Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just got two budgies (a lovely little green female and a spirited little blue male) from a cousin who didn't want them anymore. I've got their cage setting on a table in a corner next to a window. My mother swears up and down that I'm going to make them extremely sick by putting them near a window that gets opened a good deal. I've read a quite a bit of information from other bird-owner and resource sites about being a responsible budgie owner, but I haven't seen anything as yet that mentions whether or not they should be near a draft of any kind. I do open the window (my windows are East-West facing) during the day to let a breeze through and close it after dark, but it's been in the 70s during the day and I try to close the window before it gets too cold. Their cage also get covered after a certain point at night to both keep drafts off and to help them settle in for the night. I wasn't too concerned about it until my little female started sleeping through the entire afternoon today and my mom keeps telling me it's from having the window open for part of the evening last night. So, can I really make them ill by putting them near a window? What's the best temperatures for budgies? I'd appreciate any help anyone could give.

Thanks in advance!

I hate to say it but your mother is right LOL! In every book I own on bird care (and believe me I have a most extensive library) the ones that talk about cage placement tell you not to place near a window, this is to both guard against the heat of the sun which can cause death and also to keep from drafts which cause respiratory illness in many birds.

We do have some of our cages situated near windows. We make sure the windows are not facing the rising sun and also do not open the windows for drafts. Now on the other had when it is plenty warm the windows can be open (but not only does the temperature need to be warm but the wind if there is any needs to be warm as well).

Do not keep near a window in cooler weather or in extreme heat. It is a health risk.