Budgerigar << buhj uhr ee GAHR >> is a small parrot, or parakeet, that lives in central Australia. It is also called the budgie, budgerygah, or shell parakeet. Budgerigars are kept as pets all around the world. Loading the player...
Budgies playing in a cage
The birds grow to about 8 inches (200 millimeters) in length. Wild budgerigars are green with yellow throats and foreheads, blue tails, and blue spots on their cheeks. People have bred budgerigars of many other colors. People can tell the sex of adult budgies by the color of the skin at their nostrils. In males, the skin is bluish. In females, it is brownish.
Budgerigars are native to the Australian mainland. They are mostly found in open habitats near water. Wild budgerigars live in flocks and migrate widely. They feed mainly on grass seeds on the ground.
Females nest in holes in trees or posts. They lay three to eight white eggs. Chicks are fed by their mother until they learn to fly.
Budgies make good pets. Like other parakeets, they are playful and clever. They can even learn to say words.
