What is a Budgie?

Budgies are the small parrots called "parakeets" in most pet stores. I prefer to use "budgie" because the name "parakeet" is not really exact, since it actually refers to any small parrot with a long tail. In other words, technically speaking, all budgies are parakeets, but not all parakeets are budgies.

"Budgie" is short for budgerigar, an Australian Aboriginal word meaning "good food." Budgies are native to Australia, where they live in large nomadic flocks, often in desert areas with high temperatures and little water.

Budgies are small parrots, meaning that they have all of the traits defining parrots: a hooked bill for hulling seeds and a foot with two toes facing forward and two backward. Above the bill is a fleshy structure containing the nostrils; this is termed the cere. The legs and feet are scaly, as in all birds, and are pink in color. Each toe bears a hooked claw that assists in climbing and perching.

In wild budgies, the plumage has a yellow base color. Overlying blue color gives a light green appearance to most of the bird's body, although the head is yellow. Black barring begins on the head and continues down the back and onto the wings. There is a small violet patch on each cheek and a necklace of several black dots. The two longest tail feathers usually appear dark blue to black. The color of the cere varies according to age, sex, and breeding condition.

Budgie breeders have developed a number of color varieties. One of the most common variations is a mutation that gets rid of the yellow base color, producing blue birds with white heads instead of green birds with yellow heads. Other variations may change the color or presence of the markings or produce a "pied" (or patched) appearance. Some birds are solid yellow or white.

"Clowny" is one of the best words to describe a budgie's personality. Despite their small size, they can be quite bossy; in fact, when budgies and cockatiels interact, the budgies are usually dominant over the larger birds. Males, or cocks, are said to be more high strung. Females, or hens, are bossier than their brothers and usually dominate their mates. They also tend to chew more and must be provided with toys to chew on. Both sexes are playful and active and make loving pets if hand-tamed.

Budgies nest in cavities or holes, and captive-breeding budgies must be provided with nest boxes. The hen sits on the eggs inside the box while the cock feeds her. After the eggs hatch, the cock continues to feed the hen, who in turn feeds the chicks. Cocks make devoted fathers and have been known to kill themselves by ignoring their needs in favor of taking care of their families. Hens are aggressive during this season and have been known to kill the chicks of other broods and even other hens.

Many breeders prefer to call English budgies "show budgies" and American budgies "pet budgies" because both variety can be found in any country. Show budgies are larger than wild budgies, perhaps about the size of a cockatiel. The feathers on their foreheads are large and prominent; in some individuals they can even interfere with vision. Pet budgies are closer in form to wild budgies, although they come in as many colors as show budgies. They are relatively small, perhaps six inches long not including the tail, and the feathers on their foreheads are not as prominent as they are in show budgies. Most budgies in pet shops are pet budgies, and fetch a lower price (usually between American $10 and $20) than show budgies, which start about twice that price.