Budgerigar: Birds Characteristics, Color, Lifespan, Price

The budgerigar is a very popular bird and kept mainly as pets in many areas around the world. It is also known by some other names in many different parts around the world such as shell parakeet, common parakeet, or simply as budgie.

The budgerigar is actually a small, long-tailed, and beautiful seed-eating parrot which is native to Australia. These birds are naturally green and yellow in coloration with black, scalloped markings on the nape, back, and wings.

Today the budgerigar birds are bred in captivity with numerous coloring such as whites, blues, greys, and even with small crest. It is possible to differentiate the male and female birds in adults by their cere coloring and also their behavior, but not possible for the juveniles and chicks.

The budgerigar bird species is monotypic, which means this is the only member of the genus Melopsittacus, which is the only genus in the Melopsittacini tribe. And the bird is closely related to lories and the fig parrots.

Origin

Exact origin of the budgerigar’s name is not clear. The name was first recorded in 1805. And now these birds are popular pets around the world. They are highly popular among the bird lovers mainly because of their small size, low cost, and their ability to mimic human speech.

Budgerigar birds are likely the third most popular pet in the world (after domesticated dog and cat). They are nomadic flock parakeets that have been breed in captivity since the 19th century. However, budgerigars breed opportunistically and in pairs in both captivity and in the wild.

Budgerigars are naturally found in wild environments throughout the drier parts of Australia. There they have survived harsh inland conditions for over five million years. And their success can be attributed to a nomadic lifestyle and their ability to breed while on the move.

There are numerous alternative names for the budgerigar birds including the shell parrot, shell parakeet, the warbling grass parakeet, the canary parrot, the zebra parrot, fight bird, and the scallop parrot. But they are most commonly known as “lovebird”, because of their habit of close perching, mutual preening, and their long term pair-bonds.

Physical Characteristics

The wild budgerigars typically display a light green body color, while their mantles display pitch-black mantle markings edged in clear yellow undulations. The face and forehead is yellow in adults. Average body length of the mature wild budgerigar birds is about 7 inches, and they typically weigh between 30 to 40 grams.

Body color of the young birds is slightly different than the adult birds. The young birds have blackish stripes down to the cere until around their 3-4 months of age. They display small, iridescent blue-violet cheek patches and a series of three black spots across each side of their throat. The two outermost throat spots are situated at the base of each cheek patch.

Tail of the budgerigar birds is cobalt, and outside tail feathers display central yellow flashes. Their wings have greenish-black flight feathers and black coverts with yellow fingers along with central yellow flashes, which only become visible in flight or when the wings are outstretched. Their bills are olive grey in coloration, and the legs are bluish-grey, with zygodactyl toes.

The budgerigars are noticeably smaller in size than those in captivity, in their natural Australian habitat. Budgerigars have also been bred in many other colors and shades in captivity such as blue, white, yellow-blue, violet, pieds, gray etc. But the budgerigars commonly found in pet stores are blue, green, or yellow in coloration. Like most other parrot species, the budgerigar plumage fluoresces under ultraviolet light (a phenomenon possibly related to courtship and mate selection).

The color of the cere typically differs between the genders. The cere is commonly a lavender/baby blue in males, and pale brownish/white to brown in females, and pink in immature birds of both gender (but typically of a more even purplish-pink color in young males).

However, some female budgerigars develop brown cere only during breeding time, which later returns to the normal color. The young female budgerigars can often be identified by a subtle, chalky whiteness that starts around the nostrils. While the males that are either albino, lutino, dark-eyed clear or recessive pied retain the immature purplish-pink cere color for their entire lives.

The mature budgerigar male birds typically have a cere of light to dark blue. But in some particular color mutations the color can be periwinkle, lavender, purplish or pink (including dark-eyed clears, Danish pieds and inos), which usually display much rounder heads. The female budgerigar birds display more dominant behavior compared to males of the species and may act aggressively towards them.

Color Varieties

The wild budgerigar birds are naturally green and yellow in coloration with black, scalloped markings on the nape, back, and wings. But there are numerous color varieties available in the birds raised in captivity. Today, some most common and popular color varieties are whites, blues, greys, and even with small crest. You can also find many more different color varieties in your nearest pet stores.

Housing Requirements

Like all other domestic or pet birds, the budgerigars also need a safe and clean housing environment to live in. Budgerigars are typically raised in cages instead of large houses. Their cage should be big enough so that they can move easily and flap their wings. Keep their cages in a quiet and warm room with no cold wind.

Try to give them perches to sit on inside their cage. Also keep enough space for keeping food and water bowls, and some toys to play with. A cage measuring 18 inches long, 18 inches wide, and 24 inches tall is perfect for keeping a pair of budgerigars. Always try to clean the cage frequently for keeping your birds healthy.

Dietary Requirements

Feeding the budgerigars with very good and nutritious food is the most important part of keeping this birds as pets. Like all other domestic and pet birds, these birds also need healthy food to stay strong and happy. Budgerigars typically eat seeds. But for full nutrition, seeds alone are not enough. And you have to provide them a mix of seeds and special bird pellets.

Also provide your birds with fresh fruits and vegetables. Some fruits and vegetables your budgerigars like are apples, carrots, and spinach. Always try to wash the fruits or veggies before giving to your birds, and give them only small pieces. Never provide them some human foods such as avocado, chocolate, or salty foods. Because all these foods are very bad for your budgerigars’ health.

And along with providing enough healthy and nutritious food, always try to provide them with enough clean and fresh drinking water as per their demand.

Breeding

In the wild, breeding typically takes place between June and September in northern Australia, and between August and January in the south. Although, the budgerigars are opportunistic breeders and they respond to rains when grass seeds become most abundant.

These birds are monogamous, and they typically breed in large colonies throughout their range. They typically show signs of affection to their flockmates by preening or feeding one another. Budgerigars make nest in the holes of trees, fence posts or logs laying on the ground.

Female budgerigars typically lay 4-6 eggs, and it generally take between 18-21 days to hatch the eggs. They typically lay eggs on alternate days. And after the first one, there is usually a two-day gap until the next.

Behavior

The budgerigar birds are usually very happy, playful, and friendly birds. They typically like to sing, chirp, and talk in their own way. In some cases, some budgies can even learn to say a few words. Like other pet birds, they also love to play with toys, climb, and swing.

Budgerigars are smart birds and they enjoy spending time with people and other birds. They typically move around a lot and make soft sounds when they are happy. But if any of your bird is quiet all time or stay still, then it may be sick or sad. These birds typically need love, playtime, and attention every day.

Lifespan

Average lifespan of a budgerigar is typically between 5 to 8 years. But pet budgerigars with excellent care can live for 10-15 years or even more. Actually, lifespan of a budgerigar depends on their diet, exercise, environment, and regular veterinary checkups.

Price

Depends on numerous factors (such as color mutations, age, and breeder) and exact price can vary from place to place. For example, average price of a budgerigar in the United States typically ranges from $20 to $50 at major pet retailers like Petco and PetSmart.

PetSmart lists fancy parakeets at $39.99. While Petco offers green and blue budgies for around $49.99, and fancy budgies for around $29.99. ​Some rare show quality budgies may cost even more and heir price can be between $50 and $150, and even more in some cases.

If you are planning for having a pair of budgerigar birds, then you should consider additional costs for a cage, food, toys, and veterinary care also. These initial expenses can typically range from $250 to $350. And annual maintenance cost can vary between $215 and $350.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

People often ask several questions regarding the budgerigar birds. Here we are trying to list the most common questions related to this bird species, and trying to answer them. Don’t hesitate to ask if you have more questions.