Other Budgie Harms
Air Fresheners
Many air fresheners contain volatile oils in the fragrance which can be deadly to budgies. Particularily dangerous are plug-in style fresheners which are continually pushing these oils into the air and car air fresheners which can contain high concentrations of these oils.
Bathrooms
Bathrooms contain several danger spots particularily drowning spots like toilets and filled bathtubs and sinks. Budgies may also get into cleaning supplies or other chemicals many people store in bathrooms.
Bookshelves
An exploring budgie may accidently fall behind books in a bookshelf. It is best to push all books against the back of the shelf to avoid this danger.
Candles
The flame of a candle is a very serious threat to a loose budgie. Never burn candles when your budgie is out. And like air fresheners, avoid scented candles that contain volatile oils as several budgie deaths have been linked to their usage.
Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans have been the cause of many serious injuries and deaths of pet budgies. An unsuspecting budgie can easily fly into the rotating blades of a moving ceiling fan. In general if the budgie is out - the ceiling fan stays off.
Children
Young children can be a threat to budgies. Many children are loud and make sudden movements which can frighten a budgie into flight. And children often are not aware of the tenderness a budgie needs and can grab or squash a budgie accidently. Children may also let the budgie out of its cage. It is best not to have children playing with your budgie unless you are around to supervise or the child has been properly trained on how to act around the budgie.
Cold/Drafts
Cold temperatures and drafts can cause sickness like colds and even pneumonia in budgies. Avoid drafts including drafts from air conditioners.
Cracks or Holes in Walls
Curious budgies can find their way into tiny spaces and can get lost or stuck inside walls. Try to patch or cover any cracks or holes in your walls to avoid this danger.
Cupboards and Drawers
Curious or nesting budgies often find cupboards and drawers fascinating hangouts. If accidently closed inside, a budgie can suffocate or starve. Also cabinets and drawers may not have been budge-proofed and could hold other dangers.
Dogs and Cats
Although many budgie owners have found ways of owning both budgies and dogs or cats, a good rule is never leave the budgie and dog or cat together in a room unsupervised.
Doors
Door are another common harm spot for budgies. Many budgies like to perch on high spots like door tops and can get caught or crushed if the door is shut on them. Budgies who like to play on the floor can be hurt or killed if a door is opened suddenly and they happen to be in its path on the other side.
Drunk People
Drunk people can be a serious hazard to birds. Intoxicated people can terrorize budgies and do alot of other really stupid things like giving alcohol to them or letting them out of their cages unsupervised.
Electrical Cords and Outlets
Most budgies like to chew and a budgie chewing an electrical cord often has deadly consequences. Try to keep electrical cords unplugged and out of chewing range for your budgie and use plastic outlet covers for outlets.
Feet
Many a budgie has been accidently stepped on. Always look before stepping if your budgie is out. Tame budgies in particular tend to follow their human friends around and do not fare well against the full weight of a human footstep.
Full and Half-Full Beverage Glasses
A full or half-full beverage glass can temp a thirsty budgie who when unsupervised could fall into the liquid and drown.
Halogen Lamps
Halogen bulbs burn VERY hot. A budgie who would land on a Halogen lamp not only runs the risk of catching fire, but also of severe burns from the heat of the lamp alone. Halogen lamps are also a general fire risk when too close to the ceiling, draperies, curtains, etc. Never leave a Halogen lamp on when you are not in the room, and never have a halogen lamp on if you have flighted budgies - the risk is too great.
Heat/Sunlight
A budgie whose cage gets direct sunlight all day is at risk of heat stroke. Always allow some shade for your budgie. And when temperatures outdoors begin to rise, either open screened windows for some breeze circulation or turn on the air conditioner to maintain a good temperature.
Open Windows and Doors
Even budgies with clipped wings can usually make their way out of an open window or door. Many a budgie owner has lost their little friend to a quick departure out of an open window or door. And the instinctual reaction for a frightened and confused budgie is to try and fly to the highest spot which often lead them flying out of view within a few seconds never to return. A good rule of thumb is if the budgie is out - the windows and doors stay closed.
Sharp Objects
Sharp objects can cause puncture wounds or cuts on a budgie. Keep these objects out of your budgies access.
Stovetop Cooking
Beside dangers associated with non-stick cookware, stovetop cooking when a budgie is out can be a serious danger. Budgies can accidently fall into boiling pots and frying fans or onto hot burners and suffer serious burns if not death. The safest rule for this is don't have your budgie in the kitchen when cooking.
String, Thread, Yarn/Crocheted and Knitted Items
Budgies can get caught up in these things and strangle or injure themselves trying to get free.
Trash Bins/Wastebaskets
A budgie may accidently fall into a trashcan and if unable to make it out on their own may starve, or have a heart attack from fear. Use covered baskets if possible or baskets with climbable surfaces so the budgie could climb out if they did fall in.
Unclipped Wing Feathers
This is a highly debated topic, but many agree that an unclipped budgie is an accident waiting to happen. Unclipped budgies are more likely to fly away . But even clipped budgies if the clip is not maintained properly can be in line for a tragedy.
Windows
Windows are especially dangerous to an unclipped budgie. A frightened or feisty budgie that flies into a window can break their neck or suffer a serious concussion. Hanging curtains or blinds can help a budgie to recognize it as a barrier.
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