For those whose ears are accustomed to the melodious voices of parakeets, a house will not be a home without a parakeet. Parakeets, tiny chatterboxes, are one of the most popular pets around the globe. These feathered friends have been domesticated over the years, and most of them are bred in captivity.
Sometimes, parakeet parents mistakenly think that leaving them in the wild is more suitable for them or they will be happier in the wild, but they may wonder if parakeets survive in the wild. If you also need an answer to this question, read on and clear out all your confusion.
Let’s kick off this blog to answer the basic question—can parakeets survive in the wild?
Can Parakeets Survive in the Wild?
Yes, parakeets can survive in the wild. They used to live in the wild when they were not domesticated. There are many more who are still enjoying the tranquility—and uncertainty—of the wild. But when it comes to pet parakeets, it is not suggested to leave them without assessing the dangers they may face.
It could be life-threatening for your birdie, plus it will result in environmental issues and imbalance the ecosystem. Also, it is not clear whether they would stay alive and for how long? Much depends upon where you live, and the prospects of your parakeets surviving in that specific setting you are allowing her to explore.
Before you set her free, assess the factors mentioned in the lines below.
What Are the Factors That Affects the Survival of Parakeets?
The survival of your little pal depends on several factors, but nothing can ever assure you that they will certainly get through the threats of the wild. If your feathered friend has been kept in captivity since its birth, it will be more prone to struggling in the wild than a parakeet which has been captured from the wild. The latter can easily adjust and survive in the wild somehow.
There are some factors on which the survival of your parakeet may depend. These factors will give you some idea of how your parakeet will respond when set free in the wild.
Access and Availability of Food
A domestic parakeet will face difficulty in finding food and struggle in knowing where water is. Since it has grown up with dedicated parakeet food, water, and healthcare readily available, she might end up where you dread her to be ended up.
Make sure that there are enough avenues available to it for food and water in the ecosystem before setting it free.
Flying Skills and the Ability to Navigate the Landscape
Your parakeet’s wing muscles might not be strong enough or may not be developed enough to fly efficiently; it will reduce its stamina and the ability to navigate the landscape.
It is a no-brainer. Your parakeet has lived its life only exploring the corners of its cage—or better, your home. In the wild, it is all flying and navigating the sky to find opportunities.
Local Predators and the Ability to Avoid or Overcome Them
It might not even know that predators exist and how to protect itself in case of contact with them. Most probably, it will fall prey to them. Parakeets that are used to living in the wild have developed different mechanisms for how to endure threats and avoid falling prey to predators.
Ability to Adapt to the Hardships of the Wild
The wild is, well, a wild place. A domestic parakeet might not have the ability to cope with the issues it might face in the wild. It may not be trained enough to predict actions that can ensure its survival there.
How They Were Born
If your feathered friend has been kept in captivity since its birth, it is more prone to die as compared to a parakeet that was captured from the wild. When they are born, their mothers train them, in their own ways, for what it means to be in the wild. They teach their children how to fly, what is a threat, and what is the prey. A parakeet that has lived all its life in captivity will bound to struggle—at least in the beginning.
Lastly, is it just one parakeet? Parakeets cherish company; in the wild, they live in packs—at times, of 100. If it is just one parakeet, it is better to be in captivity than set free in the wild.
What to Do Instead of Leaving Parakeets in Wild
It will be more kindhearted of you if you want to leave your birdie in a natural environment, but it will not be suitable for your little fellow. So, what to do instead?
You should try as much as possible to give your birdies the best life and enrich their lives with affection while keeping them in captivity. Give them enough space so that they can explore some distances and do exercise more often.
If you are unwilling to keep your bird, and as we have already discussed the repercussions of setting it free, it is better if you could give it away to some friend or anyone you know who is also a bird lover. They would take good care of your birdie, and you won’t feel guilty for letting it go.
Failing in this, you can give your birds to bird and parrot rescue teams, but you must verify that they are reputable ones and can take care of them before handing over your birdies to them.
Furthermore, if you feel that they are not happy indoors, you can try keeping them outside. But the question is, can parakeets live outside? Let’s look closer into the details.
Can Parakeets Live Outside?
So, can parakeets live outside? Yes, they can. But it would help if you put some safety measures before putting your birdie’s cage outside.
First of all, you must check the temperature outside. Parakeets being sensitive, can only bear temperatures ranging between 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. It means that your birdie thrives at mild temperatures.
Exposed to extreme weather, your parakeet is at high risk of catching fatal diseases. From extreme weather, we mean anything below 40 degrees and above 80 degrees. Other weather conditions like lightning, rain, hail, and direct sunlight (because parakeets tend to hang in the shade) can also prove to be dangerous for your birdie.
Most importantly, you need to ensure that there are no predators outside for your feathery friend. For this purpose, you should keep your bird’s cage at the height of at least chest or head. In this way, it will be safe from ground predators like cats and dogs. Moreover, lock your birdie’s cage carefully so that it will not escape from the cage. This small fellow can get caught by bigger birds like eagles that can hunt him down in seconds.
Overall, you can place your birdie’s cage outside if it is bored staying indoors, but only for a few hours and with all the precautions.
Can Parakeets Survive in the Wild? The Takeaway
They can, but it is not suitable for them. The chances of their survival in the wild are substantially low because parakeets kept in captivity for years are not equipped with enough skills, nor do they have the appropriate abilities required to get them through the dangers of the wild.
If you are not willing to keep it, you can give it to a friend or bird rescues to look after it. You can keep it outside for a couple of hours to breathe in the fresh air, but it must not be unattended outside at any time.
