Did your budgie escape? Perhaps you forgot to close the windows or doors in the house before letting the bird out of the cage. And now, you are worried about whether or not your parakeet will survive alone.
Well, the answer to the question, my budgie escaped, will it survive alone, is yes. However, your parakeet will not hold on for very long because of threats like local predatory birds, starvation, and climatic conditions. So, your budgie will probably survive alone for a few hours, days, or weeks.
So then, how do you find your budgie? Read our comprehensive guide to find out.
My Budgie Escaped, Will It Survive Alone?
Yes. However, even the biggest budgie may not survive for too long, alone out in the wild. This is because the conditions in the wild and captivity are totally different. So, your parakeet’s chances of survival would be little depending on factors like:
Food availability
In captivity, these amazing birds don’t have to look for suitable food because it is provided to them by the bird owners. So, your budgie will die of starvation when it escapes.
Local predators
Your budgie could be safe at home, but it is highly likely to encounter efficient predators like hawks in the wild. Even worse, your feathered friend may be unable to defend itself from predatory birds.
Climate
If your parakeet escapes in summer, it could survive longer. This is because of the warmth temperatures similar to those in captivity. However, your companion bird will not pull through when the temperatures get extremely cold.
Ability to fly
Because your budgie is used to flying within small spaces, this may limit its ability to fly in the wild. Therefore, your beloved bird could die from fatigue.
Place of birth
If your domestic bird was previously a wild-caught budgie, its chances of survival alone might be higher, but not for very long. However, if your budgie was bred in captivity, it may not survive for more than a week.
How Long Can Budgies Survive After Escaping?
They could survive for hours, days, weeks, or even months. For example, if the temperatures get below 60 degrees, your budgie may only hold on for a few hours. This is because your domesticated bird will be exposed to hypothermia.
In addition, if your budgie does not get food and water as soon as possible, it could die of starvation within 2 days. This also happens if your stray bird encounters predators like large wild birds, foxes, cats, and hawks.
Also read: Why Does My Budgie Keep Opening Its Mouth?
How Far Can A Budgie Fly?
Shortly after escaping, your bird should not fly too far. Therefore, you will likely find it around a one-mile radius, probably in a nearby tree.
However, your stray budgie may feel hungry or thirsty as time goes by. Because of this, it will fly further away from your house to find food. Your bird could go as far as 50 kilometers in 3 or 4 days, depending on its ability to fly.
Will An Escaped Budgie Come Back?
No, most budgies, also known as budgerigars, will not find their way home independently. And the further away the bird flies, the harder it will be for it to return. So, you can only rely on luck to get your beloved budgie back.
However, if your parakeet has escaped due to fear or anxiety, the chances of it returning will be nearly zero. This is because a frightened budgie will fly as far as possible to get away from your home.
How Can I Find My Budgie That Flew Away?
One thing you could do is leave your bird’s cage outdoors with the door open. You could also place your budgie’s favorite food inside the outdoor cage. If you are lucky to spot your feathered friend escaping, try following the bird on foot. You might catch him shortly in a 1-mile radius.
Another thing you could do to find your feathered friend seeks help from your friends, bird rescue organizations, and neighbors. You could also make posters of your lost bird and distribute them everywhere. In addition, you can place an ad in a local newspaper or call for help in your:
- Local zoos and bird clubs
- Veterinary clinics nearby
- Animal shelters or animal help agencies
FAQs
Let’s look at frequently asked questions about a budgie surviving alone after escaping.
The chances are 50/50, depending on why your feathered friend could have escaped. If your bird escaped because of fear, you might never find it. However, if it’s not the case, perhaps you could locate it in animal shelters or among house sparrows.
First, you must always lock the cage door before leaving your house. Also, all the doors and windows should remain closed when your budgie is not in the cage.
Related: Why Is Your Budgie Sneezing?
Outro
While your adult or baby budgie may survive alone after escaping, this may only be for a short time. Depending on various factors, your pet bird could die in hours or days. So, knowing how to find your lost parakeet is essential because the chances of the bird returning home are small.
