Budgerigar
Melopsittacus undulatus
- 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.
Sources and further reading
- Wikipedia: Budgerigar
- eBird: sightings, maps and photos
- xeno-canto: sound recordings
- Birds of the World: full species account (subscription)
- BirdLife DataZone: status and threats
- IUCN Red List (threat status)
- AviList global checklist (taxonomy)
Last updated September 29, 2026.