Why is my budgie cutting paper in his cage?
How can I understand that my budgie is happy?
It’s not uncommon for budgies (parakeets) to engage in shredding behavior, which can include cutting paper with their beaks. This behavior is natural for birds, as in the wild they would use their beaks to shred and cut up various materials for nest building, foraging, and other activities.
However, if you notice your budgie engaging in this behavior excessively or with great intensity, it could be a sign of boredom or stress. In captivity, budgies can become bored and restless without enough mental and physical stimulation, leading to the development of unwanted behaviors such as excessive shredding, biting, and screaming.
To help your budgie satisfy their natural shredding behavior and prevent boredom, you can provide them with plenty of toys and other objects to play with and chew on, such as paper strips, bird-safe wood blocks, and cardboard tubes. You can also provide them with plenty of out-of-cage time to fly and explore their environment, as well as plenty of social interaction with you and other birds.