Mirrors for budgies - a useful or dangerous toy?
Mirrors for budgies are anything but useful. The following article reveals the real dangers behind them and why they are not suitable toys for the birds.
The small animal guide provides useful information on keeping budgies.
Although it looks cute and may be interesting to watch for many budgie owners when the birds spend a lot of time looking at their reflection, the clear recommendation nowadays is: No mirrors for budgies!
Originally, mirrors were intended to give the impression that a budgerigar kept alone had a conspecific with whom it could play, play with or otherwise engage with. The mirror was therefore intended as an adequate substitute for a partner animal.
Another misconception is to think that a bird living alone will become trusting more quickly if only its mirror image is available to it and that it is ultimately dependent on its owner in many respects.
The fact is, however, that these lively birds naturally live in flocks and should therefore not be kept individually. A mirror for budgies, which is supposed to serve as an alternative for a playmate, is not a solution and has no place in the bird cage.
Why are mirrors dangerous for budgies?
Wellies are considered to be very curious and clever, but they are (most likely) not aware that the reflection is themselves. This can be harmful and dangerous for the birds under certain circumstances.
You can find out here what is the right way to keep budgies, whether alone or in a group:
Keeping budgies alone: Is it cruelty to animals or is it okay?
Mirror image is perceived as a rival
Some budgies think that they are facing a rival in their mirror image, who may want to dispute their territory or food. As a result, they can react aggressively and belligerently.
As a result, behavioral problems may develop, but stress and discomfort can also occur.
By the way: Just like mirrors, plastic budgerigars, which are supposed to serve as a substitute for a partner, are not suitable toys for the birds.
Own image is regarded as a mating partner
Other budgerigars have a positive attitude towards their mirror image, as they see it as a mating partner that they want to care for, caress and feed. However, this can also lead to behavioral disorders as the other bird does not react appropriately to the courtship.
Another consequence of this can be the development of life-threatening kibble inflammation. This occurs when a budgerigar wants to feed its supposed partner, which is a completely natural pair-bonding behavior in parakeets and parrots.
The bird more or less incessantly regurgitates grains in order to offer them to its mate. The regurgitated food often sticks to the mirror for a long time as a sticky mass and forms an ideal basis for various pathogens.
In addition, the constant gagging irritates the budgerigar's crop mucosa so much that it becomes inflamed and, as a result, the immune defense of the esophagus is restricted.
Conclusion: No mirrors for budgies
Experts strongly advise against using mirrors in the bird cage as a supposed partner substitute or toy, as they can cause behavioral problems as well as dangerous diseases.
Nevertheless, it can happen that budgies encounter a reflective surface when flying freely, for example. In this case, the owner should keep a close eye on how the bird behaves. If the parakeet is more preoccupied with its reflection than with its conspecifics, the mirror should be removed or covered.