Budgerigar
Also known as:
Shell Parakeet, Parakeet, Budgie
Also known as:
Shell Parakeet, Parakeet, Budgie
DID YOU KNOW?
The genus name Melopsittacus means “melodious parrot.” The species name undulatus means “undulated” or “wave-patterned.”
Size:
18-20 cm (7-7.8 in)
Weight:
22-32 g (0.8-1.1 oz)
Subspecies including nominate:
one, with many colour mutations
Colour Adult:
Both adults yellow with scalloped upper parts, yellow face, lower cheeks tipped violet/blue, more so in the female; black spots under throat; green underparts, blue tail; blue cere in male, brown in female. Beak olive/horn in colour. Eye white.
Colour Juvenile:
Immatures duller; less spots on throat or none at all; yellow forehead barred black; tail shorter. Eye dark brown.
More Information:
Content Sources:
BirdLife International
Cornell Lab of Ornithology/Birds of the World
A Guide to Parrots of the World, Juniper and Parr, 1998
Parrots of the World, Forshaw and Cooper, 1989.
Parrots of the World, Forshaw, 2006.
Parrots: Their Care and Breeding, Low, 1986.
Psittacine Aviculture, Schubot, Clubb and Clubb, 1992.
Captive Status:
Widespread in captivity.
Longevity:
15 yrs
Housing:
Not less than 76 cm (30 in) long.
Diet:
Complete kibble for budgerigars, seed mixture for budgerigars; fresh fruits and vegetables.
Enrichment:
Bathing; foot toys, destructible (non-toxic) toys, non-destructible (non-toxic plastic) toys, food-finder toys, preening toys, different texture and size hanging perch toys, fir branches, push-and-pull toys (sliding up and down), vegetable-tanned leather toys.
Nest Box Size:
8″ x 6″ x 6″ (20.3 cm x 15 cm x 15 cm) or 6″ x 6′ x 6″ (15 cm x 15 cm x 15 cm) vertical box.
Clutch Size:
4 to 8
Fledging Age:
30 days
Hatch Weight:
—
Peak Weight:
—
Weaning Weight:
—
World Population:
Unknown but reported as abundant. Increasing.
IUCN Red List Status:
Least Concern
CITES Listing:
Not categorised
Threat Summary:
Not globally threatened. Large population fluctuations occur during drought periods either from dieoff or migration. Has been helped in some areas by the introduction of watering for agriculture.
Range:
Widely distributed throughout the interior of Australia, but rare in eastern coastal districts and the extreme south west. Introduced in Florida and now number 3000 there.
Habitat:
Found in a wide range of areas in arid interior of Australia, also semi arid and subhumid parts. Some seasonal movements; northward during winter. Found in spinifex, dry mallee and mulga scrub, riverine woodland and farmland.
Wild Diet:
Ground feeders, taking grass seeds and seeds of crop plants.
Ecology and Behaviour:
Gather in large numbers, nest communally, and are frequently found at watering holes in large groups. Most active during day.
Clutch and Egg Size:
4 to 8, rounded eggs, 19 x 14 mm (0.7 x 0.5 in)
Breeding Season:
Can take place at any time of year, with pairs capable of producing more than one clutch; nests communally.
Related Links:
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