If you really must have dowel perches, buy ones in a variety of diameters. When kept like this, budgies really aren't very good pets, and rarely live beyond a few years when they have to be replaced. The truth is, when kept with the same care as bigger parrots, budgies make just as good pets. It's really a shame so few budgies ever reach their potential. Otherwise they get quite lonely.
Budgies are quiet birds.
The males, especially, are pretty good talkers. Teaching them their first few words can be difficult, however once the first words are learned many budgies quickly learn more. Budgies are active, playful little birds. A very tame budgie is also cuddly, loving to have it's head scratched. Tame budgies love being out of the cage and doing things with you.