How Long After a Budgerigar Loses Its Head Stripes Before It Breeds?

Budgerigars lose their head stripes (capping) at 3 to 4 months, and about 1 to 2 months after capping they reach sexual maturity and can breed. Young birds have striped head feathers running to the nose; at 3 to 4 months they molt for the first time and the new head feathers have no stripes, which is called capping. Since capping happens at 3 to 4 months and maturity at 4 months, they can breed soon after, but breeding is generally advised at 5 to 6 months.