The budgerigar, also known as the common parakeet, shell parakeet or budgie, 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, while adults are told apart by their cere colouring and their behaviour.
Region
Australia
Typical Environment
Found across the arid and semi-arid interior, especially open grasslands, spinifex, and lightly wooded areas near water. They avoid dense forests and high alpine zones, concentrating where grasses are seeding after rains. Budgerigars are highly nomadic, often irrupting in large numbers where conditions are favorable. They regularly visit waterholes and may forage in agricultural edges for spilled grain.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Arid
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 4/5
Budgerigars are highly social parrots that form large flocks and are famous for their ability to mimic human speech. In the wild they are naturally green and yellow with black scalloping, but selective breeding has produced many color mutations in captivity. Sexes can be told apart by the cere: typically blue in adult males and brown to tan in adult females. They are nomadic in arid Australia, moving widely in response to rainfall and seeding grasses.
Anatomy of a male budgerigar
A flock of wild budgerigars in flight at Mount Hope, New South Wales, Australia
Distribution map of budgerigar in Australia Distribution area .mw-parser-output .legend{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .legend-color{display:inline-block;min-width:1.25em;height:1.25em;line-height:1.25;margin:1px 0;text-align:center;border:1px solid black;background-color:transparent;color:black}.mw-parser-output .legend-text{} Frequent occurrence Occasional occurrence Climate region key Equatorial Tropical Subtropical Grassland Desert Temperate
The chicks and eggs of budgerigar in nest box
A three-week-old chick beginning to develop feathers and adult coloration.
Exhibition style "budgie" (left), as compared to pet-type budgerigars
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
fast, undulating flight with rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Forms large, noisy flocks that move widely in search of food and water. Generally monogamous with strong pair bonds and frequent mutual preening. Nests colonially in tree cavities, fence posts, or similar hollows, often near water. Breeding is closely tied to rainfall and food availability.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A rapid mix of cheerful chirps, trills, and chatters delivered continuously when active. Males especially produce varied, musical phrases and can mimic environmental sounds and human words.
