibers are indigestible and can accumulate in the stomach and intestines.
- Toys where they can swallow small parts or get stuck on them (e.g. with their beak) (e.g. bells open at the bottom).
➔ Dangerous toys and accessories
Additional information:
Further information:
- Gefahren beim Freiflug (WelliPedia)
- Teflonvergiftung bei Ziervögeln (wir-sind-tierarzt.de)
- Welche Duftöle sind für Haustiere nicht geeignet? (My-Raumduft.de)
- Rauchen – wenn Wellensittiche & Ziervögel passivrauchen (Wellensittich-Infoportal.de)