Budgerigar
Photo: Richard.Fisher · CC BY 2.0

Old World Parrots

Budgerigar

Melopsittacus undulatus

LCLeast Concern Endemic to Australia
Family
Old World Parrots (Psittaculidae)
Order
Psittaciformes

Overview

The budgerigar ( BUJ-ər-ih-gar, -⁠ə-ree-; Melopsittacus undulatus), also known as the common parakeet, shell parakeet or budgie ( BUJ-ee), is a small, long-tailed, seed-eating parrot native to Australia. Naturally, the species is green and yellow with black, scalloped markings on the nape, back, and wings. Budgies are bred in captivity with colouring of blues, whites, yellows, greys, and even with small crests. Juveniles and chicks are monomorphic (the sexes are visually indistinguishable), while adults are told apart by their cere colouring and their behaviour.

Summary from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Range and habitat

Australia, except southeastern coast and Tasmania.

Range description: AviList Global Avian Checklist.

Continents

Sources and further reading

Last updated September 29, 2026.