Budgerigar

1 Species Overview

Anyone interested in parrots knows the budgerigar; it is a very common parrot seen in many bird-keeping households. Many first-time viewers notice its call is not especially pleasant, but that is not its selling point, the beautifully colored plumage is what wins people over.

Although the budgerigar comes from Australia, it is common worldwide for two main reasons: it is easy to care for and breed, and it has many color mutations with bright feathers, so many choose it as a pet. Generally a budgerigar can live past 7 years, and with proper care its lifespan extends considerably.

Besides the name budgerigar, it is also called the shell parakeet, undulated grass parakeet and similar names. The names Jiao Feng, long-tailed lovebird, Cai Feng, Shi Yan, Ying Ge, five-colored parakeet or Asu all also refer to the budgerigar.

Taxonomy: Chinese name Hu Pi Ying Wu; binomial Melopsittacus undulatus; kingdom Animalia; phylum Chordata; subphylum Vertebrata; class Aves; order Psittaciformes; family Psittacidae (parrots); subfamily Psittacinae; tribe Platycercini (broad-tailed parrots); genus Melopsittacus; species Melopsittacus undulatus.

2 Physical Characteristics

The budgerigar is a small species, usually about 17 cm long; captive birds are slightly larger than wild ones. Its petite body is very cute and wins many fans. Because it is small, its weight is not high either, generally around 35 g.

There are about 20 varieties; the original (wild-type) is the most common, with a yellow-green body and fine black barring on the head and back, barring like a tiger’s stripes, which gives the bird its name. Three areas are green: the chest, lower back and belly. The central tail feather is deep green, the others green.

From below the beak to the neck the feathers are yellow and unbarred; the cheeks have blue-violet oval cheek patches and the neck has near-round black spots. The sexes look similar, but can be told by the cere color: males usually have a deep blue, blue or blue-white cere, while females have a flesh-colored or ginger-yellow cere.

Among the roughly 20 varieties, the original type is most often seen; others include the greywing, yellow/white (albino) and yellowface. Different varieties differ in form, which is another reason people like them.

Other features: beak yellow and hooked; eyes round; iris black; feet zygodactyl (two toes forward, two back).

3 Habitat and Environment

The budgerigar seems picky about where it lives; wild populations are widespread in Australia but scarce as wild flocks in other countries. In China, for example, they are almost all captive, and the few that escape cages usually die from failing to adapt.

To find them, look at farms, forests, scrub or grassland, usually near water. In nature they travel in flocks of dozens to hundreds, sometimes even over ten thousand, a spectacular sight; if startled, the whole flock flies off.

Wild budgerigars feed on a schedule: at first light they drink, then forage through the morning; at midday when the sun is strong and hot they rest in shade and resume feeding as it cools; after dusk they return home. Their body color blends with the environment so they are hard to spot while feeding.

In captivity, choose the cage carefully; a metal cage is best because other materials may be chewed through. Adjust care by season, for instance avoid direct sun in summer and keep warm in winter. To keep the bird healthy, also clean the cage promptly and keep drinking water clean.

4 Care Highlights

Many are drawn to budgerigars by their beauty, and because they are relatively easy to keep and not hard to breed compared with many parrots, plenty of people choose them as pets. Note, however, that if you want a talking parrot, the budgerigar may not be the best choice, as it is not among the strongest talkers; some individuals do learn words, but speech is not its forte.

5 Feeding Highlights

Feeding is a key part of keeping budgerigars; a sensible diet keeps the bird healthy, while a poor one causes problems. Wild budgerigars eat many things, such as plant seeds, sprouts and even tender leaves. In captivity, owners typically offer a balanced seed mix (millet-based) as the staple, supplemented with fresh leafy greens and the occasional piece of vegetable or fruit, while always providing clean drinking water.

A cuttlebone or mineral block should be available to supply calcium and help wear the beak. Avoid avocado, chocolate, caffeine and salty or sugary human foods, which are toxic or harmful to parrots. Feed measured portions and remove uneaten fresh food before it spoils.